Hardwood floors add such warmth and character to a home, don't they? But over years of foot traffic, those beautiful planks can start looking a little worse for wear. Scratches, dullness, and wear are inevitable. At that point, you've got to do something to revive that gorgeous hardwood. Two main options exist for breathing new life into hardwood floors: recoating or refinishing. Both aim to enhance the look and durability of the floors, but they're actually quite different in scope, cost, and what's involved. As a homeowner, it's crucial to understand the distinction so you can make the right call for your floors and your budget.
Recoating Hardwood Floors: A Quick Refresh
Recoating, also called screening or buffing, is a relatively straightforward way to remove surface-level wear and renew your hardwood's finish. It involves lightly sanding away scratches, dullness, and minor imperfections in the existing polyurethane or aluminum oxide top coat. This roughs up the surface enough for a fresh coat of finish to adhere properly. Here’s what a typical recoating process looks like with a professional wood floor refinishing service:
First, the floors get a deep clean to remove any gunk that could interfere with the new finish bonding well. Next, a specialized sanding machine lightly abrades the existing top coat to rough it up. After vacuuming up all the dust, the floors are hand-wiped with a tack cloth to ensure a pristine surface.
Then it's time to apply that fresh finish - usually two to three thin coats of poly or aluminum oxide, with sufficient drying time between coats. Once that final coat goes on, you've got to stay off the floors completely for 24-48 hours to allow it to fully cure.
Recoating is often the favored option because it's low-cost, causes minimal disruption, and can be completed lickety-split (we're talking a day or two in most cases). It's great for hardwoods with light to moderate wear that still have an intact finish. Recoating restores that fresh shine and protection, extending the floors' life by several years.
Pros of Recoating:
● Cost-effective compared to a full refinish
● Very little dust or mess
● Quick turnaround, usually just 1-2 days
● Preserves most of the existing poly coat
● Perfect for minor scratches and dullness
Cons of Recoating:
● Won't fix deep gouges, heavy wear, or discoloration
● Lifespan extension is limited compared to refinishing
● May not adhere well to really old, deteriorated finishes
● Uneven finish is possible if not done skillfully
Refinishing Hardwood Floors: The Full Overhaul
In contrast, refinishing hardwood floors is a much more extensive job. It involves stripping away all the existing finish right down to the bare, naked wood. This comprehensive approach is necessary for floors with heavy wear and tear, deep scratches, stubborn discoloration, or failing finishes beyond basic repair.
Refinishing is no joke - it's a full gut rehab for your floors. Here's what's typically involved:
First, you've got to clear literally everything out of the room to create an open workspace. Furniture, appliances, any obstructions - gone. Then the real work begins with a deep cleaning and dealing with any protruding nails or staples.
Next is the sanding stage using a huge floor sander. The existing finish gets completely removed, exposing the raw wood underneath. This takes multiple passes with progressively finer sandpaper grits to achieve a perfectly smooth, even surface.
The sanding kicks up a crazy amount of dust, so diligent containment and clean-up is a must before moving on. If desired, a stain can be applied to the bare wood at this point to change the color.
With the stain dry (if used), it's time to apply a brand spankin' new durable finish like polyurethane. Multiple ultra-thin coats get brushed on with ample drying time in between. But you can't set foot on those floors for at least a week to allow that fresh finish to fully cure.
Refinishing is definitely more costly and labor-intensive than a recoat. But it offers a true rebirth for floors suffering from heavy damage, wear, or an irreparably failed finish. It's like getting brand new hardwood floors.
Pros of Refinishing:
● Fixes deep scratches, gouges, and discoloration
● Completely fresh, like-new appearance
● Significantly extends the floors' lifespan
● Allows changing the wood's color if desired
● Ideal for severely deteriorated or damaged finishes
Cons of Refinishing:
● Much more expensive than recoating
● Major disruption from all the dust and mess
● Lengthy project taking a week or more
● Requires clearing room and potentially reinstalling floors
● Risk of damaging wood if not done properly
Deciding Between Recoating and Refinishing
With such different processes, a few key factors should guide your choice of recoating versus refinishing:
● The existing finish's condition - If your floors just have some minor scuffs and dullness, but the finish is relatively intact, recoating could be a good option. But if it's heavily worn, peeling, or severely discolored, you'll likely need a full refinish.
● The look you want - Going for that truly fresh, brand new hardwood floor vibe? Only refinishing can make that happen or allow you to change the wood's color. Recoating simply rejuvenates the existing finish and look.
● Your budget - Let's be real, refinishing is pricier due to the extensive labor, materials, and time involved. If your floors are in decent shape, the lower cost of recoating is appealing.
● Your schedule and flexibility - Recoating only kicks you out of the room for a day or so. But refinishing is disruptive - you may need to clear out completely for over a week while multiple finish coats cure.
● Indoor environmental concerns - Both processes use chemical finishes that release fumes. But the heavy sanding during refinishing creates much more dusty debris, which could be an issue for respiratory problems.
The best advice is to get an experienced hardwood pro involved. They can examine your floors in person and provide an honest assessment of whether recoating or refinishing is most appropriate and cost-effective for your situation. In some cases, a hybrid solution of recoating and refinishing makes sense. For instance, you could recoat the lower-traffic areas while fully refinishing damaged spots or rooms.
Summary
Well-maintained hardwood floors elevate any home's look and value. But when wear and tear inevitably take their toll, deciding between recoating and refinishing is pivotal. Opt for recoating when you simply need to revive a slightly dull or scratched finish on floors still in relatively good condition. It's economical, fast, and minimally disruptive. But if your floors are heavily damaged or the finish is just plain shot, buckle up for a full-scale refinishing project. Although pricier and more involved, it provides an essentially brand new floor when all is said and done.
