Refinishing hardwood floors worth it, whether professionally done, DIYed
When Kim MuseComtois moved into her very first home, an older house in downtown Albany, transforming the dingy hardwood floors was one of the first things on the to-do list. She was convinced it was a project she could tackle with a little guidance.
“I felt confident in the fact that I could execute it with someone walking me through it,” Muse-Comtois said.
Hardwood floors have long been favored by homeowners for their timeless elegance and durability. Wood floors also provide a neutral backdrop for a variety of design styles and add value to a home. One study by the National Association of Realtors found that 54 percent of home buyers would be willing to pay more — up to $2,080 — for hardwood floors. The National Wood Flooring Association’s research has shown that two-thirds of homeowners say they want hardwood floors in their dream home.
“Real wood floors are durable, attractive and easy to clean,” said Brett Miller, vice president of Technical Standards, Training, and Certification for the National Wood Flooring Association. “If you want a truly custom floor in your home, real wood is the way to go as it offers endless design possibilities to fit your personal style. “
However, over time wood surfaces can scuff, fade, wear and warp. If your hardwood floors need a refresh you can hire a professional contractor or refinish them yourself.
When maintained properly, solid hardwood floors can last hundreds of years, making them an exceptional value, Miller said.
Hiring a professional
According to the NWFA, wood flooring is any product that contains real wood on the top-most surface and includes solid and engineered wood flooring as well as composite boards with real wood on the wearable surfaces. Solid wood flooring is made from one piece of wood from top to bottom. These strips can be sanded and refinished multiple times. Engineered and composite wood flooring features wood on the surface, but other materials below. These alternatives can be sanded and refinished, but not as frequently as solid wood flooring.
A complete sand and refinish may not be necessary.
“Over time, when wood floors start to look a little dull, they can be renewed through recoating,” Miller said.
Hiring a professional “This involves applying a new coat of wood floor finish, which the NWFA recommends doing every three to five years.
Individual maintenance schedules will vary depending on use, wear and tear and lifestyle, Miller said.
“A complete sand and refinish is recommended when there is damage to the wood floor like deep scratches, dents, or when the finish has worn away and the bare wood is exposed. The general timeline for a sand and refinish is every few decades. Again, schedules may vary depending on use, wear and tear and lifestyle.”
You can expect to pay $2 to $7 per square foot to have a professional completely finish your hardwood floor, according to data compiled by Realtor.com. The cost of labor, sanding and staining materials can vary, but most homeowners can expect to pay from $500 to $1,750 for a single 250-square-foot room.
According to Miller, refinishing hardwood floors is not for the novice. It takes time and can be messy and labor-intensive. He recommends hiring an expert.
“Applying a new coat of finish or doing a full sand and finish is a lot more complicated than painting your walls or replacing the hardware on your kitchen cabinets, so it is not recommended as a DIY project,” he
said. “You’ll want a certified wood flooring professional who has the knowledge and skills to do the job right. In the long run, you’ll save money and time by using a professional.”
DIY hardwood floor refinishing
If you’re frugal, handy and prefer to sand down your floors dents and dings yourself, it is possible, said Juan Torres, contractor and owner of 518 Painters. In additional to professional residential painting, Torres engages and guides DIY-hopefuls through a variety of home improvement projects through his blog, Youtube channel and TikTok.
“It does require a certain level of skill and patience,” Torres said. Each step of the process requires attention to detail and the use of specialized equipment. You should have some familiarity with a floor sanding and stain applicator, he said. You should also understand the various types of woods and how each species reacts to stain.
“If you’ve never refinished hardwood floors before, or if you don’t have the necessary skills and knowledge, I recommend hiring a professional to do the job for you,” Torres said. “A professional will ensure that your floors are done correctly and efficiently, without damaging the wood or leaving visible marks.”
Want to give it a go? Sanding is key in this project, said Joe Cobb, customer training manager at The Home Depot.
“Sand in the direction of the grain of wood then go over it often with fresh sandpaper. Be sure to use the proper grit of sandpaper, too. Note, as you start this project, use a more coarse sandpaper,” Cobb said.
If you are committed to DIYing it, confidence is also key, said Muse-Comtois who tagteamed her project with her partner at the time. She also sought advice from friends, family and experts at her local hardware store.
“We went to Home Depot, we rented a machine and I couldn’t even tell you how much it was, but I don’t think it was that much because if it was really expensive I wouldn’t have done it.”
Muse-Comtois estimates the pair spent about $1,000 on products and equipment — including a rented floor sander — to refinish the hardwood surface in five rooms. It took about a week to sand, stain and seal, but they were rewarded with shiny, newly-refreshed hardwood floors for a fraction of what it would have cost to hire a professional.
“It gave me pride knowing that I did it myself,” she said. “You are putting a piece of yourself in something.”
In addition to confidence, you also need to be OK with potential imperfections, she added.
“You’re putting a piece of yourself into something that is now yours,” Muse-Comtois said. If something goes awry, it can most likely be fixed. In any case, you’ll have a good story to tell. “Imperfections in your house lead to memories.”