Many homeowners in Columbus choose to refinish their hardwood to restore the original beauty without the cost of a full replacement. If you’re wondering, how do you refinish hardwood floors? And can any homeowner do it? You're in good company. Plenty of homeowners in the area like to balance the cost and find DIY projects that can make their homes more beautiful.

Here, we'll discuss signs your floors need refinishing, what the process looks like, some pros and cons of whether to refinish yourself or call a professional, and what refinishing typically costs for Northwest Columbus homeowners.

If you’re ready to bring life back to your hardwood floors, reach out for a free consultation with our team at Floor Coverings International® of Northwest Columbus, OH.

Hardwood Refinishing Can Bring Life Back to Your Floors

Here in Columbus, we know how much homeowners value the warmth and character of genuine hardwood. However, over time, the floors can start to dull and show signs of wear. With wood refinishing, you can restore the rich texture and beautiful grain by removing scratches, dullness, and surface damage. Finishing with a fresh seal, the floors are protected for years. Can you refinish engineered hardwood floors? Yes, if the wear layer is thick enough, even engineered wood options can look fresh and new.

Homeowners choose refinishing because:

  • It's more affordable than replacing the floors.
  • It's an eco-friendly option that uses what you already have rather than replacing it with something new.
  • It works with most solid and engineered hardwood, depending on the thickness of the wear layer.

Signs Your Floor Needs Refinishing

How can you tell your floors need refinishing? In Northwest Columbus homes, floors start showing signs after years of daily foot traffic, pet wear, and exposure to sunlight.

Here are a few telltale signs to look for:

  • Visible scratches and dull spots. Everday foot-traffic, pet claws, and sliding furniture can leave your floors looking tired with scratches and surface wear. Refinishing the floor can sand away the surface marks and give the floors a smooth, fresh look.
  • Discoloration or fading. Sunlight and daily wear can cause uneven tones in your flooring. With skilled refinishing, you can even out the color and restore a consistent, rich finish throughout your home.
  • Areas where the finish has worn through. Faded or dull areas on the wood indicate the finish has worn off in spots. Refinishing can renew the protective seal to make sure your floors don’t become damaged.
  • Water stains and surface damage. Stains and light water marks can often be sanded out during the refinishing process to renew your hardwood before small issues become permanent damage.

A Step-by-Step Look at the Refinishing Process

Once you’ve decided to refinish your hardwood floors, you might be wondering what the process actually looks like. A floor renovation is exciting, but it also involves a few steps of preparation and patience. Knowing what to expect ahead of time can help make the experience smooth and stress-free.

Here are steps you can expect during the hardwood floor refinishing process:

  1. Inspection and prep work. This step checks for loose boards, nails, or deep damage. A professional eye can determine the wood type and thickness to choose the right sanding method.
  2. Sanding. Expert refinishers use a specialized machine to sand the floors in multiple passes to remove the old finish and level the surface. Professional dust-control systems also make the process cleaner than most Columbus homeowners expect.
  3. Staining. You can choose the same finish or a fresh color for your floors. You can opt for no stain and enjoy the natural color of the sanded wood.
  4. Finishing. A protective seal of oil finish or water-based polyurethane gives your floors shine and protects against damage. You'll commonly get up to 3 coats with dry times between each layer.
  5. Curing and moving back in. Floors will need to be fully cured before furniture can be brought back. You can often walk on the floors within 24 to 48 hours, but to move in the rugs and the rest of the furniture, it’s best to wait 7 days to make sure the sealant has fully cured.

Estimating your timeline: How long does it take to refinish hardwood floors? For a typical home in Northwest Columbus, professionals use 3 to 5 days total. This includes a day for sanding and preparation, another day or two for staining and sealing, with another couple of days for drying and curing.

Can You Refinish Hardwood Yourself?

Yes, but it’s not often advisable. While you can take on the project yourself, refinishing hardwood is incredibly time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Since it requires professional-grade sanding tools, protective gear, and a steady hand to avoid uneven spots or swirl marks, it’s best to know some pros and cons before deciding whether to refinish your floors yourself or call professionals.

Here are a few points to consider:

  • The pros: If you know how to refinish hardwood floors in Columbus, OH, you can save money by using your own time and effort to make the floors beautiful again. You can also take pride in caring for your home.
  • The cons: You would need to rent heavy equipment, figure out how to manage the dust, and work carefully to avoid uneven sanding or finishing streaks.

Note: Mistakes are easy to make and can permanently damage the floor's surface or lead to uneven results. Hiring professionals, like our trusted team, ensures a smoother, faster, and cleaner process with flawless results.

What Does Professional Refinishing Cost?

In Northwest Columbus, refinishing usually costs less than half the price of a full replacement. The price for professional hardwood floor refinishing commonly runs between $4 and $8 per square foot. Your estimate can be more or less, depending on the type of wood, the condition of the floor, and the type of finish you choose.

Ultimately, the cost to refinish hardwood floors professionally is affected by:

  • The floor size and layout complexity.
  • The condition of the existing wood.
  • The type of finish or stain selected.
  • Whether repair or board replacement is needed.

How Often Do Your Wood Floors Need Refinishing?

If you’re unsure how often to refinish hardwood floors, it usually depends on how busy your home is, regular foot-traffic, and the type of finish you have. Many homeowners in Northwest Columbus find that every 7 to 10 years is a good time to refinish their hardwood.

High-traffic homes with kids, pets, and busy entryways often need a touch-up sooner than low-traffic areas. And adding a rug in high-use areas can extend the life of your finish.

Ready to Refresh Your Home with Beautifully Refinished Floors?

Hardwood is a remarkably long-lasting flooring that can often be refinished several times to recapture its beautiful, like-new character. Homeowners in Columbus often compare costs and results before choosing to refinish hardwood floors DIY or professionally. If the damage isn’t severe and you have the skill, it can be a satisfying project to refresh your home.

Whether you’re looking to match your existing finish or try something new, Floor Coverings International® of Northwest Columbus, OH, works with you to help you choose stain colors that perfectly complement your interior.

If you’re ready to start fresh with refinished floors that look and feel stunning, call us at (614) 683-0300 or schedule a free in-home consultation with our team today.