Hardwood Floor Refinishing

Hardwood floor refinishing is the process of sanding down worn wood surfaces and applying fresh stain and sealant to restore their original beauty. Whether you're dealing with scratches, fading, or years of everyday wear, refinishing can breathe new life into your floors without the cost of full replacement. Angi helps you connect with local pros and provides guidance to make your project a success.

Related to Hardwood Floor Refinishing

Hardwood Floor Refinishing Articles and Advice
Angi  •  Aug 1, 2026
Who to Hire for Hardwood Floor Repair
Wondering who to hire to repair hardwood floors? Learn which pros handle repairs, how they work, and how to choose the right contractor.
Stephanie Mickelson  •  Aug 1, 2026
How to Strip and Wax Floors: A Step-by-Step Guide
If your floors are looking a little worse for wear, use our five-step guide to stripping and reapplying wax to make it look brand new.
Mariel Loveland  •  Jul 31, 2026
How Long Does It Take to Refinish Hardwood Floors?
Planning a refinishing project? This guide will walk through how long it takes to refinish hardwood floors, including what will slow down your timeline.
Ginny Bartolone  •  Jul 31, 2026
Considering Distressed Wood Flooring? Here's What to Keep in Mind
If you've always daydreamed about the distressed wood flooring of a Victorian home, you could skip the required wear-and-tear of a few hundred years with this common design trend.
Mariel Loveland  •  Jul 31, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Refinish Hardwood Floors? [2026 Data]
It’s impossible to keep floors damage-free over the years. Thankfully, the cost to refinish hardwood floors is far less than the price tag to replace them altogether.
Lauren Bongard  •  Jul 15, 2026
How Often Should You Refinish Hardwood Floors?
Keep your wood floors looking their best. Learn how often to refinish hardwood floors, what it costs, and if you can do it yourself.
Samantha Hawrylack  •  Jul 10, 2026
How to Make Your Wood Floors Look Brand New Again
Knowing how to make wood floors look new again can save you a lot of money, and keep your home looking fresh. Here’s everything you must know.
Nick Crawford  •  Jul 10, 2026
9 Great Tips for Refinishing Your Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors improve the look and feel of your home. Refinishing them requires some work, but with these tips, your results will be better.
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Common Hardwood Floor Refinishing Questions

You should strip and wax hardwood floors every six months to two years. The actual length of time between stripping and waxing depends on the wear and tear that the floors see. Stripping and waxing floors can help repair hardwood floor damage and give the room a fresh look.

To remove deep scratches from hardwood without sanding, start by cleaning the area. Then, fill the scratch with wood filler or a wax repair stick matching the floor color. Buff it smooth with a soft cloth. Finish with a protective sealant to blend the repair with the surrounding wood. Remember, this type of fix is not permanent. It is a better idea to refinish your floors for lasting results.

Depending on the size of the area, refinishing wood floors take 2-5 days, which allows time for sanding, staining, and curing.

Even with proper floor protection, small scratches sometimes happen. If it’s just a minor scuff, you can often buff it out with a sponge and a bit of floor polish. For slightly worse scratches, there are a variety of scratch removal products that may help, including finish restorer and blending pencils.

Whether it's better to paint or refinish your hardwood floors will depend on several factors. For one, painting floors costs $2 to $4 per square foot while refinishing costs more, at around $3 to $8 per square foot.

Besides the cost differences, some floors may simply be too old or damaged for refinishing. Plus, most floors can only be refinished six to 10 times. The number can be as low as two to three times if your home was built pre-1920s. So in some cases, painting may be your only option besides reinstalling brand-new floors.