You have the option of refinishing the material to revitalize the floor.

Refinishing hardwood floorsrequires sanding down the surface of the wood to remove the finish and any blemishes.

Use this guide for a more thorough breakdown of how much it costs to refinish hardwood floors.

Sander machine with cord passing next to person standing on hardwood floor

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

The Spruce

How Much Does It Cost to Refinish Hardwood Floors?

The price can also fluctuate depending on your region or state due to the local economy within this area.

If the floor has deep stains, they may be treated individually before refinishing begins.

cost of refinishing hardwood floors

The Spruce

Additionally, most contractors will remove baseboard shoe moldings to allowsanding equipmentto sand right up to the wall edges.

The moldings are then replaced after sanding and finishing are complete.

Sanding

Sanding grinds the wood flooring surface below the level where blemishes or treatments have penetrated.

Sanding alone typically costs about $0.50 to $3 per square foot.

This work is usually done with an upright, walk-behind power sander fitted with a sanding disc or screen.

Edge work is generally done with anedging sander or belt sander.

After sanding, the floor is thoroughly vacuumed and cleaned.

Staining

Once the floor has been sanded down, it will resemble new untreated wood.

Staining adds $1 to $3 per square foot to the final price.

Coating tends to cost about $1 to $2 per square foot.

Polyurethane finishes come in several gloss finishes, from flat to high-sheen.

Refinishing vs.

Replacing

Refinishing floors costs a lot less than replacing the floors.

Plus, fixing any mistakes could cost you more in the long run.

Dust from sanding and fumes from the stain (polyurethane) can be overpowering and cause headaches.

It’s recommended to stay off refinished hardwood completely for about six hours.

How Much Does It Cost to Refinish Hardwood Floors?Angi.

Wood Dust.Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.

Finish Odors.National Wood Flooring Association.