sanding wooden floors cost

2021/05/21

Refinishing parquet floors costs $2 to $6 per square foot, depending on the type of refinishing and if any repairs are needed. Water-based topcoat dries clear but costs a bit more, at $25 to $50 a gallon, and only takes between two and four hours to dry. The cost for refinishing wood stairs averages about $40 to $75 per stair tread. You may not find refinishing prices this low, but the cost to polish hardwood floors can cost as low as $100 for small spaces, especially if you rent the polisher yourself. Remember that it will take a professional about five hours total to refinish 100 square feet of flooring, so factor in the time commitment when deciding whether to do this project yourself. Here are some important details to note: Oak: Most common and durable type of hardwood floors and easy to refinish, Cherry: Common, durable, and the wood's smooth service makes it a simple refinishing project to refinish, Parquet: Requires specialty sanding due to the inconsistent grain, Engineered Hardwood: A professional should handle the specialty sanding of the thin top layer, Pine: Softer than other woods and require special sanding care, Maple: Can be difficult to stain without a blotchy result, Mahogany: Require slow, delicate sanding to avoid damaging dark hue, Bamboo: Must be sanded at an angle in the first round to prevent splintering. These numbers come from the combined cost of the job from start to finish, including sanding, staining, and finishing. Let's start by breaking down the three main steps of refinishing hardwood floors: sanding, staining, and recoating. Get free custom quotes from qualified pros in your area. Your opinion matters! Repairs to these mistakes can end up costing more than the original project. Refinishing hardwood can be undertaken by anyone with some experience handling power tools and performing DIY projects, but it's wise to enter into the work with a full understanding of what's involved. For exotic hardwood floors, look for professionals with experience refinishing that species of wood. How do you handle damages that happen on the job? Wood refinishing jobs typically removes pet stains, water damage, scratches, dings, fading, sun damage, discoloration. This is generally not included in the estimate for a project, and if the contractors have to take care of this themselves, they may charge a premium for the service. However, you do not need to sand if you are simply recoating or polishing floors without underlying damage. Always leave engineered floor finishing to the professionals to avoid damaging the thin layer of real wood that tops the flooring. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. The topcoat is applied with a brush and roller or finish pad, and it usually includes two or even three coats. Sanding is followed by the application of stains and finishes, which can smell terrible and be toxic to the interior air quality of the space for short periods of time. *The cost of labor increases for smaller spaces due to minimum job fees. Tackling floor refinishing yourself is not recommended for those new to DIY home repairs. The average cost to sand, restain, and refinish wood floors is $2 to $7 per square foot. They aren't capable of sanding past deep blemishes. Whether you try to refinish your hardwood floors yourself or have a professional contractor do it (often the better choice), the process will follow a logical sequence. Professional hardwood floor refinishing costs $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot without staining. However, you could end up with some bulk savings if you choose to refinish a larger area of your floors all at once.

Hardwood floor refinishing involves sanding the surface layer to remove the old finish and any scratches, dings, or minor discoloration. Removing carpet or other flooring: If the hardwood you want to have refinished is beneath old carpet, vinyl flooring, or another material, the refinishing contractor will charge extra to remove it for you. Removing carpet from stairs adds $7 to $10 per step. As we'll mention below, DIY costs for renting a sander and gathering tools can cost upwards of $1,000. Check with the contractor to confirm the wood will absorb the stain evenly. When leaving baseboards or shoe moldings in place, cover them with a layer of tape-backed foam to avoid scuffing the trim. Generally, you'll be able to refinish engineered hardwood only once or twice before the core layers are exposed. Start with the coarsest grit and progress to the finest grit: If the floor has minimal imperfections, start with 60 grit sandpaper instead, followed by 80 grit and 100 grit. Environmental Working Group. Engineered hardwood can still be sanded, but you'll need to take care not to grind down through the surface layer into the core. Refinishing wood floors costs $1,200 to $2,400 for the average home, regardless of wood type. Whitewashing hardwood floors costs $2 to $7 per square foot and requires sanding to remove the old finish and then applying a light wash and clear polyurethane topcoat instead of a darker stain.

It may look a bit like painting a room at first glance, but the hardwood sanding process adds a complicated layer that requires a professional eye. Overall, professional floor refinishers will charge anywhere from $3 to $8 per square foot. For example, screening and buffering take off the top layer of polyurethane but don't cut into the wood below. Rent a drum floor sander from your local hardware store or flooring company for between $50 and $80 per day. This involves sanding down the surface past any finish or blemishes, reapplying color treatments, and sealing it with a top-coat finish. The price fluctuations come down to the unique needs of each wood or manufactured material. These include: Hiring a professional floor refinisher near you may cost more than doing it yourself, but it is oftenif not alwaysworth the cost. Millions of people ask HomeGuide for cost estimates every year. The better the structural condition of the floor, the more cost-effective the refinishing job will be. However, eventually, even solid hardwood is going to wear down to the point where it's too thin to be sanded again safely. For floors with a dull sheen and only minor scuffing, consider screening and recoating instead. *Look for discounted weekend rates. Refinishing oak, cherry, or pine floors costs $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot without staining or $2 to $7 per square foot with staining. DIY cost to refinish hardwood floors yourself - chart. When it's time to refinish, restain, or simply freshen up your hardwood floors, you'll pay between $1,076 and $2,523or about $1,799 on average for the job. The cost will come down to: The size of the room (some pros offer bulk discounts), Other factors that affect the length of the project (i.e., drying time, local humidity, type of wood). On the other hand, you can often get a discount on a project to refinish a larger space or multiple rooms on the same visit. But while this floor favorite is both beautiful and sturdy, it can get scratched, warped, and faded over the years from typical wear and tear. Some professionals swear by the results of oil-based products, but most DIYers find water-based finishes easier to use. Find hiring guides, material costs, expert advice, how-to's and more. Follow these steps to protect hardwood floors after refinishing: Get free estimates on HomeGuide from trusted floor refinishing contractors: Get free estimates on HomeGuide from trusted pros: Let us know about your needs so we can bring you the right pros. When the time comes to fully refinish your floor, expect to pay an average of $1,800 depending on the size, shape, and style of your hardwood. Also, between the odors and dust, the process can be a bit disruptiveso many a game plan for staying elsewhere if necessary. You will also have to purchase stains, finish, and any brushes or sprayers that will be required to apply them. Laminate floors feature a top layer of veneer that is too thin for sanding. There can also be a purely regional factor at work; for example, labor in the Northeast is often more expensive than it is in the South. Wear breathing protection, such as a particle mask, when sanding and cleaning up the dust. Refinishing engineered hardwood floors costs $2 to $6 per square foot on average. You can take a different route with lightly worn floorboards by cutting out the sanding and staining process. Engineered floors may be sanded and refinished 1 to 5 times, depending on the wear layer's thickness. Common mistakes include: Scratching the wood with the edge of the sander, Ignoring major repairs before refinishing. How much will your floor refinishing cost? Its better to hire a flooring pro near you. Using the correct color, variety, and application tools is crucial. ), Finish application brushes and rollers: $50. You may also get away with a thorough polishinga great DIY job without the risk of floor damage. Sanding incorrectly may cause uneven floors or deep gouges in the wood, requiring the replacement of individual planks or the entire floor. Depending on the wood species, some people prefer to apply a surface finish directly over the bare wood. Speak with your prospective floor professionals about how supply chain issues can affect the cost of hardwood floorboard replacement, stain and topcoat, and necessary tools for the refinishing process. Sanding parquet floors requires special care from a professional because the wood grain runs in several directions. If your floors suffered effects of humidity, water damage, fading from the sun, or major scratches from furniture, bump up the date to ensure your floors are protected. Your refinishing project also presents a great opportunity to repair any underlying structural issues, scratches, or stains, so remember to budget for the cost of hardwood floor repairs into your final total. This can not only prolong the project but can also inflate the cost. Let's take a look at a few common projects and price ranges. Looking for a hardwood floor refinisher near you? Larger projects that involve multiple floors may require several days of work, in which case you'll pay between $100 and $200 for a weekend or around $250 for the whole week. Local labor costs: In general, contracting companies located in large metropolitan areas are going to charge more for a hardwood refinishing project, mostly because the demand for their services is higher. Can you provide references and testimonials? The process adds between $1 to $3 per square foot to the final cost, broken down between labor and the cost of materials. Sanding: This is the process of grinding the wood flooring surface down to below the level where any blemishes or treatments have penetrated. Not all hardwood species are suitable for staining. The cost jumps a bit to between $5 and $8 per square foot for the less-disruptive dustless refinishing methoda process that requires commercial vacuums. Laminate vs. Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. Regions with larger homesand therefore more square footagemay see higher prices in the end than those with one-bedroom apartments in Manhattan. Hardwood floors should be refinished every 7 to 10 years, depending on thickness, species, and age. Solid Wood vs. What are your payment terms and schedule. Avoid cleaning products containing vinegar or ammonia, which dull the finish. In addition to the size and shape of your room, damage that requires extra care or wood that calls for a special finish could affect the costs. Read our, Average Costs for Refinishing Hardwood Floors, Solid Hardwood vs. Lowe's does not offer hardwood floor refinishing services but rents floor sanders for DIY refinishing. Make sure you get an estimate on those costs.

The cost to buff and recoat hardwood floors is $1.00 to $2.50 per square foot. Get at least three free quotes in-person from flooring pros to compare. Refinishing the floors is typically cheaper than installing new carpet, depending on the wood flooring condition. Sanding: A drum sander removes the topcoat of stain and levels any remaining minor scratches, stains, or inconsistencies. With extensive projects, people sometimes opt to leave for a few days while the dust settles and the fumes clear. When chatting with potential pros, ask: Do you have experience refinishing my specific type of flooring? Sandless refinishing uses chemicals to etch the old finish off, followed by a tinted finish that hides scuff marks and restores the wood's color and sheen. Renting a floor sander costs $60 to $70 per day or $230 to $270 per week. During application of finishes, wear whatever breathing protection is recommended by the manufacturer, and provide as much ventilation as you can. DIY sanding voids the warranty. While the price to refinish engineered floors is about the sameat $3 to $6 per square footit does take professional experience to pull off the delicate removal. The average cost to polish hardwood floors is $40 to $80 for supplies, plus $50 to $80 per hour to hire a local handyman. Need professional help with your project? After sanding, contractors may add a stain to change the wood color, then apply a clear finish to seal and protect the floor. If you happen to live in a very humid climate, then the process of drying stains and finishes can take significantly longer. Refinish an entire apartment or more than one room in your house once you go over $2,500. Most contractors sand and refinish 400 to 1,000 square feet per day, not including drying and curing time for the finish. The variety of wood on your floors will affect the cost as well. The cost comes with a caveat, however. Hardwood floor refinishing costs by option - sand, stain, and finish vs. buff and recoat - chart. This may mean that the project stretches out over more days, making the rooms inaccessible for long periods of time while they dry. What are your safety and ventilation procedures? You'll see prices ranging from $1 to $2.50 per square foot. You can also refinish your floors after removing wall-to-wall carpeting or after significant disrepair from traffic, sun, or water damage. If you're up for moving it yourself, this will cut down your final bill. Recoating removes minor scuffs and scratches on the surface and adds a new sheen to dull floors. Search for licensed contractors with hardwood floor refinishing experience. The high cost is because these are small surfaces that require skilled, time-consuming detail work. The sanding work usually takes several passes with progressively finer sandpaper. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Oil-based topcoat costs $20 to $40 per gallon, adds a slight amber hue to your floor, and takes up to 10 hours to dry. Wood Stains and Finishes. If you discovered damaged floorboards before starting the refinishing process, be sure to address these flooring repairs first.

If the floor has deep stains, they may be treated individually before refinishing begins. Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 18,379 HomeAdvisor members. Since labor plays a significant role in the cost of refinishing hardwood floorsas much as 80% or $2 to $5 per square footbe sure to get a few estimates to compare prices. Add felt tabs or pads to the bottom of furniture legs to prevent scratches and scuffing. The cost to refinish hardwood floors varies widely based on several factors, from the size of the room to how much TLC your floorboards need to restore them to their original beauty. Alternative methods to redo hardwood floors are typically cheaper, but do not remove deep scratches, stains, or discoloration. refinishing refinish varathane sanding renewal remodeling familyhandyman repairs handyman feedproxy Never use paint to whitewash a floor. Between polishes and refinishing, properly cleaning your floors will lengthen the time between visits from the flooring team. Receive quotes from multiple pros that meet your exact needs. After sanding, contractors apply multiple coats of clear finish seal and protect the floor. Polyurethane finishes come in several different gloss finishes, from flat to high-sheen. Here's how to break down the prices piece by piece. Homes built before the 1920s often have thinner wood flooring. Now that you have a better sense of the floor refinishing process, it's easier to wrap your head around the quote you'll receive from your local wood flooring refinishing professional. They cost slightly less per day to rent than the upright sanders. Get free estimates from trusted hardwood floor refinishers near you.

Here are some examples of common price ranges to refinish hardwood floors across the country.

Get free estimates from floor refinishing professionals near you. The moldings are replaced after sanding and finishing are complete. Wipe spills immediately after they occur. Polyurethane finish costs around $40 to $100 per gallon depending on the thickness of the finish and the quality of the product. *Based on 369 project costs reported by HomeGuide members. Floor sander preparing hardwood floor for refinishing. All this being said, you'll likely pay between $500 to $1,000 to refinish hardwood floors yourself after renting or purchasing all the necessary materials and equipment. For best results: Between polishes and refinishing, properly cleaning your floors will lengthen the time between visits from the flooring team. It will look like a new hardwood floor and can be achieved for a fraction of the price of a new installation. Oak is the most common hardwood for flooring. Some companies will charge between $20 and $50 per room to move it for you. And it sure beats the $3 to $25 per square foot to install new engineered hardwood floors. Common factors that increase the overall cost to redo wood floors include: Sanding and refinishing hardwood floors costs $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot for labor and materials. Sanding is crucial to refinishing a floor properly. Prefinished floors are solid hardwood and can be sanded and refinished like other hardwood floorings. diss flooring Adding a new topcoat or polishing your floors is a bit more DIY-friendly, but only for confident homeowners comfortable with these tricky materials.