If you’re considering refinishing your hardwood floors, you probably have questions. We get it—refinishing is a significant investment, and you want to make sure you understand the process before committing. At Polished Jemm Floor Cleaning, we’ve been refinishing hardwood floors throughout northern New Jersey communities like Mahwah, Ramsey, Oakland, Franklin Lakes, and Wyckoff, plus Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, and Milford, PA since 2014. Over the years, we’ve answered thousands of questions from homeowners just like you.
In this guide, we’re sharing the top 10 questions we hear most often about hardwood floor refinishing—along with honest, straightforward answers that’ll help you decide if refinishing is right for your home.
1. How do I know if my hardwood floors need refinishing?
Your floors are probably ready for refinishing if you notice deep scratches that won’t buff out, areas where the finish has worn away completely (you can see bare wood), significant discoloration or water stains, or if your floors look dull even after a thorough cleaning. Generally, hardwood floors need refinishing every 7-10 years depending on traffic and care, though some can go longer.
The good news? Most hardwood can be refinished multiple times—typically 5-7 times over its lifetime, depending on the thickness of the wood. If you’re not sure whether refinishing is necessary, we offer free consultations where we can assess your floors and recommend the best solution. Sometimes a simpler service like our screen and recoat or clean and buff might be all you need.
2. How long does the refinishing process take?
For most residential projects, the complete refinishing process takes 3-5 days from start to finish. Here’s a typical timeline: Day 1 involves sanding and preparation, Day 2 is for staining (if you’re changing colors), and Days 3-4 are for applying finish coats. You’ll typically need to stay off the floors for 24-48 hours after the final coat.
The exact timeline depends on several factors including the size of the area, the condition of your floors, how many coats of finish you want, and the type of finish being used. We work efficiently to minimize disruption to your daily life, but we never rush the process—proper drying time between coats is essential for lasting results.
3. Will refinishing create a lot of dust?
Modern refinishing techniques have come a long way. We use professional-grade dust containment systems that capture the majority of dust created during sanding. While we can’t promise a completely dust-free process, our equipment significantly reduces the amount of dust that escapes into your home.
We also take additional precautions like sealing off work areas with plastic sheeting, using HEPA filters on our equipment, and doing a thorough cleanup at the end of each day. Most of our customers are pleasantly surprised by how clean the process is compared to what they expected. That said, we do recommend removing or covering any items you’re particularly concerned about, and you might find some fine dust settling in adjacent rooms.
4. Can I change the color of my hardwood floors?
Absolutely! One of the best things about refinishing is that you can completely transform the look of your floors. Whether you want to go darker for a more dramatic feel, lighter for a modern aesthetic, or try a trendy gray tone, staining gives you tons of options.
We can show you samples and even do test spots in inconspicuous areas so you can see exactly how the stain will look on your specific wood. Keep in mind that different wood species accept stain differently—oak, for instance, stains very evenly, while maple can be trickier. We’ll guide you through the options and help you choose a color that works with your home’s style and your personal taste.
5. How much does hardwood floor refinishing cost?
The cost of refinishing varies based on several factors including the size of the area, the condition of your floors, whether you’re changing stain colors, and your location. Generally speaking, refinishing is significantly less expensive than replacing your hardwood floors—usually about one-third to one-half the cost of new flooring.
We provide free, detailed estimates so you know exactly what to expect before we start any work. The investment is worthwhile when you consider that properly refinished floors can last another 7-10 years (or longer with good care) and can significantly increase your home’s value. We’re always upfront about pricing and will work with you to understand your budget and goals.
6. Do I need to move all my furniture?
Yes, the rooms being refinished need to be completely empty. We need access to every inch of your floors, including areas under furniture, along walls, and in closets. The good news is that many refinishing companies (including ours) can help coordinate furniture moving, or we can work with you to do it in stages if you’re refinishing multiple rooms.
If you’re refinishing your whole house, you might want to consider renting a storage unit temporarily. Some customers move furniture from room to room as we progress through the house. We’re happy to work with you to develop a plan that makes the process as convenient as possible for your situation.
7. Will there be strong odors, and do I need to leave my home?
Traditional oil-based polyurethane finishes do have a strong odor that can linger for several days. However, we also offer water-based finishes that have minimal odor and dry much faster. Many of our customers choose water-based products specifically because they can stay in their home during the process.
If you’re using oil-based finishes, we typically recommend staying elsewhere for at least the first night, especially if you have young children, pets, or anyone with respiratory sensitivities. The smell will gradually dissipate over the following week. We can discuss the pros and cons of different finish types during your consultation so you can make an informed choice based on your circumstances.
8. What’s the difference between refinishing and resurfacing?
Great question—these terms get used interchangeably, but they mean different things. Refinishing (or resurfacing) involves sanding down to bare wood and applying new stain and finish. This addresses deep scratches, stains, and damage.
Screen and recoat (sometimes called buffing and recoating) is less intensive. It involves lightly abrading the existing finish and applying a fresh topcoat—perfect for floors in good shape that just need refreshing. We also offer clean and buff services for floors that simply need deep cleaning and polishing without any new finish.
During your consultation, we’ll assess your floors and recommend the right level of service. Sometimes the less intensive option saves you money while still giving you great results.
9. How do I care for my floors after refinishing?
Proper care after refinishing will help your investment last as long as possible. For the first week, avoid walking on the floors in shoes and don’t put furniture back until we give you the go-ahead (usually 3-5 days). Wait at least two weeks before putting down area rugs—the finish needs time to fully cure.
Long-term care is straightforward: sweep or vacuum regularly to prevent dirt from scratching the finish, clean up spills immediately, use felt pads under furniture legs, and avoid harsh cleaners. We’ll provide you with detailed care instructions and product recommendations when we complete your project. With proper maintenance, your refinished floors can look great for a decade or more.
10. Can all hardwood floors be refinished?
Most solid hardwood floors can be refinished multiple times, but there are exceptions. Engineered hardwood has a thin hardwood veneer over plywood—depending on the veneer thickness, it might only be refinished once or twice, if at all. Very thin or previously refinished floors might not have enough wood left to sand again.
We can determine if your floors are good candidates during a consultation. We’ll measure the wood thickness and check for any issues that might complicate refinishing. If your floors can’t be refinished, we’ll be honest about it and suggest alternatives. Our goal is always to give you the best solution for your specific situation, not to sell you a service you don’t need.
Ready to Transform Your Hardwood Floors?
Now that you have answers to the most common refinishing questions, you’re better equipped to make an informed decision about your floors. At Polished Jemm Floor Cleaning, we bring over a decade of experience to every project, treating your home with the same care we’d give our own.
Whether you’re in northern New Jersey, New York City, Long Island, or the Milford, PA area, we’re here to help you restore your hardwood floors to their original beauty—or make them even better than when they were first installed.
Ready to get started? Call Polished Jemm Floor Cleaning at (570) 526-2710 for a free consultation and estimate. Let’s bring your floors back to life.