How Much Does It Cost To Refinish Hardwood Floors?

Hardwood floors are lovely and can add a lot of charm to a house. However, hardwood floors require care and over time they can get scratched, dirty and lose their elegance. Hardwood floor refinishing can bring old hardwood floors back to their original state. Hardwood floor refinishing can sand out scratches and ground in dirt, and return the hardwood floor to its original luster.

The cost to refinish hardwood floors ranges from $1-$8 per square foot. The cost to refinish hardwood floors varies greatly depending on whether homeowners do the work themselves or hire a professional to do the work for them. When the homeowner does the work, the cost of refinishing hardwood floors is $1-$3 per square foot. When a contractor does the work, the cost to refinish hardwood floors is $3.50 to $8 per square foot. Refinishing stairs will increase overall hardwood refinishing cost by $20 per stair. Hardwood floor refinishing cost is also affected by location, the extent of refinishing the floor needs and what refinishing products are used. The cost of refinishing hardwood floors tends to be more expensive in sates with a high cost of living compared to states with a low cost of living.

The Average Cost Of Refinishing Hardwood Floors

Average hardwood refinishing cost is around $2 when homeowners do the work themselves. The average cost is around $5 when a contractor does the work. The average cost to refinish hardwood floors in a 200 square foot room is around $400 when homeowners do the work themselves. The average cost is around $1000 when a contractor does the work. The average cost of refinishing hardwood floor on stairs is around $20 per stair when done by a contractor.

How Much Does It Cost To Stain Hardwood Floors?

The cost of staining a hardwood floor is $.50-$1 per square foot. Hardwood floor staining costs vary slightly depending on if homeowners do the job themselves or if a contractor does the job. The type of stain that is used also affects the cost of staining a hardwood floor. The average cost of staining a 200 square foot room hardwood floor is around $100-$200.

Refinishing Hardwood Floors Yourself

DIY hardwood floor refinishing can save homeowners hundreds of dollars on hardwood floor refinishing costs. DIY hardwood floor refinishing is about $3 cheaper per square foot than the cost to refinish hardwood floors using a contractor to do the work. DIY hardwood floor refinishing costs $1-$3 per square foot. DIY hardwood floor refinishing is not an easy job, and many inexperienced homeowners may have difficulties doing a good job. However, there are numerous hardwood floor refinishing products on the market to help make the job quicker and easier. Some of the necessary hardwood floor refinishing products like a floor sander can be rented for an equable price. Other floor refinishing products homeowners will need are an edge or disc sander, different grades of sandpaper and a dust mask.

Refinishing Hardwood Floors Without Sanding

Sandless hardwood floor refinishing can be done on hardwood floors that are not too deeply gauged and scratched. Sandless hardwood floor refinishing cost is about half the cost to refinish hardwood floors with sanding. Sandless floor refinishing cost ranges from $.50-$3 per square foot. Sandless hardwood floor refinishing costs vary depending on whether homeowners do the work themselves or whether a contractor does the work. Sandless hardwood floor refinishing is $.50-$1 when homeowners do the work themselves. Costs are around $2-$3 when a contractor does the work. Sandless hardwood floor refinishing is easier to do than hardwood floor refinishing that includes sanding and easier for a novice hardwood floor refinisher to achieve good results with.

How To Refinish Hardwood Floors

Refinishing hardwood flooring can be difficult for a beginner. If not done correctly the floor can end up looking worse than it did before being refinished. Homeowners that are inexperienced in hardwood floor refinishing may save money by hiring a professional to do the job. For homeowners who feel they can do the job themselves, here are a few tips to remember:

Before starting, homeowners should completely empty out the room they are refinishing so it is easier to work in and everything will not end up covered in dust.
All heating vents and any doorways that will not be used should be sealed up with plastic to help prevent dust from spreading throughout the house.
All floor molding, and protruding nails and screws should be removed from the floor before the refinishing procedure starts.
When sanding the floor, be sure to wear a dust mask. Even “dustless” sanding still produces small particles of dust that are unhealthy to inhale.
After sanding is complete, be sure to vacuum thoroughly, left over dust will ruin the finish.
To have a really great looking hardwood floor you need a great hardwood floor finish. Homeowners should carefully research different hardwood floor finishing products and find the one that works best for them.
Homeowners can bring out the natural beauty of their hardwood floor by sealing it with a natural finish or change its color by staining the floor before putting on the final finish.
Hardwood floor refinishing is very messy and smelly, and usually takes 2-3 days to complete. It is best to do it during the warmer months so windows can be opened wide to ensure fumes do not build up to unhealthy levels.

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