Hardwood Floor Refinishing & Dustless Sanding FAQs

What exactly is dustless sanding, and how is it different from regular sanding?

Dustless sanding uses advanced Bona equipment that captures 99% of dust particles at the source, rather than letting them circulate through your home. As a Bona Sand and Finish Certified professional with 30 years in the industry, I use specialized vacuum systems integrated directly into the sanding machines. While traditional sanding creates clouds of dust that settle throughout your house (even in sealed-off rooms), our dustless process keeps your home clean and breathable during the entire refinishing process.

How much cleanup will I need to do after dustless sanding?

That’s one of the biggest advantages – minimal cleanup required from you! With traditional sanding, homeowners often spend days cleaning dust from every surface, changing HVAC filters, and wiping down belongings. Our dustless process eliminates 99% of this hassle. You might find a light dusting on surfaces immediately adjacent to the work area, but nothing like the extensive cleanup traditional sanding requires. Most clients are amazed at how clean their homes stay during the entire 2-3 day process.

Is dustless sanding safer for my family's health?

Absolutely. Traditional wood sanding creates fine particles that can irritate respiratory systems and trigger allergies or asthma. With our Bona dustless system, we eliminate nearly all airborne particles, making it much safer for children, elderly family members, and anyone with breathing sensitivities. You won’t need to worry about dust settling on furniture, in air vents, or on personal belongings. This is especially important when refinishing older floors that may contain previous finish residues – our system captures these particles before they can become airborne.

Does dustless sanding cost more than traditional sanding?

While dustless sanding represents premium service, many homeowners find the value exceptional when they consider the time and effort saved on cleanup, plus the health benefits and convenience. As part of our commitment to “quality service at a great price,” we price our dustless services competitively. When you factor in not having to deep-clean your entire house, replace air filters, or deal with dust-related issues, the investment makes perfect sense. Send me photos of your floors for a fast, accurate estimate – most projects fall in the $2,000-$5,000 range.

What is hardwood flooring resurfacing?

Hardwood flooring resurfacing is a process of leveling your wood floors as flat as possible by professionally sanding them in a number of sequences to acquire a smooth hardwood flooring surface.

Why should I consider resurfacing my floors instead of replacing them?

Resurfacing is often more cost-effective and time-efficient compared to complete floor replacement. It can breathe new life into worn or outdated hardwood floors without the need for extensive demolition. By choosing resurfacing, you can maintain the value of your home without compromising on the quality of your flooring material.

What types of flooring can be resurfaced?

Any and all hardwood flooring surfaces of different kinds of wood species can be resurfaced. Some of the most common hardwood species include red oak, white oak, yellow pine, heart pine, and parquet flooring. Exotic hardwood species such as dark walnut, mahogany, bamboo, Brazilian cherry, birch, and others found in custom-built homes can also be resurfaced. If it’s solid hardwood flooring, it can be resurfaced.

How long does the resurfacing process typically take?

The duration of the resurfacing process varies depending on factors such as the size of the area, the type of flooring, and the chosen resurfacing method. However, many projects can be completed within a day for a room or two or small homes, and up to five days for bigger homes or estates.

Will resurfacing address imperfections in my current flooring?

Yes, the resurfacing process can remove scratches, light and some dark stains, old dirt, and grime that are ingrained on the wood flooring planks. However, it may not be suitable for addressing significant structural issues or extensive damage such as creaking floors, dark stained areas typically from pet urine, uneven areas, large gaps, or humps that already exist in the current foundation or structural underlayment.

Can I choose a different color or tones for my floors during the resurfacing process?

Yes, you can choose from a variety of colors or keep it natural. Some popular stains include dark walnut, country white, warm gray, gunstock, chestnut, provincial, Ipswich pine, cherry, and many others. You can also formulate a custom color stain of your choice.

How do I prepare my floors for resurfacing?

You will need to move all furniture, wall paintings, and electronics from the service areas. This includes removing all items out of the service areas. We can move and reset heavy furniture at an additional cost. However, you will still need to remove all small items such as clothing, emptying your drawers, and all miscellaneous items in the home. We will take care of the heavy furniture only.

Is resurfacing suitable for high-traffic areas like kitchens and hallways?

Yes, resurfacing can be an excellent option for high-traffic areas, as it can enhance the durability and longevity of your floors while providing a fresh and updated appearance.

How do I maintain floors that have been resurfaced?

Regular maintenance practices such as sweeping, vacuuming, using a Bona Mop, and using the proper Bona cleaners are essential for preserving the appearance and longevity of resurfaced floors. Additionally, following any specific care instructions provided by us can help prolong the life of your floors.

Does dustless sanding take longer than traditional methods?

Not at all – our dustless process actually works more efficiently. Most projects still complete in our typical 2-3 day timeframe. The integrated dust collection doesn’t slow down the sanding process, and you actually save time because there’s no extensive cleanup phase. Plus, with my American Sanders Certification and three decades of experience, I can work efficiently while maintaining the highest quality standards. You get beautiful results faster, with less disruption to your daily routine.