| Refinish | Replace | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost in Maryland | Typically $3 to $5 per sq ft. Most projects $2,000 to $5,000. | Materials plus installation. Substantially higher than refinishing. |
| Time | Typically 2 to 3 days | Longer, depending on area and species |
| Disruption | Moderate, with dustless sanding keeping dust down | Higher, including tear-out and subfloor work |
| Best for | Scratches, wear, dull finish, color change, minor damage | Water damage, buckling, rot, insects, floors sanded too thin |
How to decide, from a flooring company that does both
Refinish or Replace Your Hardwood Floors?
If your hardwood floors are solid and still structurally sound, refinishing is almost always the better value. It costs far less than replacement and can make a worn floor look new. Replacement makes sense when boards are damaged beyond repair or the floor has been sanded as far as it can go.
Refinish vs Replace at a Glance
Signs Your Floors Can Be Refinished
- The boards are solid hardwood, or engineered with a thick enough top layer.
- Damage is mostly to the finish: scratches, dullness, fading, and light stains.
- Boards are flat, not cupped or lifting.
- Nail heads are not showing through from past sanding.
- You want to change the color. Refinishing lets you go lighter, darker or more natural.
See our sanding and refinishing service and our cost guide.
Signs You May Need to Replace
- Widespread buckling, severe cupping or rot, often from water damage. See water damage repair.
- Termite or insect damage across large areas.
- Boards so thin from past sanding that nail heads show.
- A damaged subfloor that must be rebuilt.
Even then, partial replacement is often possible. We can replace affected boards and blend them into the rest of the floor. See hardwood floor repair and new installation.
Engineered vs Solid
Solid hardwood is usually the easiest to refinish repeatedly. Engineered flooring can be refinished only if its top wear layer is thick enough, so it is important to check before you sand. Send us a photo of a board edge, such as at a vent, and we can usually tell.
How to Know for Sure
Photos usually tell us enough to give you an honest answer. Text them to (240) 277-5953 or use our free estimate form. If a floor can be saved, we will say so, and if it cannot, we will explain why.
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