Most hardwood floors don’t need to be replaced. They need to be refinished. If your floors are scratched, dull, or showing wear in high-traffic areas, hardwood floor refinishing brings them back. The process involves sanding down the existing finish, removing surface damage, and applying a fresh protective coat. In many cases, you can also change the stain color to update the look entirely.
Wood floor refinishing costs a fraction of what new installation runs. In Wake County, NC, you’re typically looking at $3 to $8 per square foot depending on the condition of your floors and the finish you choose. Compare that to $8 to $20+ per square foot for new hardwood floor installation. The return on investment for refinishing is even higher than new installation, averaging 147% according to recent data from the National Association of Realtors.
The key is knowing when refinishing makes sense. If your floors have deep gouges, water damage that’s caused warping, or they’ve been refinished so many times there’s not enough wood left to sand, replacement might be necessary. But most floors we see in Raleigh, Cary, Apex, and throughout Wake County still have plenty of life left. We’ll assess your floors honestly and tell you what’s actually needed.