Should You Refinish or Replace Wood Floors?

Stephen Hochstrasser

Stephen started his own hardwood flooring company 35 years ago. He is a perfectionist at his craft and exceptionally passionate about his industry, guaranteeing you’ll love your floors while achieving the highest return on every flooring investment.

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Wood floors are a beautiful addition to any home, but sometimes they need refinishing or replacing. You may want to refinish your floors to save money, but there is only so much that refinishing can do. It may be time to replace your floors entirely. However, you’re probably wondering which to do for your home. So, the big question is: should you refinish or replace wood floors? In this blog post, we will explore both options and help you make the best decision for your home.

At G3 Flooring, a wood flooring contractor located in Colorado Springs, we are proud to provide the best flooring services across Colorado’s Front Range. From hardwood flooring installation to refinishing and maintenance, our specialized team can handle all of your flooring needs. Not to mention, we are a local hardwood flooring company that loves all the communities we serve. That means when you work with G3 Flooring you get the best and highest quality of work.

Ready to find out whether you should refinish or replace your wood floors? Keep reading to discover more!

a picture of hardwood flooring

What is Refinishing Hardwood Floors?

Before we jump into whether you should refinish or replace wood floors, let’s first explore what refinishing hardwood floors entail. Refinishing hardwood floors is the process of sanding down the current floor to remove any dirt, debris, and stains. Once the surface is sanded down, a new finish is applied to protect and enhance the look of the wood.

How Many Times Can You Refinish Hardwood Floors?

You can generally refinish your hardwood floors 2-3 times before you need to replace them. However, it is important to note that each time you refinish your floors they will lose some of their original thickness. So, if your floors are looking thinner than they used to, it may be time for a replacement or to find another way to make your floors shine.

Hardwood Finish Options

There are a variety of finishes you can choose from when refinishing your hardwood floors. The most common finish is polyurethane, but there are also oil-based finishes, water-based finishes, and waxes. You can even choose to stain your floors a different color if you want!

Oil-Based Finishes vs. Water-Based Finishes

Oil-based finishes have been around the longest and they are typically more durable than water-based finishes. However, they can be difficult to apply and they have a strong odor. Water-based finishes are newer on the market and they are much easier to apply. They also don’t have as strong of an odor as oil-based finishes.

Waxes

Waxes are another option for refinishing your hardwood floors. They provide a natural look and they are easy to apply. However, waxes need to be reapplied more often than other types of finishes.

a picture of wood stairs

When Are Hardwood Floors Beyond Repair?

There are a few instances where refinishing your hardwood floors is not an option and you will need to replace them entirely. If your floors have sustained structural damage, serious flooring damage, or extreme wear, then they are beyond repair and need to be replaced.

Structural Damage

Structural damage to your hardwood floors is any damage that affects the integrity of the wood. This can include water damage, fire damage, or termite damage. If your floors have sustained any of this type of damage, then they need to be replaced.

Serious Flooring Damage

Serious flooring damage is any damage that goes beyond the surface of the wood. This can include deep scratches, gouges, or cracks. If your floors have sustained this type of damage, then they need to be replaced.

Extreme Wear

Extreme wear is when your hardwood floors have been worn down so much that they are thin and brittle. If your floors have reached this point, then they need to be replaced.

Hardwood Floor Options

If you’re in the market for new hardwood floors, there are a few different options to choose from. The most common type of hardwood flooring is solid wood flooring. This is 100% natural wood and it can be sanded and refinished multiple times. Engineered wood flooring is another popular option. This type of flooring is made up of layers of real wood and it’s more stable than solid wood. Laminate wood flooring is a more budget-friendly option that looks like real wood but it’s actually made of composite materials.

Solid Wood Flooring

Solid wood flooring is the most popular type of hardwood flooring. Solid wood floors are available in a variety of woods, including oak, maple, cherry, and walnut.

Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered wood flooring is made up of layers of real wood. The top layer is the wear layer that can be sanded and refinished. The middle layer is the core layer that gives the flooring stability. The bottom layer is the backing layer that prevents moisture damage. Engineered wood floors are available in a variety of woods, including oak, maple, cherry, and walnut.

Laminate Wood Flooring

This type of wood flooring is a more budget-friendly option that looks like real wood but it’s actually made of composite materials. Laminate floors are available in a variety of wood grain patterns and they can be refinished if they become damaged.

a picture of hardwood floors

Choosing the Right Flooring for Your Home

When choosing hardwood floors for your home, there are a few things to consider. The first is the type of wood you want. Oak and maple are the most popular choices because they are durable and can be refinished multiple times. Cherry and walnut are also popular choices, but they are not as durable as oak and maple.

The second thing to consider is the type of finish you want. There are three main types of finishes: oil-based, water-based, and waxes. Oil-based finishes are the most durable but they have a strong odor. Water-based finishes are newer on the market and they don’t have as strong of an odor. Waxes provide a natural look but they need to be reapplied more often.

The third thing to consider is the style of flooring you want. Solid wood floors are the most popular choice because they can be sanded and refinished multiple times. Engineered wood floors are also a popular choice because they are more stable than solid wood. Laminate floors are a more budget-friendly option that looks like wood but is actually made of composite materials.

When it comes to hardwood floors, you have a lot of options to choose from. The most important thing to consider is the type of wood you want, the type of finish you want, and the style of flooring you want. Once you’ve decided on those things, you can narrow down your choices and find the perfect floors for your home.

Refinish or Replace Your Wood Floors with G3 Flooring

It can be challenging to know whether to refinish or replace your hardwood floors. If your floors have structural or serious damage or extreme wear, it is most likely time to replace your floors entirely. If not, refinishing your hardwood floors is the best bet! Still not sure whether you should refinish or replace your wood floors? Contact G3 Flooring today, and we’ll help you make the best decision for your home! Our team is here to give you the best hardwood flooring options and help you find the perfect floors for your home.

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