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Strictly Carpet & Flooring
Illustration of an empty sunlit room with a wide-plank white oak hardwood floor running toward tall windows, the grain and satin finish clearly visible

Hardwood Refinishing · Oswego and the Western Suburbs

REFINISH THE HARDWOOD YOU ALREADY HAVE

We sand your existing floor back, stain it to the color you choose and seal it with fresh finish coats. Most projects take 4 to 6 days.

Request a Hardwood AssessmentCall (630) 816-4643
Assessment Before Any WorkDust Containment SandingOIL or water-based finishCFI-Certified Installers

Refinishing is work on an existing hardwood floor. It is a different job from installing a new floor, so this page covers what happens to the floor you have: what the work involves, how long it takes, what to expect while it happens and how to look after the finish afterward.

What Refinishing Involves

Sand, Stain, Recoat

Refinishing typically has three stages. What each one involves for your floor is settled after it has been assessed.

  1. 01
    Illustration of a floor sander with a dust bag standing on raw sanded oak boards, with the old darker finish still on the far part of the floor

    Sand

    Sanding The Existing Floor

    The existing finish and surface are sanded back. This stage makes dust, which is why a dust containment sander is used.

  2. 02
    Illustration of three stain test patches in pale, golden and deep walnut tones on raw oak boards, with a lambswool applicator pad beside them

    Stain

    Staining On Site

    Stain is applied on site to the color you choose. Staining on site has an odor.

  3. 03
    Illustration of a freshly coated satin oak floor reflecting window light along the boards in an empty room

    Recoat

    Coats Of Finish

    Finish coats are applied over the stain. The number of coats depends on whether an oil based or a water based finish is used.

Illustration of a hallway of oak plank flooring with a dull, scratched finish worn along the walking path and richer tone near the baseboards

Is Your Floor A Candidate

Whether Your Floor Can Be Refinished

Not every worn floor can be refinished, and we do not promise a result before we have seen the floor. An assessment looks at your floor in person.

It Needs An Assessment
Whether a floor is a good candidate depends on the floor itself, so the first step is a look at your floor.
No Promised Outcome
We do not guarantee that a floor can be refinished or how the finished floor will look. What is realistic for your floor is discussed after the assessment.
Other Paths Stay Open
If refinishing is not the right fit, we will say so. Depending on the floor, that can point to a repair assessment or to new flooring.

Wondering if Your Floor Can Be Refinished? Ask for an Assessment.

Describe the floor and what is bothering you. We will follow up about next steps.

Request a Hardwood Assessment

Timeline And Access

How Long It Takes

Refinishing is a several day job. These are typical figures, and your own project can differ.

Project length

Floor unavailable

Larger projects

Solid gold marks the typical minimum and the lighter band the typical maximum, in days. These are not a schedule for your floor.

4 to 6 days

Typical Project Length

Refinishing an existing hardwood floor typically takes 4 to 6 days.

2 to 4 days

Floor Unavailable

You typically cannot be on the floors for 2 to 4 days.

Larger jobs

May Take Longer

A larger floor or a bigger project can take longer than the typical range. We discuss timing for your floor after the assessment.

Dust And Odor

What to Expect at Home

Sanding creates dust and staining has an odor. Here is what is done about each, and what to expect.

Illustration of an archway covered with taped clear plastic sheeting, with a canister dust extractor on partly sanded oak boards in the room beyond

Dust

Our installers sand with a dust containment sander, and plastic sheeting is used to limit how far dust spreads. Some dust is still expected, so plan for it.

Odor

Staining on site has an odor. Oil based finishes generally smell stronger than water based finishes.

Finish Choices

Oil Based or Water Based

The finish changes the process, the odor and how quickly the floor dries. We help you choose between them for your floor and the color you want.

Illustration of a strip hardwood floor in a warm amber-honey tone with a satin sheen, long boards and tight staggered end joints

Oil Based Finish

Typically sanding, staining and two coats of finish.

  1. Sand
  2. Stain
  3. Coat 1
  4. Coat 2
  • Generally a stronger odor than water based finish
  • Can look more yellow over time
Illustration of a hardwood floor in a lighter, clear natural tone with a satin sheen and visible oak grain

Water Based Finish

Typically sanding, staining and three coats of finish.

  1. Sand
  2. Stain
  3. Coat 1
  4. Coat 2
  5. Coat 3
  • Less odor than oil based finish
  • Dries faster
  • Can suit certain colors better, so we may recommend it for the color you want

Color is chosen with you, but a final color match cannot be guaranteed.

Photographs on this page illustrate hardwood surfaces, equipment and materials. They do not depict completed Strictly Carpet & Flooring projects or customer floors.

Aftercare

Looking After Your Floor

For routine cleaning of hardwood floors we recommend Bona hardwood cleaner with a fiber cloth.

Common Questions

Hardwood Refinishing Questions

Can I stay home during refinishing?

Not usually, it’s not recommended. Once the staining begins you will not be able to walk on any of the wood areas as they will be wet and need time to dry. There is also a smell to consider when they are staining and applying coats of finish. If you go with an oil finish it has more of a smell than if you go with a water base finish.

How soon can furniture and rugs go back?

Furniture can go back fairly quickly. Sometimes the next day after the last coat of finish is applied, if not a day or two after that. Area rugs will need to wait at least 3-4 weeks after the job is completed to give the wood time to breathe / cure.

When can pets walk on the floor?

Pets should be kept off newly refinished floors for an additional 48-72 hours.

Can I change the color of my floor?

Yes if you are refinishing your floor you can change the color of your floor. If you do just a screen & coat (light buff and apply 1 coat of finish) you cannot change the color of your floor and it also will not fix any scratches, damages, or worn areas.

How many times can hardwood be refinished?

It will depend on the hardwood. Engineered hardwood will depend on the thickness of the top layer. If it is thick enough you may be able to refinish it 1-2 times. If it’s not thick enough you will not be able to refinish it. If it is a solid hardwood will depend on some conditions but you should be able to refinish it 2-4 times.

Can engineered hardwood be refinished?

Engineered hardwood will depend on the thickness of the top layer. If it is thick enough you may be able to refinish it 1-2 times. If it’s not thick enough you will not be able to refinish it.

How is refinishing priced?

All of our estimates are itemized. The first line will include the sanding, staining, and sealing (whether it is two coats of polyurethane oil finish or three coats of a water base finish). Everything after that will be itemized for what we need to do to complete the job (moving of furniture, appliances, base work, plastic to control dust, etc)

Related Services

Next Steps for Your Floors

Illustration of wide-plank medium-brown hardwood running down a bright hallway toward a tall window

Choosing a new hardwood floor?

Hardwood Flooring

View
Illustration of oak-toned plank flooring with one cracked and chipped plank among intact boards

Damage on a floor?

Flooring Repair Assessment

View
Illustration of a sunlit room partway through a hardwood installation, with white oak planks laid across part of the floor, plywood subfloor still exposed and installation tools resting on the boards

Planning a new floor?

Flooring Installation

View
All Flooring Services
Illustration of a bright living room with a satin medium-brown oak plank floor, a plain grey sofa on a wool rug and a tall window with sheer curtains

Let’s Look At Your Floor

Ask About Your Hardwood Floors

Tell us about the floor, where it is and what it looks like now. We will follow up about next steps.

SCHEDULE A FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATIONCall (630) 816-4643
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