Hardwood Floor Refinishing

Types of Hardwood Floors that can be refinished

Many solid hardwood floors can be refinished multiple times over their lifespan.

Refinishing may be a great option if:

• The flooring is structurally sound
• Damage is mostly surface-level
• You want to improve appearance
• You want to change stain color
• You want to preserve original hardwood flooring

Replacement may be the better option if:

• The floor has structural damage
• Significant moisture issues are present
• The wood has already been refinished too many times
• The floor is engineered hardwood with limited wear layer
• You want to completely change flooring style or plank dimensions

Not sure what makes sense? We can help evaluate your options.

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Why Choose Unique Wood Floors?

Refinishing hardwood floors is not the same as replacing flooring, and choosing the right company matters.

At Unique Wood Floors, hardwood flooring is what we specialize in.

Why homeowners choose us:

• NWFA-certified hardwood flooring expertise
• Honest recommendations on refinishing vs replacement
• Professional hardwood floor evaluation
• Experienced local Twin Cities team
• Showrooms in Bloomington, Hopkins, and St. Paul
• Trusted by homeowners throughout Minneapolis–St. Paul metro for 20+ years

We proudly serve Bloomington, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Hopkins, Edina, Eden Prairie, Plymouth, Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Woodbury, and surrounding communities.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does hardwood floor refinishing take?

Most refinishing projects take several days depending on square footage, finish system, staining, and site conditions.

Is refinishing better than replacing?

If your existing hardwood is structurally sound, refinishing is often significantly more cost-effective than replacement while preserving the original character of the home.

Is the pricing fixed?

Our published pricing reflects standard starting rates. Final pricing may vary depending on repairs, stairs, furniture moving, floor condition, specialty prep, or other project-specific requirements.

How much does hardwood floor refinishing cost in Minneapolis?

Hardwood floor refinishing costs vary depending on the condition of the floor, the size of the project, and whether you want to maintain the natural wood color or apply a new stain.

At Unique Wood Floors, our standard refinishing pricing starts at:

• Buff & Coat: Starting at $2.49 per square foot 
• Sand & Finish (Natural): Starting at $4.99 per square foot 
• Sand & Finish (Stained): Starting at $5.99 per square foot 

Additional repairs such as board replacement, pet stain treatment, subfloor repairs, or stair refinishing may affect pricing. We provide in-home evaluations throughout the Twin Cities to determine the right solution.

What is the difference between buff and coat vs full refinishing?

A buff and coat is a maintenance service that refreshes the protective finish on your hardwood floors without sanding down to bare wood.

Buff and coat is ideal when:

• Surface looks dull 
• Light scratches are visible 
• Finish is worn in traffic areas 
• No deep gouges or exposed raw wood 

A full sand and finish removes the existing finish completely and sands the wood down before applying new finish.

Full refinishing is recommended when:

• Deep scratches are present 
• Finish has worn through 
• Water damage or discoloration exists 
• You want to change the floor color 
• Older floors need full restoration 

If you’re unsure which option makes sense, we can inspect the floor and advise accordingly.

How long does hardwood floor refinishing take?

Most hardwood floor refinishing projects take 2 to 5 days, depending on square footage, site conditions, and the finishing system being used.

General timeline:

• Buff & Coat: Often completed in 1 day 
• Natural Sand & Finish: Typically 2–4 days 
• Stained Sand & Finish: Typically 3–5 days 

Drying and cure times vary based on the finish selected, temperature, and humidity.

How soon can I walk on refinished hardwood floors?

This depends on the finishing system used.

General guidelines:

• Light foot traffic: Often after 24 hours 
• Furniture placement: Usually after 48–72 hours 
• Area rugs: Typically after 7–14 days 
• Full cure: Often up to 30 days 

We provide exact care instructions based on the finish used for your project.

Can you change the color of my hardwood floors?

Yes. If your floors are solid hardwood—or an engineered hardwood with enough real wood wear layer—we can often sand the floor and apply a new stain color.

Popular color updates include:

• Natural matte finishes 
• Medium brown tones 
• Modern white oak looks 
• Dark walnut-inspired colors 

Color changes require full sanding and refinishing, not a buff and coat.

Can engineered hardwood floors be refinished?

Some engineered hardwood floors can be refinished, but not all.

It depends primarily on the thickness of the real hardwood wear layer. Floors with a thicker wear layer may be candidates for refinishing, while thinner veneer products may not tolerate sanding.

We evaluate engineered flooring on a case-by-case basis before making recommendations.

Is dustless sanding really dust free?

No sanding system is truly 100% dust free.

Professional dust containment systems significantly reduce airborne dust compared to traditional sanding methods, but some fine dust may still be present depending on the home layout and project conditions.

We use dust-controlled sanding practices to help minimize mess and disruption.

Can pet stains be removed from hardwood floors?

Sometimes.

Surface-level staining may improve during sanding and refinishing, but deeper pet urine stains that have penetrated into the wood fibers may require:

• board replacement 
• stain treatment 
• selective repairs 
• full refinishing 

Each case depends on severity and how long the damage has been present.

Do I need to leave my home during refinishing?

Not always, but it depends on the project scope and finish system.

For smaller projects or isolated areas, some homeowners remain in the home.

For larger full-home refinishing projects, temporary relocation is often more comfortable due to:

• equipment noise 
• limited room access 
• drying times 
• temporary odors 

We’ll help you plan expectations during your estimate.

What hardwood species can be refinished?

Most traditional hardwood floors can be refinished, including:

• Red Oak 
• White Oak 
• Maple 
• Hickory 
• Ash 
• Walnut 
• Brazilian Cherry (case dependent) 

Some exotic or specialty floors may require special evaluation.

How do I know if my hardwood floors should be refinished or replaced?

Refinishing is often the best option when:

• the wood is structurally sound 
• scratches are cosmetic 
• finish is worn 
• color feels outdated 

Replacement may make more sense when:

• severe water damage exists 
• major movement or structural failure is present 
• floors have already been sanded too many times 
• engineered wear layer is too thin 

An in-person assessment is the best way to determine this.

What finish options do you offer?

Finish options vary based on project goals, but common options include:

• Natural clear finish 
• Stained finish 
• Matte sheen 
• Satin sheen 
• Semi-gloss finishes 

We help you choose the right look based on durability, maintenance expectations, and design goals.

Do refinished hardwood floors add home value?

Hardwood floors are consistently viewed as a desirable feature by homeowners and buyers.

Refinishing worn hardwood can improve:

• visual appeal 
• perceived cleanliness 
• resale presentation 
• overall room aesthetics 

A well-refinished hardwood floor is often a cost-effective upgrade compared to replacement.

Do you offer hardwood floor refinishing in Minneapolis and St. Paul?

Yes. We provide hardwood floor refinishing services throughout the Twin Cities metro, including:

• Minneapolis 
• St. Paul 
• Bloomington 
• Hopkins 
• Edina 
• Minnetonka 
• Eden Prairie 
• Maple Grove 
• Woodbury 
• Lakeville 
• surrounding Minnesota communities

Do you refinish oil-finished hardwood floors?

Yes. We service and restore oil-finished hardwood floors using WOCA oil finishing systems designed specifically for natural wood floors.

Oil-finished floors require a different approach than traditional polyurethane floors, as they are maintained and restored with compatible oil-based products rather than standard buff-and-coat systems. Whether your floor needs a maintenance refresh, localized repair, or full sanding and re-oiling, we can evaluate the condition and recommend the right solution.

Oil finishes are a great option for homeowners who prefer a natural matte appearance, enhanced wood grain character, and easier spot repairability compared to traditional surface finishes.

Schedule Your Hardwood Refinishing Consultation

Thinking about restoring your hardwood floors?

Visit one of our Twin Cities showrooms or schedule a free in-home consultation with Unique Wood Floors to determine the best solution for your project.