hardwood flooring page<\/u><\/a>\u00a0shows the species we carry if replacement turns out to be the answer.<\/p>\nFrequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\nHow do I know if my floor can be refinished?<\/h3>\n
Check whether the boards are flat and firmly fastened, and whether nail heads or the tongue are visible. Flat, sound boards with wood above the tongue can be refinished. Exposed tongues or nail heads mean the floor is at its sanding limit.<\/p>\n
How many times can a hardwood floor be refinished?<\/h3>\n
Solid hardwood typically allows four to six sandings across its life, because only the roughly 6 mm above the tongue is usable and each sanding removes less than a millimetre. Engineered floors allow zero to two, depending on veneer thickness.<\/p>\n
Is it cheaper to refinish or replace hardwood?<\/h3>\n
Refinishing costs roughly a third to a half of replacement and is faster. Replacement only makes financial sense when the floor is structurally failing or you want a different species, width, or look.<\/p>\n
Can water-damaged hardwood be saved?<\/h3>\n
Sometimes. A one-time spill that has dried often flattens and sands out. Ongoing leaks or water that has blackened the grain or reached the subfloor usually require replacing the affected boards and fixing the source first.<\/p>\n
What is the difference between cupping and crowning?<\/h3>\n
Cupping is when board edges rise above the centre, from moisture underneath. Crowning is when the centre rises above the edges, often because a cupped floor was sanded flat before it dried. Both are moisture-driven and need the source fixed first.<\/p>\n
Will refinishing fix gaps between my boards?<\/h3>\n
No. Seasonal gaps are the wood shrinking in dry winter air and usually close by summer. Refinishing does not change board width. Persistent large gaps can be filled during a refinish, but the fill can crack as the wood moves.<\/p>\n
Can I refinish just one room?<\/h3>\n
Only if it is a visually separate area. A freshly sanded floor will not match an aged floor in the same sightline because of sun fading and finish ambering. Refinish by continuous visual zone rather than by room.<\/p>\n
Does refinishing add value when selling?<\/h3>\n
Yes, strongly. Refinished floors show well and cost far less than replacement, making them one of the better pre-sale investments. Full replacement rarely recovers its cost at sale.<\/p>\n
How long does a refinished floor take to cure?<\/h3>\n
Water-based finishes are walkable in hours and fully cured in about a week. Oil-based finishes take two to three weeks to cure fully. Keep rugs and heavy furniture off until the finish has cured.<\/p>\n
Can engineered hardwood be sanded?<\/h3>\n
Only if the wear layer is 4 mm or thicker, which allows one or two light sandings. Thin-veneer engineered floors cannot be sanded. A screen and recoat can still refresh the finish without sanding the wood.<\/p>\n
What is a screen and recoat?<\/h3>\n
It is a light abrasion of the existing finish followed by a fresh top coat, with no sanding into the wood. It refreshes a dull but sound finish, works on thin-veneer engineered floors, and costs less than a full refinish.<\/p>\n
Should I refinish before or after other renovations?<\/h3>\n
After. Sand and finish floors last, once painting, cabinetry, and heavy trades are done, so the fresh finish is not scratched or dinged by other work. Protect the floor if any work must follow.<\/p>\n
Visit our Saint-Jerome showroom or book a consultation.<\/p>\n
450, boul. Roland-Godard, Saint-Jerome, QC | (450) 431-8789 | planchersbellefeuille.co
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