Few materials add warmth and style to your home like hardwood floors. They are durable and elegant, but they may need to be refinished so as to appear as good as new.
Hardwood floor refinishing involves sanding of the wooden panels and adding a fresh protective layer. Refinishing extends the life of your hardwood and may even increase the resale value of your home.
The hardwood floor refinishing cost will depend on the overall size of your home. A room of about 225 square feet will cost between $125 to $250 to refinish, with many homeowners spending an average of $1,000 to $2,400 to refinish their entire homes.
In most cases, refinishing a room of between 250 to 300 square feet costs about $630 per room. The cost can vary between $525 to $725, depending on the amount of work that needs to be done. More damaged floors will often drive up the overall wood floor refinishing cost. If you’re looking to refinish a wooden floor kitchen of about 300 square feet, be prepared to spend $950 to $1250.
You can also calculate the cost of refinishing by square footage. Most rooms of about 15 by 15 feet will cost between $1.5 to $4 per square foot to refinish.
Successfully refinishing a floor will depend on many different materials being used. Basic tools such as sandpaper, nails, edgers, and claw hammers may cost a total of $100 to rent or purchase (edgers may be rented on a daily basis). Some contractors include the cost of materials in their overall quote.
Another important material cost is the coating being used. Oil-based polyurethane coatings cost about $25 per gallon, while water-based finishing products cost about $40 per gallon. Water-based finishes are more expensive because they dry faster and you get to enjoy the results sooner than with oil-based finishes.
You should also keep labor costs in mind. Having your floors professionally refinished increases resale value, maintains water resistance, and improves structural integrity..