How Often Should You Refinish Hardwood Floors?
Hardwood floors are a beautiful, long-term investment—but they don’t stay flawless forever. Over time, daily wear and tear, scratches, fading, and dullness take a toll. Refinishing your hardwood floors is one of the best ways to restore their original shine and extend their life—but how often should it be done?
At Danzco Hardwood Flooring, we’ve been restoring floors in Baltimore, Catonsville, Ellicott City, Columbia, and Pikesville, MD for over 30 years. Here’s a quick guide to help you determine when your floors are due for a refinish—and how to keep them looking their best.
General Rule: Every 7–10 Years (But It Depends)
As a general guideline, most hardwood floors should be refinished every 7 to 10 years. But this number can vary based on:
- Foot traffic
- Pets and children
- Type of wood
- Finish quality
- Sun exposure
- Moisture levels
Some homes in high-traffic areas like Towson or Randallstown might need refinishing closer to every 5 years, while floors in quieter homes may last longer between refinishings.
6 Signs It’s Time to Refinish Your Hardwood Floors
Here are common signs that indicate your floors are due:
1. Scratches and Scuffs Everywhere
If your floors are covered in scratches from shoes, furniture, or pets, a new finish will restore a smooth, clean surface.
2. Color Fading or Discoloration
Direct sunlight (especially in areas like Elkridge or Clarksville with lots of large windows) can bleach or darken wood unevenly over time. Refinishing will even out the tone.
3. Water Damage or Warping
Water stains or slightly warped boards can often be sanded and refinished. Just don’t wait too long—deep water damage may require repairs.
4. Dull or Cloudy Finish
If your floors no longer shine—even after cleaning—it’s a strong sign that the protective finish has worn off.
5. Splinters or Rough Spots
Splinters are not only uncomfortable but dangerous—especially if you have kids or pets.
6. You’ve Already Recoated Several Times
Recoating adds a fresh layer of finish, but eventually the floor needs a full sanding. If recoating doesn’t help, it’s time to refinish.
How Many Times Can Hardwood Be Refinished?
This depends on the thickness of the wood. Most solid hardwood floors can be refinished up to 4–5 times over their lifetime. Each refinishing removes about 1/32″ of wood. Engineered hardwood has a thinner top layer and may only allow 1–2 refinishings.
Before we start any refinishing project in Owings Mills or Reisterstown, we evaluate your floor’s condition to make sure it can handle another sanding.
Should You DIY or Hire a Pro?
DIY sanding might sound like a cost-saving idea, but it often leads to uneven sanding, swirl marks, or worse—permanent damage. At Danzco, we use professional-grade machines with dust containment (about 80% less mess) and help you test stain colors on-site before we start. This way, your floors come out exactly how you pictured.
If you’re in Woodlawn, Halethorpe, or anywhere in the greater Baltimore area—we’ve got your back.
How Long Does the Process Take?
Most refinishing projects take 3–5 days depending on:
- Square footage
- Number of coats
- Weather/humidity (affects drying time)
- Stain color choices
We’ll walk you through every step and make sure you know when it’s safe to walk on and move furniture back in.
Maintenance Tips to Extend Time Between Refinishing
- Use rugs and mats in entryways
- Add felt pads to furniture legs
- Sweep regularly to prevent grit buildup
- Avoid wet mops—use microfiber and wood-safe cleaners
- Keep humidity levels between 35–55%
These simple tips help floors in homes from Glen Burnie to Sykesville stay in top condition longer.
Where to Get Help
At Danzco Hardwood Flooring, we’ve refinished thousands of floors since 1988. We serve homeowners all over Baltimore County, Howard County, and surrounding parts of Maryland. If you’re unsure whether it’s time to refinish, we’re happy to give honest advice and free estimates.
📍 Business Location
Danzco Hardwood Flooring
1320 Linden Ave, Halethorpe, Maryland 21227
📞 (410) 788-5919
🌐 www.danzcohardwoodfloors.com
Ready to Restore Your Floors?
Give us a call or contact us online. Whether you live in Catonsville, Ellicott City, or anywhere nearby—we’ll bring your floors back to life with professional refinishing services backed by a 2-year labor warranty.
Call (410) 788-5919 today to schedule your free consultation.