In your area,, hardwood floors take the brunt of daily life—foot traffic, pet activity, seasonal humidity shifts, and sunlight. Thinking about maintenance intervals helps you preserve beauty, plan ahead, and avoid preventable repairs. Understanding typical timelines also clarifies when a quick screen-and-recoat will do versus when a full sanding is warranted. The right cadence depends on species hardness, finish chemistry, and how much wear layer is left. A simple framework gives property owners in your area, confidence before scheduling work.

How often should hardwood floors be refinished?

Most solid hardwood floors in active homes benefit from a full sand-and-refinish roughly every 7–10 years, while lower-traffic spaces can stretch to 10–15 years. Many professionals also recommend a screen-and-recoat every 3–5 years to refresh protection and delay major sanding. Frequency varies with use levels, finish type (oil- versus waterborne), and indoor climate control. Engineered flooring follows the same visual cues, but its refinishing schedule depends on veneer thickness; thin wear layers may allow only one careful refinish. Observing how quickly sheen dulls and whether water beads on the surface helps narrow the right timing in your area, .

Objective checks make timing easier. Typical professional sanding removes about 0.3–0.8 mm of wood, so verifying remaining wear layer protects long-term service life. Solid 3/4-inch hardwoods commonly support 4–6+ complete refinishes over decades, whereas engineered planks with a 2–4 mm veneer often allow 1–2. Visible signs—grey traffic lanes that don’t clean up, finish that no longer beads water, splintering edges, or deep scratches—signal it’s time. A maintenance plan of routine cleaning, felt pads, and climate stability can extend intervals significantly in your area, .

Ready to start your Hardwood Floor Refinishing project? A local expert in your area, can evaluate finish wear, measure remaining thickness, and advise whether a screen-and-recoat or full sanding is the smarter move right now. Expect guidance on finish systems, cure times, and simple habits that prolong the next interval. Submit the contact form to request service from a flooring professional in your area, and schedule your on-site assessment.