How Often Should I Recoat My Hardwood Flooring?

Recoating

• When you recoat a hardwood floor, you are not applying a new finish; rather you are simply applying a new coat of polyurethane to the floor. Recoating is done in combination with screening, which is a light sanding process. The screen is a mesh fabric that is embedded with abrasive particles, which are not as abrasive as sandpaper. Screen the floors by hand with a 120-grit screen, or use a floor buffer with a pad and a 150-grit screen, removing only a thin layer of the polyurethane. After screening, vacuum the floor to remove the dust. You'll want to wipe the floor with a rag, dampened with pure mineral spirits, and apply a new layer of polyurethane with a long-handled applicator. No additional buffing or polishing is necessary.

Time Frame

• The decision of when to recoat a hardwood floor depends on the amount of wear on the floor. The recoating needs to be done before the polyurethane coating has been worn away. For low-traffic areas, recoating every three years is appropriate. Higher traffic areas, such as entryways or kitchens, may need to be recoated every year, depending on the wear on the floor.

Preventative Maintenance

• Regular maintenance of your hardwood floors reduces wear and tear on the finish. Sweeping and dusting the floors regularly removes dirt and dust particles that mar the finish. Placing rugs in entryways and high traffic areas adds protection. Felt pads added to the feet of furniture legs, particularly dining chairs, prevents scratching the floor when furniture is moved.

Refinishing

• Screening and recoating a floor will not remove deep scratches, pet stains or other damage that has gone down to the wood. To restore damaged or heavily-worn floors, you need to refinish them. Refinishing is a more labor-intensive process than recoating. The floors are sanded down to the bare wood, and new stain is applied, followed by three coats of polyurethane or other floor sealer. Hardwood floors need to be refinished every 10 years, depending on how well they are maintained and the amount of wear and tear they receive.