Is it Better to Refinish or Replace Hardwood Floors

ProSource Wholesale | 10/22/2025

Tricks of the Trade is an article series dedicated to providing answers to commonly asked questions. The interviews are conducted with ProSource Wholesale® trade professional members, offering their insights and experience to questions that arise during the building or remodeling process.

This month, we spoke with Barbara Diaz, owner of Suerte Designs, a design firm specializing in custom interiors and remodeling projects. Based in California, Barbara is a member of ProSource of San Diego, where she partners with the showroom to provide clients with product expertise, design guidance, and competitive pricing

What to Consider Before Deciding

When choosing between refinishing and replacing hardwood floors, consider the condition, budget, and your long-term goals.

“If the wood is in good shape — meaning it hasn’t been sanded down too many times and doesn’t have major damage — refinishing is usually the simplest and least expensive option,” Barbara explains. “Beautiful wood floors never go out of style. They increase the value of your home and add a richness and coziness that other flooring can’t match.”

Still, replacement often provides more flexibility and value. When floors are structurally compromised, worn thin, or when homeowners are ready for a fresh design direction, new hardwood or a modern hard surface like luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or laminate can be the smarter investment.

Age, Condition, and Wood Type

• Age: Solid hardwood flooring can often be refinished many times. However, engineered hardwood has a thinner wear layer, which limits options. Depending on thickness and contractor skill, solid wood may be refinished six to seven times.
• Condition: “Deep scratches, stains, or uneven wear can be refinished. But water damage, rot, or structural issues often require replacement.”
• Wood Type: “Rare or high-end hardwoods such as oak, maple, walnut are worth saving through refinishing. Their beauty is timeless. Cheaper, lower-quality woods may not justify the effort.”

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Is it Cheaper to Refinish or Replace Hardwood Floors?

For many homeowners, refinishing hardwood floors can save money in the short term, often 50–70% cheaper than replacing hardwood floors. “Costs are driven by labor, sanding, staining, sealing, and the number of rooms,” Barbara shares. “Replacement adds demolition, disposal, subfloor prep, and new material purchase that also drive up the costs.”

However, replacement delivers a completely new surface and often a longer-lasting solution. To make things last longer, change the design, and boost resale value, the initial cost is usually worth it.

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Comparing Timeline and Disruption

Refinishing usually takes three to five days, involving sanding, staining, and sealing. It can be disruptive due to dust, fumes, and noise, and homeowners may need to vacate during the process. Replacement typically requires one to two weeks, including demolition, acclimation, installation, and finishing. Though more time-intensive, it results in a fresh new surface that can completely transform a space.

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Design and Style Flexibility

Refinishing allows homeowners to dramatically update color, sheen, and finish, shifting from light to dark or matte to glossy. When you want a complete style change, replacing the flooring allows for new patterns. You can choose wider planks, different wood types, or even other materials. Luxury vinyl flooring, for example, offers water resistance and durability in wood-look styles, while laminate flooring provides scratch resistance and a variety of finishes.

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When Replacement Is the Only Practical Option

Some situations make refinishing impossible. Barbara points out that “structural damage, water, rot, termites, boards that are too thin after multiple refinishes, or major warping and uneven subfloors” all require replacement.

For many homeowners, replacing their flooring is appealing. This is true even if there is no major damage. They may want to modernize their space or choose materials that are easier to maintain.

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Durability, Resale Value, and Sustainability

Refinishing restores wood floors to like-new condition and can extend their life another seven to ten years. Barbara notes that it also “adds resale value by showcasing the original wood, originality, and authenticity of the home.”

Replacing flooring can be more expensive at first. However, it can increase resale value. This is especially true when upgrading to premium hardwoods or stylish options like LVP. Refinishing is usually the more sustainable choice because it uses existing materials. However, many modern engineered wood and resilient flooring are made with sustainability in mind. This gives homeowners eco-friendly options that last longer.

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Maintenance Tips

Barbara recommends:

• “Clean with hardwood safe products, avoid water puddling, such as that you can get from potted plants.”
• “Use area rugs in high-traffic zones, prevents damage.”
• “Add felt pads to furniture, prevents scratches.”
• “Recoat every 3–5 years to protect the finish.”

Modern hard surfaces like luxury vinyl or laminate need less upkeep. This makes them great choices for homeowners that want lower maintenance.

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Making the Right Choice

Barbara advises, “If the wood’s structure is solid, refinishing almost always makes sense first. Replacement is best for major damage, thin floors, or when a total design transformation is desired. Be sure to get a professional inspection from a reputable flooring contractor so that the homeowners can decide confidently.”

For many people, the inspection leads to a replacement. This choice fixes damage and allows for style and performance updates. With options like hardwood, luxury vinyl, and laminate available, homeowners can find a solution that matches their lifestyle and long-term goals.

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The ProSource Advantage

ProSource of San Diego serves the greater San Diego area with a showroom that offers trade professionals and their clients access to an expansive selection of flooring, kitchen, and bath products. With exclusive wholesale pricing, expert staff, and hands-on product displays, the showroom helps bring remodeling visions to life.

Whether you’re upgrading with new hardwood flooring, luxury vinyl plank, or laminate flooring, your local ProSource Wholesale® showroom provides the products, expertise, and trade pro connections you need to make the right choice.

Request an appointment or visit your local showroom today to start your project with confidence.

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