The short answer
A full sand-and-refinish takes the floor down to bare wood and fixes deeper wear. A recoat, or screen and recoat, only scuffs the old finish and adds a fresh coat on top. If the wood itself is damaged, you need sanding. If only the finish is tired, a recoat may be enough.
Side by side
| Full sanding | Recoating | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Removes the old finish and a thin layer of wood | Scuffs the top finish and adds new coats |
| Fixes scratches in the wood | Yes | No |
| Fixes gray, worn-through spots | Yes | No |
| Can change the stain color | Yes | No |
| Dust | More, unless dust-contained | Very little |
| Job length | Longer | Shorter |
| Uses up wood | Yes, a little each time | No |
Try the water drop test
- Pick a worn spotChoose a busy walkway or the spot that looks dullest.
- Add a few drops of waterUse a spoon or your fingers. Just a few drops.
- Watch for a few minutesIf the water beads up, the finish is still sealing the wood and a recoat may be enough. If it soaks in and darkens the wood, the finish is worn through and that area likely needs sanding.
What about "dustless" and "sandless"?
"Dustless" or dust-contained sanding is still a full sand. The sanders are hooked to strong vacuums that catch most of the dust. It's less mess, not zero mess.
"Sandless" refinishing usually means cleaning and scuffing the old finish without sanding to bare wood, then applying new finish. It has the same limits as a recoat. The comparison tables in this directory show which companies list each option.
Key takeaways
- Damage in the wood needs sanding
- A tired finish may only need a recoat
- Recoating before the finish wears through can delay a full sanding
- Recoats may not stick over some polishes or wax, so the refinisher may test first
Common questions
How often should hardwood floors be recoated?
It depends on traffic, pets and the finish. Many homeowners recoat when the finish starts to look dull in walkways, before it wears through to bare wood. Recoating in time can delay the need for a full sanding.
Can a recoat change the color of my floor?
No. Changing the color means sanding to bare wood and applying new stain.
Does full sanding make a lot of dust?
Sanding to bare wood creates fine dust. Companies that list dust-contained sanding use vacuum systems that catch most of it. Ask how they protect the rest of your home.
Find a refinisher near you
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