Recoating vs. Refinishing Hardwood Floors: What’s the Difference?

Hardwood floors are one of the most beautiful and durable features in a home, but even the best floors need a little upkeep. If your floors are looking dull, scratched, or worn, you might be wondering: Should I recoat or refinish? Both options can bring new life to hardwoods, but the right choice depends on the condition of your floors. Let’s break it down.

What Is Recoating?

Recoating (sometimes called “screen and recoat”) is a lighter maintenance step. Instead of sanding the floor down to bare wood, a contractor lightly buffs the existing finish and applies a fresh coat of polyurethane.

Best for:

Floors with light surface scratches
Dull or worn finish
Floors that haven’t been recoated in 3–5 years

Benefits:

Quick process (usually just a day)
Less dust and disruption than refinishing
More affordable
Extends the life of your floor’s finish

What Is Refinishing?

Refinishing is a complete reset for your floors. The contractor sands away the existing finish and a thin layer of the wood itself before applying new stain and protective coats.

Best for:

Deep scratches, dents, or gouges
Heavy wear or discoloration
Floors with water damage
Changing the color or sheen of your floors

Benefits:

Restores floors to “like new” condition
Option to change stain color
Removes deep damage that recoating can’t fix

Refinished Wood Flooring with Sunlight Interior Design Renovatio

How to Decide: Recoat or Refinish?

The easiest way to decide is to look at the wood itself:

If the scratches are only in the finish layer and the wood underneath looks intact → Recoating is enough.
If scratches cut into the wood, or the floor looks uneven or discolored → Refinishing is the better choice.

When in doubt, a professional hardwood flooring contractor can help you assess the condition and recommend the best option for your home.

Keep Your Floors Looking Their Best

Whether you recoat or refinish, regular maintenance will help your hardwood floors last for decades. Cleaning with the right products, maintaining balanced humidity levels, and recoating every few years can reduce the need for frequent refinishing.

If you’re in the Seattle area and wondering about the condition of your floors, contact Dallas Watson Flooring. Our team will help you decide whether a simple recoat or a full refinish will give you the best results.