Short answer
A re-coat cleans the floor, prepares the existing finish and adds a fresh protective coat on top, without sanding into the wood. A refinish sands the floor down to bare wood and builds new coats of finish from scratch. Re-coating fixes dullness and wear in the finish; refinishing is for damage that goes into the wood.
What is a hardwood re-coat?
A re-coat works on top of the finish you already have. The floor is deep cleaned, old wax and residue come off, and a new coat is applied to protect the wood and restore the shine. There is far less dust and disruption than sanding, and the wood itself is left alone.
What is a full refinish?
A refinish sands off the old finish and a thin layer of wood, working from coarse to fine sanding, and then applies new coats of finish. It is the right choice when boards are deeply scratched, stained, water damaged or discolored, because sanding removes that damage.
How do you know which one your floor needs?
Look at where the damage is. Dullness, light scuffs and worn traffic paths that still have finish on them point to a re-coat. Bare gray wood, deep gouges, dark water stains or color changes point to sanding and refinishing.
Since wood can only be sanded a limited number of times, it makes sense to re-coat whenever the floor allows it.
Which one does Long Island Steam Cleaners do?
Our wood floor service focuses on deep cleaning and re-coating, and we will tell you when a floor needs sanding instead. Every job starts with a free estimate so you only pay for what the floor needs. See our Wood Floor Cleaning and Sealing service page.
How do you book a wood floor evaluation?
Book a free in-home estimate and we will check the finish and the wood and recommend a re-coat or refinish. We serve Miller Place, Port Jefferson, East Setauket, Stony Brook, Mount Sinai, Rocky Point, Centereach and Smithtown. Call (631) 428-1240 or use the Book a free estimate button.