If your hardwood floors are starting to look dull, scratched, or worn down, you might be wondering: is it time to recoat—or do they need a full refinish? At Kelly’s Flooring, we help homeowners throughout St. Louis, MO, and the surrounding areas figure out the best way to restore their floors without the guesswork.
You might be surprised to learn that not all floors need a complete sanding to look like new again. The key is knowing the difference between recoating and refinishing—and choosing the option that protects your home’s beauty for years to come.
What’s the Difference Between Recoating and Refinishing?
Over time, hardwood floors naturally lose their luster. Everyday wear, pet nails, and even sunlight can wear down the topcoat. Depending on the condition of your floors, you may only need a new protective layer—or you may need to fully sand down to bare wood.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
Recoating
- Adds a new layer of polyurethane
- Fills in minor surface scratches
- Restores shine and protection
- Completed in just one day
- Best for floors that still have their original finish intact
Refinishing
- Involves sanding the floor down to raw wood
- Removes deep scratches, gouges, and discoloration
- Allows you to change the stain color if desired
- Ideal when the original finish is worn away or when adding new hardwood
Not Sure What You Need? Try This Simple Test
Wet a washcloth and apply it to a worn section of your floor.
If it becomes shiny, a recoat may be all you need.
If the area looks worse or stays dull, you likely need a full refinish.
At Kelly’s Flooring, we walk you through this decision with transparency, giving you expert recommendations based on what’s best for your home—not what’s most expensive.
Dust-Free Hardwood Refinishing in St. Louis and Beyond
Traditional sanding can leave behind clouds of dust that settle into vents, drapes, and furniture—but not when you work with us. We use Bona’s Atomic Dust Containment System to collect 99.8% of airborne dust during the refinishing process.
That means:
- No messy post-job cleanup
- Cleaner indoor air
- Safer conditions for your family and pets
- A faster, more efficient project overall
This GREENGUARD-certified system is one of the cleanest and healthiest ways to refinish your hardwood floors.
Matching Existing Floors? We’ve Got You Covered
If you’re extending hardwood flooring into other rooms, we can blend the new with the old by refinishing the existing floors at the same time. This allows for a seamless match in color and finish—no obvious transitions or mismatched tones.
Choosing the Right Finish for Your Lifestyle
Kelly’s Flooring offers several finishing options to suit different traffic patterns, sheen levels, and budget preferences. Not sure which is right for your household? Our team will help you choose a finish that balances appearance with long-term wear performance.
Drying time reminders:
- Wait 48 hours before walking on the floors or replacing furniture.
- Wait 30 days before placing area rugs to allow for full curing.
Thinking About Refinishing Your Hardwood Floors?
Kelly’s Flooring proudly serves homeowners in St. Louis, Fenton, Ballwin, Wildwood, and surrounding Missouri communities. Whether your floors need a light refresh or a full transformation, we’ll help you make the right call. Let’s bring the beauty back to your floors—without the dust and guesswork.
Contact us today to learn more!
