Who doesn’t love hardwood floors? For centuries hardwood has been the default for building lovely and inviting homes–and they couldn’t be easier to clean. Best of all, they last forever…until they don’t. Then what do you do?

Refinishing hardwood is always an option, but floors can only be redone so many times before there’s no wood left to stain! On top of that, refinishing is a lengthy process that’s dirty and labor-intensive, turning your home into a construction zone clouded with sawdust and chemical fumes. Sure, refinishing is great for minor surface-level cosmetic damage like scratches and tiny scrapes, but it doesn’t fix the underlying issues that could leave your floors feeling springy or soft.

At Dan’s Wholesale Carpet and Flooring, our flooring experts are here to help you decide what’s best for your home. Here are a few facts about the pros and cons of refinishing vs. replacing your hardwood floors. 

When to Replace Your Hardwood Floors

If your floors are suffering from water damage, deep scuffs or gouges, pet stains, or mold, it’s time to replace them. These kinds of intense wear and tear are no match for sanding and resealing and if not properly addressed could lead to severe structural and moisture issues. The same goes for subfloor repairs. If you’re addressing structural problems related to your subfloor, it’s likely that your existing flooring is also out of shape and ready to be replaced. 

Hardwood floors that have been refinished more than 3-5 times should be replaced, too. One of the enormous benefits of hardwood flooring is that it can last 20-30 years between refinishing, but the sanding required wears down the surface of the wood until you’re left with a dull, unappealing floor that just looks tired and old. If your floorboards have been redone to the point that finishing nails are poking through or the tongue and groove fittings are no longer snug, they’re beyond their useful lifespan and it’s time to replace. 

Loose-fitting, squeaky, or crowned flooring is also ready to be replaced. In this case, you might be able to replace only the sections of the floor where these issues are persistent, but regardless, this is a situation where replacement is a wiser choice than refinishing. 

Types of Hardwood Flooring

Dan’s Wholesale Carpet and Flooring offers a massive inventory of hardwood flooring to meet your needs. The main types of hardwood floors are solid wood, engineered wood, factory-finished wood, and hand-scraped wood.

1. Solid Wood – The classic choice. Solid wood floorboards are milled from a single piece of lumber, making them thicker and sturdier than other types of flooring. Solid wood can last a lifetime and should be refinished every 20-30 years (between 3-5 times total) for a fresh look that will never go out of style.
2. Engineered Wood – Engineered wood flooring is made by layering a thin plank of solid wood flooring on top of a plywood base layer. Though more cost-effective than solid wood, engineered wood floors aren’t quite as durable, but they are better at minimizing moisture damage than their more expensive counterparts. 
3. Factory-Finished Wood Flooring – These solid wood floors come from the factory with finishing treatment already applied to the surface of the wood. This added layer of protection increases the durability of the material and helps prevent moisture from seeping into your new floors. 
4. Hand-Scraped Wood – Available in both solid and engineered wood, this type of flooring undergoes a hand-scraping process where each board is individually finished with a knife to create a unique distressed finish that’s becoming increasingly popular with modern interior designers.

Other Flooring Options

Are you ready for a new floor? Maybe you’re tired of hardwood and could go for a plush carpet? How about tile? Vinyl? Laminate? Kids and pets don’t always play nice with hardwood floors, so it’s understandable that you might be looking for an alternative. No matter the style of flooring you’re after, the knowledgeable and friendly folks at Dan’s Wholesale Carpet and Flooring can help you select the right flooring material for your next project. 

Give us a call at (888) SHOP-123, click the free consultation button at the top of this page, or say hello at any one of our five convenient Northeast Ohio locations so we can help you start your flooring upgrade off on the right foot!