Refinishing is not suitable for every floor. If the damage goes through the finish and into the timber, or if the floor has movement, repairs, heavy staining or deep surface wear, a full sanding process is usually needed instead.
Examples where full floor sanding or broader wood floor restoration is often the better route include:
- deep scratches or gouges
- black water staining
- cupping, crowning or movement
- damaged boards or unstable parquet
- thick old coatings, paint or adhesive residues
- floors that need repairs before finishing
In these cases, refinishing alone may improve the surface temporarily, but it will not deal with the underlying problem.
Floor Polishing
Floor polishing is a maintenance-focused service designed to improve the appearance of wooden floors where the existing finish is still intact. It can help restore sheen, reduce surface dullness and improve the overall presentation of lacquered floors without the need for a full sanding process.
This type of work is most appropriate where the floor looks tired or lightly marked, but the protective finish has not worn through to bare wood. In these cases, polishing can improve the finish cosmetically and extend the floor’s appearance between more involved refinishing work.
Floor polishing is not suitable for every floor. Where deeper wear, coating failure or exposed timber is present, a more involved floor refinishing or full sanding process may be the better long-term solution. We assess the condition of the floor first and recommend the most appropriate approach based on how much wear has occurred and the condition of the existing finish.
Floor Staining & Colour Finishes
Floor staining is carried out after sanding to adjust the colour and overall appearance of a wooden floor. It allows for a wide range of finishes, from restoring natural warmth through to creating darker tones or more contemporary colour effects.
Many floors appear much lighter than expected once they have been sanded back to bare timber, particularly where older finishes have darkened or yellowed over time. In these cases, staining can be used to rebalance the colour, introduce depth, or achieve a completely new look depending on the property and interior style.
We offer a range of staining options, including classic wood tones and modern coloured finishes. Lighter treatments such as whitewashed or limed effects can suit contemporary spaces, while deeper stains can add contrast and character to more traditional properties. The final result will vary depending on the wood species, grain pattern and how the timber absorbs the stain.
Staining is always followed by an appropriate protective finish, such as lacquer or oil, to lock in the colour and provide long-term durability. Using coloured oils for staining is a vital part of our parquet floor sanding service, when we apply stains on your floors after guiding you through suitable colour options and samples to help achieve a finish that works with your space.
This is often requested as part of wider wood floor restoration or full floor sanding projects.
The Oil or Lacquer refinishing process depends heavily on the existing and intended finish system.
Oiled floors
Oiled floors behave differently. Oil penetrates into the timber rather than sitting on top as a film. Refinishing an oiled floor often requires a different preparation approach and may involve maintenance oiling, refreshing, or more targeted work depending on the condition of the surface.
Oiled floors are often chosen for:
- a more natural look
- a lower sheen finish
- easier local maintenance in some cases
- potentially easier for localised patch repairs
Lacquered floors
Lacquer creates a protective film on the surface of the wood. Refinishing lacquered floors often involves preparing the old coating correctly and applying fresh lacquer where the existing finish is suitable for recoating.
Lacquer systems are generally:
- durable
- lower maintenance
- well suited to family homes and heavier traffic areas
They are also the most common finish where maintenance recoats are considered.
We offer refinishing solutions for both lacquered and oiled wooden floors, but the correct method depends on the floor’s current condition and what has previously been used on it.
As part of the refinishing process, it is also possible to change the appearance of a wooden floor using pigmented finishes such as white oils, stains or coloured lacquers. These are often used to create lighter, more contemporary finishes while still allowing the natural grain of the timber to remain visible.
The final result depends on the wood type, preparation and product choice. Oak floors, for example, respond particularly well to white finishes, while softwoods and engineered floors require more careful selection to avoid uneven results.
To understand the differences between white oil, white stain and lacquer systems in more detail, see our
guide to whitewashed wooden floors.
A scrub and recoat, sometimes called a maintenance recoat, is a more limited form of refinishing. This is only suitable where the existing finish is still intact enough to accept a new coat and the wear has not gone too far into the surface.
This approach is most commonly used on lacquered floors that:
- have lost some sheen
- show light wear in traffic areas
- do not need deep correction
- do not have contamination, waxes or severe finish failure
A scrub and recoat is not the same as full sanding. It refreshes the protective layer rather than reshaping or correcting the wood beneath.
Where it is viable, it can be a useful maintenance option. Where it is not, a full sanding or more involve wooden floor repair services may be needed.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming every tired-looking floor only needs a fresh top coat. In reality, the success of refinishing depends on things like:
- the condition of the existing finish
- whether contaminants are present on the surface
- the amount of wear in the timber itself
- previous sanding history
- whether the floor is lacquered or oiled
- whether movement, gaps or repairs are needed first
This is why inspection matters. A floor that looks restorable with a recoat may actually need floor repairs or a full sanding process before a new finish will perform properly.
Where refinishing is suitable, the process is usually more controlled and limited than a full re-sand. Depending on the floor and finish, this may include:
- inspection and suitability check
- minor preparation or repairs where needed
- surface preparation / light abrasion
- cleaning and contamination removal
- application of the most appropriate finish system
- drying and aftercare guidance
The exact process depends on whether the floor is being re-lacquered, re-oiled, or taken slightly further as part of a more involved refinishing project.
Check out our professional floor sanding video to get an idea of the finishing sanding machines we use along with some floor finishing techniques we utilise for our floor sanding projects.
Refinishing can significantly improve the appearance of a wooden floor by restoring sheen, evening out worn areas and providing a fresh, protective finish.
Depending on the chosen system, this may include:
– restoring a consistent finish across the floor
– reducing the visibility of light surface scratches
– enhancing natural grain and colour
– changing the overall tone using staining or pigmented finishes
However, refinishing is only effective where the underlying structure of the floor is sound.
Floor refinishing is often more affordable than a full sanding project, but the final cost depends on the condition of the floor, the finish system, and how much preparation is required.
In general:
- maintenance recoats are usually at the lighter end of the scale
- more involved refinishing sits between a basic recoat and a full sanding project
- floors needing repairs or deeper correction are often better treated through sanding rather than refinishing alone
For full pricing guidance and general cost ranges, see our floor sanding prices.
Can both lacquered and oiled floors be refinished?
Can both lacquered and oiled floors be refinished?
Yes, but they need different approaches. Lacquered floors and oiled floors behave differently, so the correct method depends on the finish already on the floor and its condition.
When is refinishing not enough?
When is refinishing not enough?
Refinishing is usually not enough where there is deep damage, movement, heavy staining, failed repairs, or widespread finish breakdown.
How long does refinishing take?
How long does refinishing take?
Timescales vary depending on the size area, and which products and system we use for refinishing, but is generally a process we can get done within the same day the vast majority of the time.
Is refinishing better than sanding?
Refinishing is not necessarily better or worse — it depends on the condition of the floor. Where the structure is sound and wear is limited to the surface, refinishing can be a simpler and less invasive option. Where the floor has deeper damage or uneven wear, sanding is usually the more appropriate approach.
If your wooden floor looks tired, worn or patchy but may not need a full re-sand, we can assess whether refinishing is the right approach. A proper inspection will determine whether a simple recoat is sufficient or whether further work is needed for a durable result.
For more involved work, you may also need:
