If you’re a Kansas City homeowner looking at your scratched or worn hardwood floors, you might wonder, “Can I refinish my floors, or are they too damaged?” At Premium Wood Floors KC, your local Kansas City hardwood flooring contractor, we hear this question a lot. Good news: most hardwood floors can be refinished and look amazing again, even if they seem beat up. This guide will help you figure out if refinishing is possible, spot signs that mean replacement, and show why refinishing is often a smart, budget-friendly choice. Let’s get started and answer your question clearly!
Why Hardwood Floors Are Worth Saving
Hardwood floors make Kansas City homes special, from cozy Brookside bungalows to downtown lofts. They’re tough, boost your home’s value, and can last for years with care. Refinishing can make them look new without the high cost of replacing them. But how do you know if your floors can be saved? Let’s break it down with simple steps.
Step 1: Check If Your Floors Are Thick Enough
Refinishing means sanding the floor’s surface to remove scratches and stains, then adding a new finish. Your floors need enough wood to sand without damage.
- How to check: Look at the floorboard edges, like near a vent or door. Solid hardwood is about ¾-inch thick and can be refinished 5–10 times. Engineered wood has a thinner top layer (1–6 mm), so it may only take 1–3 refinishes.
- What to look for: If the wood looks very thin (less than 1 mm) or the edges are worn out, refinishing might not work.
- Pro tip: Not sure? Call Premium Wood Floors KC for a free check. Our Kansas City team can measure your floor’s thickness.
Step 2: Look at the Damage
Most damage can be fixed with refinishing. Here’s what to check for:
- Scratches and scuffs: Light or even deep scratches can usually be sanded out.
- Water stains: Light stains come out with sanding. Dark or warped spots might need some boards replaced, but refinishing often still works.
- Gaps or loose boards: We can fill gaps or fix loose boards before refinishing.
- Warped or curled boards: Slight warping can be refinished. Bad warping may need a few boards replaced first.
- Pet stains or smells: Small stains can be sanded. Deep odors might need extra care, but most floors can be saved.
If your floors have lots of rot, mold, or termite damage, you might need to replace them. Our team at Premium Wood Floors KC can check this for you.
Step 3: Think About Your Floor’s Age and Type
Older Kansas City homes, like those in Waldo or Hyde Park, often have solid oak or maple floors. These are great for refinishing. Newer homes might have engineered wood or laminate, which looks like hardwood but may not be refinishable.
- Solid hardwood: Can be refinished many times if it’s thick enough.
- Engineered hardwood: Check the top layer’s thickness. Good ones can be refinished a few times.
- Laminate or vinyl: These can’t be refinished, but Premium Wood Floors KC can install new hardwood floors.
Fun fact: Many Kansas City homes from the 1900s have floors that have been refinished for years and still look great!
Step 4: Watch for Warning Signs
Some problems mean your floors might need more than refinishing:
- Deep gouges to the subfloor: If damage goes through the wood, those spots may need replacing.
- Lots of mold or rot: This shows major water damage and might mean a new floor.
- Very thin engineered wood: If it’s been sanded before, more sanding could ruin it.
- Many cracked or splintered boards: A few damaged boards can be fixed, but if most are bad, wood floor replacement might save money.
Not sure what you’re seeing? Don’t guess. Our team at offers free estimates to help you decide.
Why Choose Refinishing Over Replacement?
Refinishing is often the best choice for homeowners. Here’s why:
- Saves money: Refinishing costs 30–50% less than new floors.
- Better for the planet: It keeps your floors out of landfills.
- Fast: Refinishing takes a few days, while replacement can take a week.
- Your style: Pick new colors or finishes, like classic oak or modern gray.
At Premium Wood Floors KC, we use dustless sanding and safe finishes to make the process easy and family-friendly. See examples of our work in our gallery to get inspired by stunning refinished and new floors.
When to Replace Instead
If your floors are too thin, have major damage, or aren’t real hardwood, new floors might be better. Our wood floor installation services can give your Kansas City home beautiful, long-lasting hardwood that fits your style and budget.
Trust Premium Wood Floors KC
At Premium Wood Floors KC, we love making Kansas City floors shine. Whether you need refinishing or new floors, our team uses top materials and skills to get it right. We serve all of Kansas City, from Overland Park to the Crossroads, with fair prices and great service.
Want more flooring tips and are not in our service area? Visit the https://nwfa.org/ for another trusted source. Ready to fix your floors? Contact Premium Wood Floors KC at our Kansas City location or check our homepage to book a free inspection. Let’s make your floors look amazing!
Premium Wood Floors KC
Serving Kansas City, Overland Park, and Surrounding Areas
(913) 713-5873
