Floor Refinishing in Chicago: A Cost Effective Alternative to Replacement

a living room with oak flooring
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Floor refinishing in Chicago has become popular for revitalizing worn-out flooring without breaking the bank. Over time, even the most durable flooring materials can show signs of wear and tear, losing their initial luster. At this point, homeowners begin considering their options – to replace or refinish?

This article will explore the benefits of floor refinishing and why it is a budget-friendly solution for homeowners and businesses.

Why Refinish Your Flooring?

Over time, hardwood floors can show signs of wear and tear, such as scratches and dullness. This affects the floors’ appearance and diminishes the overall aesthetic appeal of their rooms.

Dull-looking floors can also harm the value of a property. Maintaining high-quality flooring is essential, given the importance of hardwood flooring in today’s homes and businesses.

Floor replacement might seem like the go-to solution, but it often involves substantial costs and inconvenience. This is where floor refinishing emerges as a cost-effective and highly efficient alternative.

Floor refinishing essentially involves reviving your existing flooring, restoring its original sheen, and even improving its durability.

Benefits of Floor Refinishing

an open plan living and kitchen area with solid oak flooring

Floor refinishing in Chicago offers several advantages over complete floor replacement:

  • Cost-Effective: Choosing floor refinishing instead of full-scale replacement significantly reduces the financial burden. Refinishing allows you to restore the shine and beauty of your floors at a fraction of the replacement cost.
  • Time-Saving: Complete replacements can be time-consuming, requiring each process step to be completed before moving on to the next. In contrast, floor refinishing is a faster process with minimal downtime.
  • Long-Lasting Results: Refinishing ensures that your floors maintain their new-like shine and surface for an extended period. Unlike temporary floor polishes, refinishing provides long-lasting results.
  • Variety of Options: When refinishing original wood flooring, many options are available for repair and customization. Some service providers offer custom coloring and finishing services to match any style preference.
  • Restoration of Original Beauty: Refinishing can bring back the original beauty and luster of your hardwood floors. Refinishing can remove scratches, dents, and other accumulated marks over the years.
  • Increased Home Value: Refinished floors can increase the value of your home. They enhance the overall look of the home, which can be beneficial if you’re considering selling in the future.
  • Environmental-Friendly: Choosing to refinish rather than replace is a more environmentally friendly decision. It reduces the demand for new flooring materials and eliminates the waste produced from removing and disposing of old flooring.

Floor refinishing is a great way to bring back the charm and character of your floors. It’s a sustainable choice that saves time, money, and resources while providing you with beautiful and long-lasting results.

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How Does Floor Refinishing Work?

oak flooring with a winding staircase in an open plan home

Floor refinishing involves several essential steps to achieve top-quality, long-lasting results. The process typically includes gradually removing old stain coats using sandpaper until reaching the bare wood.

Then, multiple coating treatments are applied, followed by a protective coat to enhance durability and create a beautiful lustre.

The process includes: 

A professional floor refinisher starts by assessing the condition of the floor to determine the extent of damage and the level of work required. The area will then be cleared of furniture and other items. The floor is thoroughly cleaned to remove dirt, dust, and other debris.

Any damaged areas, such as loose floorboards, deep scratches, or dents, are repaired. If necessary, some boards may be replaced to ensure a consistent look after refinishing.

The main step in the process is sanding. The professional uses a floor sander to remove the old finish and the top layer of the wood, revealing a fresh layer beneath. This step might be repeated with progressively finer sandpaper to ensure a smooth surface.

Once this process is finished, there will be a significant amount of dust which will need to be meticulously cleaned up. 

The final step is the application of a finish. This could be a polyurethane, varnish, or another type of sealant, which protects the floor and gives it a shiny, clean look. Usually, multiple coats are applied, with adequate drying time in between.

After the final coat of finish is applied, the floor must cure, or harden. This process can take a few days to a week, during which time the floor should not be walked on.

Finding a Reputable Refinishing Service Provider in Chicago

oak flooring in a hallway

When it comes to floor refinishing, it is important to find a reputable service provider to ensure satisfactory work and avoid starting from scratch soon after treatment.

To begin your search, you can use search engines to find companies offering comprehensive flooring services in the Chicago area. However, rely on more than search results.

Take the time to research these companies by reading customer reviews on platforms like Google Business and Angie’s List. Pay attention to consistent feedback from past clients to make an informed decision that fits your requirements and budget.


Hardwood floors are a significant investment in any property, and regular maintenance is crucial to keep them looking their best.

Floor refinishing offers a cost-effective solution that achieves desired results while saving money and time compared to complete replacement.

By finding a reputable floor refinishing service provider in Chicago, anyone with dull floors can transform their property and create a welcoming environment.

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you, I will receive a very small commission if you click through and make a purchase. These links help to pay the editorial costs of writing a blog. For more information, please read my full affiliate disclosure here.

I also use Artificial Intelligence Image generators to create some of my images. These are to show you examples of my ideas and inspiration when I cannot produce the real images myself.

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