Refinishing hardwood floors is one of the best-value upgrades you can make to a home — and a little preparation makes it go faster, cleaner and smoother. Here’s the checklist we share with homeowners before a refinishing job.
One to Two Weeks Before
- Plan where you’ll live. You’ll be off the floors during sanding and while finish dries. Plan to use other rooms, stay with family or schedule the work around a trip.
- Plan for pets. Dogs and cats should stay off the floor while finish dries, and away from the noise and dust. Boarding or a friend’s house is often easiest.
- Pick your stain and sheen. We’ll put samples right on your floor. Matte and satin sheens hide scratches and dust better than semi-gloss.
- Finish other projects first. Painting walls and trim, electrical work and cabinet installs should happen before the final coat, not after.
The Day Before
- Empty the rooms completely — furniture, rugs, curtains that reach the floor, plants and wall art near the floor.
- Clear closets if they’re being refinished.
- Take down floor-level items like floor vents (we’ll handle them if you prefer) and door stops.
- Protect other spaces. Close doors to rooms not being worked on and cover items in adjoining areas.
- Shut off HVAC if asked, so dust isn’t circulated and finish can cure properly.
During the Project
- Stay off the floor between coats. Even socks can leave marks in fresh finish.
- Expect some odor, especially with oil-modified finishes. Water-based finishes have much less.
- Keep windows closed during finishing unless we tell you otherwise; dust and bugs love fresh finish.
- Ask questions. If something looks off, say so — it’s much easier to adjust between coats.
After the Final Coat
Cure times depend on the finish. Typical guidance for water-based polyurethane:
- About 24 hours: light sock-foot traffic.
- About 2–4 days: furniture can return — lift it, don’t slide it, and add felt pads first.
- About 2 weeks: rugs can go back down.
- About 2–4 weeks: full cure. Avoid wet cleaning until then.
Oil-modified finishes generally take longer at each step. We’ll give you specific times for your product.
Keeping Your New Finish Looking Great
- Felt pads under every chair and table leg — and check them a few times a year.
- Mats at exterior doors, especially in winter (see protecting floors from road salt).
- Sweep or vacuum often; clean with a pH-neutral hardwood cleaner and a barely damp mop.
- Keep humidity between about 35–55%.
- Plan a screen and recoat every few years in high-traffic areas.
Ready to get started? Learn about our hardwood floor refinishing service or see what refinishing costs.
Talk to a Local Flooring Pro
Every home is different, and the best answer comes from someone looking at your actual floor. Crow Hill Hardwoods has been installing and refinishing floors across Greater Syracuse since 1992. Request a free, written estimate, call (315) 246-4425, or stop by the showroom at 2 W Main St in Marcellus, Monday–Friday 10am–4pm.
