Buffing vs. Sanding

It’s in the nature of all hardwood floors to be susceptible to signs of wear-and-tear like scratches, grooves, sun discoloration, and other damages. It is also in the nature of hardwood floors to bounce back from these things!

There are two methods that hardwood flooring professionals use to restore hardwood floors: buffing and sanding. Many people don’t know they have these restoration options, or don’t understand the difference between the two, so let’s clarify!

A buff and coat is more of a maintenance procedure that should be done about every 5-years to extend the life of your floors. In this process, the hardwood flooring specialist buffs down the finish of your floor down to the last coat of polyurethane - it does not go down to the bare wood or remove your stain. This process allows you to remove superficial scratches and discoloration from your floor’s finish and gives your floors a fresh new coat of finish.

The sanding and refinishing process goes deeper - it takes off the floor’s finish as well as the surface of the damaged wood. This process reveals a new layer of your hardwood floors, and allows you to stain it a completely different color if you want to! For severely damaged hardwood, this is the process you want to select.

Breaking it all down to conclude: “Sanding takes care of deep imperfections and allows homeowners to change the color of their hardwood floors. Buffing is simpler, faster, less disruptive, costs less and extends the life of wood boards” (Royal Wood Floor).

Is your floor in need of a buff and coat or sand and refinish? Contact us today to schedule a free estimate and we will tell you which process your floor needs to look as good as new!