Maintenance

Clean &
Re-Coat

The smart way to extend your hardwood's life. A 1–2 day refresh every 5–10 years that adds years of protection — at roughly 1/3 the cost of a full refinish.

Beautifully maintained wide-plank hardwood floor in a lived-in North Idaho home, finish intact and catching natural light
Why It Matters

Never Sand to
Bare Wood Again

The beauty of site-finished hardwood is that if you maintain it, it rarely needs to be sanded to bare wood and completely refinished. A clean and re-coat every 5–10 years keeps the finish layer intact — preventing wear-through, scratches, and that "tired" look.

This is the maintenance step that protects the investment you already made in your floors. Skip it for too long, and you're looking at a full refinish.

Our Process

Four Steps to a
Like-New Finish

01

Deep Clean

Thorough cleaning to remove dirt, oils, and surface contaminants that would prevent the new finish from bonding.

02

Light Abrasion

A light sanding to scuff the existing finish, remove minor scratches, and create a surface the new coat can grip.

03

Fresh Finish

A fresh coat of commercial-grade waterborne polyurethane goes down — adding years of life without the smell of oil-based finishes.

04

Cure & Return

Light foot traffic is safe within hours, and the finish reaches full cure in about a week. We walk you through simple care so your floors keep looking new for years.

The Math

1/3 the Cost.
3x the Lifespan.

A clean and re-coat typically runs about a third of what a full refinish costs — and done on the 5–10 year cadence, it can keep your original site-finished floor looking new for decades without ever needing to be sanded to bare wood. It's the single highest-leverage thing you can do for your hardwood investment.

Common Questions

Clean & Re-Coat FAQ

When should I clean and re-coat instead of refinishing?

If your floors have surface scratches and dulled finish but no exposed bare wood, a clean and re-coat is the right call. As long as the existing finish is still intact, we can deep-clean, lightly abrade, and add a fresh coat — extending the life of your floor without sanding to bare wood.

How often should I have my floors re-coated?

Every 5–10 years depending on traffic. High-traffic homes (kids, dogs, lots of guests) lean toward 5 years; lower-traffic homes can stretch to 10. Re-coating before the finish wears through is what keeps you from ever needing a full refinish.

How long does the process take?

Most clean and re-coat projects are a 1–2 day process. We deep-clean, lightly sand to give the new finish a surface to bond to, then apply a fresh coat of commercial-grade waterborne polyurethane.

Will my house smell for days afterward?

No. We use a commercial-grade waterborne polyurethane that has very low odor and cures quickly — none of the heavy off-gassing you get with oil-based finishes.

How much does it cost compared to a full refinish?

Roughly 1/3 the cost of a complete refinish, and a fraction of the disruption to your home. That's why we recommend doing it before the finish wears through to bare wood — it's far more cost-effective than waiting until a refinish is required.

Free Re-Coat Estimate

Catch It Before
You Need a Refinish

If your floors look dull or are starting to show wear, a re-coat now is far cheaper than a refinish later. Free in-home estimates across Coeur d'Alene, Hayden, Post Falls, and the surrounding North Idaho area.

Schedule My Estimate