Find top rated wood flooring refinish pros in Columbus, OH

The hardest wood floor finish is aluminum oxide, but it only comes on prefinished boards. If you want something durable you can add after installation, acid-cured is your best bet. The key to the longevity of any type of wood floor is a maintenance coat when a traffic pattern begins to show in high traffic areas.

Moisture-cured urethane is the most durable finish for homes with pets. However, It contains a lot of (VOCs) that can aggravate pets and people, especially at first. If you’re looking for a low-VOC alternative, water-based polyurethane is your best bet.

Bona sells several highly-rated polyurethane hardwood floor finish products, typically through small, local distributors. Brands like DuraSeal or Minwax also rank well for durability and ease of application. They are available at businesses such as Walmart and Amazon.

You have to seal unfinished hardwood floors to protect them from scratches and stains. The frequency depends on the type, but in general it’s ideal to refinish them between four and six times in their lifetime. This comes out to about every seven to 10 years.

Refinishing hardwood floors costs $1,100 to $2,400.

Wood stain adds a color to the surface. A finish adds a level of shine (e.g. matte, low-gloss, high-gloss) and seals the grain to protect against damage. Some companies, such as Minwax, offer products that do both at once.