Sandless Refinishing Vs. Regular Refinishing

Overall Costs

• Regular refinishing requires the rental of a floor sander, as well as the purchase of sanding pads for the machine. Rental rates can vary but are usually charged by the hour. Depending on the amount of flooring that needs to be refinished, this can add up quickly.

  Sandless refinishing requires either a chemical or a heat gun. A heat gun is a small investment, usually less than $50 and does not use that much electricity. Chemicals to remove the finish on the floor are typically priced in the $30 to $50 range per bottle.

Project Clean-up Times

• The amount of time spent cleaning up during regular refinishing is significant. Floors need to be sanded three times during a complete restoration. This means you have to vacuum up the dust three separate times, and then again after each coat of stain or polyurethane.

  Removing the protective coat on the floor with a heat gun or a chemical product requires some cleanup, but it is not excessive and does not take much more than a few extra minutes while you work.

Safety Issues

• The main safety issue with sandless refinishing are the noxious fumes produced by the chemicals. If you are sensitive to fumes, it can be overpowering. Heat guns offer an alternative that is less noxious.

  Sanding produces an incredible amount of dust. If you do not wear a mask, this dust can irritate your lungs and may even cause long-term problems. In addition, the dust can permeate the entire house and get into the ventilation system, causing problems for everyone.

Length of the Project

• Regular refinishing can take days to complete, depending on the amount of sanding needed. Sandless refinishing cuts down on the time spent getting rid of the original varnish or poly coat, speeding up the process. Both methods, however, are equal when it comes to staining and finishing the wood. You still have to wait four to six hours for each coat of stain to dry, and then an additional eight hours for the polyurethane coats to dry.