Hardwood Floor Refinishing in Atlanta, GA — Sand, Stain & Seal

Hardwood floor refinishing in Atlanta means sanding down the top layer of your existing hardwood floor to remove scratches, stains, and worn finish, then applying new stain and polyurethane to restore its appearance and protection. A full refinish includes: drum or orbital sanding to remove 1/16-inch of wood (removing all surface damage), edge sanding to reach corners and walls, application of stain in your chosen color (or clear for natural tone), and 2–3 coats of water-based or oil-based polyurethane. The result looks like new hardwood without the cost of replacement. We can also do a screen-and-recoat (buff and new topcoat only, no stain change) for floors that just look dull but are not scratched through — this costs less ($1.00–$1.50 per sq ft) and is done in one day. Floor refinishing is closely related to hardwood installation — if your floors are too thin to sand again (less than 3/8-inch thickness remains) or are water-damaged beyond repair, we can discuss new hardwood installation. Our guide to floor refinishing cost breaks down the full cost comparison.

Hardwood floor refinishing in Atlanta costs $2.50–$5 per square foot. A basic screen-and-recoat runs $1.00–$1.50 per sq ft and is done in 1 day. A full sand, stain, and refinish runs $2.50–$4 per sq ft for most Atlanta homes. Premium refinishing with custom stain colors, hand-buffing between coats, and oil-based finish runs $3.50–$5 per sq ft. For a 500 sq ft ground-floor refinishing project, expect $1,250–$2,500. For a 1,000 sq ft whole-floor refinish, budget $2,500–$5,000. Moving furniture is not included in the base price — add $0.25–$0.50 per sq ft or do it yourself before the crew arrives. Prices are approximate and based on 2026 Atlanta market averages. Actual costs vary based on project size, floor condition, and finish selection. Contact us for a free personalized estimate.

Our refinishing process starts with a floor assessment: we check for protruding nail heads, check the remaining wood thickness (3/4-inch solid hardwood can be refinished 4–5 times; engineered hardwood can typically handle 1–2 refinishes depending on veneer thickness), and identify any boards that need replacement before sanding. On refinishing day, we mask off adjacent rooms to contain dust, use drum and edger sanders with sequential grits (36 > 60 > 80 > 100 grit), then apply stain and let it dry fully before the first polyurethane coat. Between coats, we lightly screen the surface for adhesion. Water-based polyurethane dries faster (2–3 hours between coats, 24-hour walk time). Oil-based takes longer but produces a warmer amber tone. Complete projects typically span 2–3 days including dry time.

Floor refinishing provides the highest return on investment of any flooring project in the Atlanta market. Refinishing a 1,000 sq ft floor costs $2,500–$5,000. Replacing that same area with new hardwood costs $6,000–$14,000. The finished result is essentially identical in appearance. Atlanta's real estate market amplifies this ROI — spring home listings with freshly refinished hardwood consistently command higher offers than comparable homes with worn or carpet-covered floors. Many Atlanta homes from the 1980s through 2000s have original oak hardwood under carpet that homeowners discover only during renovation. These floors, often 30–40 years old, are excellent candidates for refinishing — they have significant wood thickness remaining and the grain and species (often red oak) are period-appropriate for the home. We find these hidden floors in Marietta, Lawrenceville, Kennesaw, and Douglasville frequently.

Atlanta Flooring Pros refinishes hardwood floors across all 44 Metro Atlanta communities. High-volume refinishing markets include Alpharetta, Marietta, Roswell, Suwanee, Kennesaw, Cumming, Lawrenceville, and Decatur, where substantial 1980s–2000s housing stock has original hardwood ready for restoration. Visit your area page for local pricing.

Call (470) 369-6470 or submit the form below. We respond within 15 minutes during business hours. Free estimates include a floor thickness check to confirm refinishing is viable.