Hardwood floor refinishing services
Prior Lake, Minnesota
Also known as sanding, buffing, recoating, buff and coat, buff n' coat, buff and recoating, floor coating, floor resurfacing. . .
Wood floor sanding and refinishing services in Prior Lake, Minnesota
At Above All Flooring, we've been restoring worn hardwood floors to their original beauty for over 25 years in the Twin Cities.
From minor scratches to full refinishing jobs, our process transforms old, dull wood into floors you’ll fall in love with again.
Proudly Minnesota Family Owned + Operated since 1996.
Why choose professional hardwood floor refinishing services?
Revitalized Appearance.
Expert sanding and finishing removes scratches, dents, and worn surfaces—revealing the wood’s natural grain and original warmth.
Customized Look.
Explore thousands of floor stain colors to match your vision. Our Custom Stain Shop can even create a personalized stain blend to perfectly complement your home’s style.
Eco-Friendly + Cost Effective.
Refinishing is substantially more affordable than replacing flooring—and offers a strong return on investment while reusing existing materials.
Floor Refinishing Process + Timeline
We’ll come to you
Free estimate.
Our team comes to you for a free, in-home estimate tailored to your flooring project.
Once approved, we’ll schedule your project at a time that fits your needs.
2 weeks before project
Stain Consultation.
About 2 weeks before your scheduled project, we’ll visit your home to apply a stain sample—helping you make a confident final selection.
3 - 4 days
Refinishing.
Sanding, optional stain application, and protective coating are typically completed over 2 to 4 days, depending on the size of the area and finish selected.
Depending on dry times
Final Touches.
Drying times and final steps may vary depending on the specific finish chosen for your project.
How long does hardwood refinishing take?
Drying times and final steps may vary depending on the specific finish chosen for your project.
Water-Based Finish
Dry time: 2-4 hours
Fully cured: 7 days
Walk on floors (socks, no shoes): 3-4 hours
Place furniture: 72 hours
Rugs + cleaning: 2 weeks
Oil-Based Finish
Dry time: 8-12 hours
Fully cured: 30 days
Walk on floors (socks, no shoes): 8-12 hours
Place furniture: 72 hours
Rugs + cleaning: 2 weeks
Additional Steps
Moving furniture:
Our crew is happy to do the heavy lifting as an add-on service.
Disconnect + remove appliances:
For gas appliances and toilets, professional reconnection is necessary.
Remove baseboards + trim:
Baseboards, trim, and doors will need to be removed before the project. You can replace them with new ones or reuse them if you like. Usually, doors can stay put. We'll let you know if removal is needed before we start. If you prefer, we can take care of this for you as an extra service.
What type of floor finish should I use?
Water-Based Polyurethane Finish
Pros:
Fast drying time - typically dries in 2–4 hours per coat; full cure in ~7 days.
Low odor & VOCs - more eco-friendly and better for indoor air quality.
Clear, natural appearance - enhances wood without yellowing.
Great for light woods - preserves natural color.
Cons:
Shorter lifespan - generally lasts 7–10 years with normal wear.
Less depth and warmth - doesn’t bring out wood grain as richly as oil-based.
May raise the grain – requires light sanding between coats.
Higher cost – product is often more expensive than oil-based.
Oil-Based Polyurethane Finish
Pros:
Durable & long-lasting – often lasts 10–15+ years.
Rich, warm appearance – deepens wood tone over time.
Slightly more forgiving – easier for DIYers to apply without streaks.
Fewer coats needed – thicker consistency may mean only 2 coats.
Cons:
Slow drying – 8–24 hours per coat; full cure takes ~30 days.
Strong odor & high VOCs – requires good ventilation.
Ambering effect – wood darkens/yellows over time.
Longer downtime – may delay furniture return and foot traffic.
| Feature | Water-Based Finish | Oil-Based Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Time | 2 – 4 hours per coat | 8 – 24 hours per coat |
| Appearance | Clear, retains wood color | Amber, warms over time |
| Durability | 7 – 10 years | 10 – 15+ years |
| VOC Levels + Odor | Low | High |
| Cure Time | ~7 days | ~30 days |
| Best For | Light wood, faster projects | High-traffic, warm tone look |
What’s the difference between buffing and refinishing hardwood floors?
Buffing or buff & coat
(also called screen and recoat) is a light surface treatment that removes minor scuffs, surface scratches, and dullness. It involves lightly abrading the top layer of finish and applying a new coat of polyurethane—without sanding down to the raw wood.
Best for floors in good condition
Quick + cost-effective
Won’t fix deep damage or stains
Refinishing
involves sanding the floor down to bare wood to remove deep damage, discoloration, or old finish. It’s followed by staining (optional) and applying multiple coats of protective finish.
Ideal for heavily worn + scratched floors
Restores to like-new appearance + durability
Takes longer + costs more than buffing
Frequently asked questions:
Considering hardwood floor refinishing but have questions?
Contact us or schedule a free in-home estimate to learn more about your project options and what to expect.
(952) 440-9663
Visit our Prior Lake Flooring Showroom
16861 Welcome Ave SE Prior Lake, MN 55372
Download a copy of our flooring services guide
How do I get started?
The best way to begin your floor refinishing project is by scheduling a free in-home estimate with our expert team. We’ll visit your space, take accurate measurements, provide product recommendations, and answer all your questions—so you can move forward with confidence.
Call us at (952) 440-9663 or click here to get started.
How often should hardwood floors be refinished?
Most hardwood floors should be refinished every 7 to 10 years, depending on wear, lifestyle, and finish type. However, some high-traffic homes or commercial spaces may need refinishing more frequently—especially if you notice.
How often should hardwood floors be buffed?
Hardwood floors should typically be buffed (screened and recoated) every 3 to 5 years, depending on wear and maintenance.
How do I clean my hardwood floor?
Check out page 6 of our Flooring + Services Guide for step-by-step instructions and expert tips—or click here to view it now.
Can engineered hardwood floors be refinished?
Yes—but it depends on the thickness of the wear layer. Engineered hardwood floors can typically be refinished once or twice, but only if the top layer of real hardwood (called the wear layer) is thick enough—usually 2mm or more. Thinner layers may not withstand sanding and could be damaged in the process. Not sure about your floor? Our expert team can evaluate it during a free in-home estimate and help you decide the best path forward.
Please note we accept Discover, Mastercard, and Visa.
