Compare floor refinishing costs across different wood species from budget-friendly oak to premium exotic hardwoods with our comprehensive pricing guide.
Your beautiful hardwood floors have lost their shine, but replacing them feels overwhelming. The good news? Refinishing breathes new life into tired wood floors at a fraction of replacement costs. However, the floor refinishing cost varies dramatically depending on your wood type, with some species costing double others.
The Budget-Friendly Champions
Some wood types won’t break the bank when refinishing time arrives. These popular options offer excellent value without sacrificing durability or beauty.
Oak flooring remains the most economical choice for refinishing projects. Oak costs about $3–$5 per square foot, making it budget-friendly for most homeowners. Its durability and ease of refinishing make contractors comfortable working with it, keeping labor costs reasonable.
Pine flooring falls into the softwood category, offering even lower costs. Softwood refinishing typically runs $4–$7 per square foot, though pine requires extra care due to its softer nature.
Key benefits of budget-friendly woods:
- Widely available contractors experienced with these materials
- Standard refinishing techniques apply
- Multiple refinishing cycles possible over the floor’s lifetime
- Predictable results with fewer surprises
The Mid-Range Performers
These wood types strike a perfect balance between cost and character, offering unique grain patterns and colors without premium pricing.
Cherry flooring refinishing typically costs between $3 and $5 per square foot, similar to oak pricing. Cherry’s natural beauty makes it relatively straightforward to refinish, though its color-changing properties require skilled handling.
Maple flooring presents slightly higher costs due to its density. Complex woods, like maple, are about double the price to refinish compared to oak, putting maple in the $6–$8 per square foot range.
Hardwood refinishing generally costs $3–$8 per square foot for standard species, making these mid-range options accessible for most renovation budgets.
