Flooring: Refinishing vs. Replacement

Flooring: Refinishing vs. Replacement.

Before I pitched my floor refinishing plans to “he-who-must-have-his-say, “ I wanted to compare the price and the environmental impact of refinishing vs. replacement.

In thiscomparison I use three of the most widely used floorings, available at your local building or hardware store.

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The Break down: DIY costs and sustainability factors

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1. Refinishing Existing Wood Floors (DIY)

• Refinishing is often the most sustainable and cost-effective option.
• It keeps existing materials out of landfills and avoids the resource-heavy manufacturing of new flooring.
• However, replacement comes with a higher environmental and financial cost.

DIY Costs:

• Sander Rental: $50 – $80 per day
• Eco-Friendly Floor Paint or Stain: $20 – $50 per gallon
• Eco-Friendly Sealer/Varnish: $40 – $100 per gallon
• Miscellaneous Supplies (sandpaper, brushes, safety gear): $50 to $100
  

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Total Cost Per Sq. Ft.: $1.50 – $3.00

For 500 Sq. Ft.: $750 – $1,500

Disposal Considerations:

• Sanding dust may contain old toxic finishes. Dispose of it as hazardous waste if working with pre-1978 floors.
• Water-based finishes are safer and can be disposed of normally.
• Oily rags can spontaneously combust—store them in a sealed metal container with water before disposal.

Sustainability Impact:

• Extends floor lifespan without adding to landfill waste
• Lower carbon footprint than manufacturing and shipping new flooring
• Eco-friendly finishes available for a non-toxic, low-VOC result

2. DIY Floor Replacement Costs by Material

If refinishing isn’t an option, your floors are beyond repair and can’t be sanded. Or, if you want a different look—here’s what to expect cost-wise.

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A. Vinyl Flooring (Luxury Vinyl Planks/Tiles or Sheet Vinyl)

• Material Cost: $2 – $7 per sq. ft.
• Underlayment (if needed): $0.50 – $2 per sq. ft.
• •Adhesive (for glue-down types): $0.50 – $1 per sq. ft.
• Misc. Supplies (trim, transition strips, tools): $100 – $200 total
• Total Cost Per Sq. Ft.: $2 – $10
• For 500 Sq. Ft.: $1,000 – $5,000

Sustainability Considerations:

• ❌ Made from PVC (plastic), which has a high carbon footprint

• ❌ Not biodegradable and difficult to recycle

• ✔ Long lifespan (10-25 years) but still wasteful when replaced

B. Bamboo Flooring (Solid or Engineered)

•Material Cost: $2 – $10 per sq. ft.

• Underlayment (for floating floors): $0.50 – $2 per sq. ft.
• Adhesive (for glue-down types): $0.50 – $1 per sq. ft.
• Misc. Supplies (trim, transition strips, tools): $150 – $300 total

Total Cost Per Sq. Ft.: $3 – $12

For 500 Sq. Ft.: $1,500 – $6,000

Sustainability Considerations:

• ✔ Bamboo grows quickly, making it a renewable option

• ✔ Some brands use low-VOC adhesives (look for FSC-certified bamboo)

• ❌ Imported from Asia, so it has a higher carbon footprint than local wood

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C. Engineered Wood Flooring

Material Cost: $3 – $16 per sq. ft.• Underlayment (if required): $0.50 – $2 per sq. ft.

Adhesive (for glue-down types): $0.50 – $1 per sq. ft.

Misc. Supplies (trim, transition strips, tools): $150 – $300 total

Total Cost Per Sq. Ft.: $4 – $19

For 500 Sq. Ft.: $2,000 – $9,500

Sustainability Considerations:

• ✔ Uses less hardwood than solid wood flooring

• ✔ Some brands offer recycled or FSC-certified options

• ❌ Not as long-lasting as refinished solid wood floors

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Cost & Sustainability Summary

Floor Type	Cost per Sq. Ft.	Total for 500 Sq. Ft.	Sustainability Impact
Refinished	$1.50 – $3	$750 – $1,500	♻ Best option – No landfill waste, lower carbon footprint
Vinyl	$2 – $10	–$1,000– $5,000	❌ High plastic content, hard to recycle
Bamboo	$3 – $12	$1,500 – $6,000	♻ Renewable
Engineered Wood	$4– $10	$2,000 – $9,500	♻ Uses less wood, but has adhesives

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Final Thoughts: Should You Refinish or Replace?

If your existing floors are structurally sound, refinishing is the cheapest and most eco-friendly option.

And if you must replace, bamboo or engineered wood is better than vinyl from a sustainability perspective.

If you want the easiest DIY install, vinyl plank flooring is the simplest, but vinyl is the worst for the environment.

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Are you thinking of sanding your floors? – here’s the how-to guide.