The most affordable flooring option is to reuse and resurface the existing flooring that is in place. Save massive money by NOT buying flooring material like tile, engineered wood, laminate etc. These resurfaced floors can cost between $.5-1 per SqFt!
Most houses have either a pier and beam structure with old floorboards and subfloor already existing or a slab on grade made of concrete. Old wooden floorboards can be sanded, stained and sealed for a look that is classy, cheap and durable. Concrete floors can also be sanded, stained and sealed for a modern look. Even the subfloor can be sanded, stained and sealed if they are in good condition.
| Material | Resurfaced concrete | Resurfaced floorboards | Laminate | Tile | Engineered hardwood |
| Cost per square foot | $.25-1 | $.25-1 | $2-4 | $3-5 | $6-8 |
Floor Resurfacing Cost
Resurfaced floors are cheap because there are few materials needed to complete the job. You won’t have to go to a store and buy boxes and boxes of floor boards and this will save you tons. You are using the existing surface in place and not relying on expensive boxes of floorboards. The materials needed are cheap and so is renting the necessary equipment.
Resurfaced floors are also typically more durable than manufactured flooring so they can last much longer. Longer lasting floors means longer time between when you install and when the floor needs to be re-done decades in the future. The fewer times you have to reinstall a floor in its life time means more money in your pocket. This also means that the floor is more durable during its lifetime too and will require next to no repair costs.
Floor Resurfacing Machine
For both resurfacing a wood floor and a concrete floor you will need the roughly the same equipment. A sanding or polishing machine, wood filler or concrete filler, stain and sealant. Floor sanders can be found for rent at big box stores.
How much does resurfacing a floor cost?
Resurfaced floors can cost between $.25 and $1 per square foot. The higher the square footage the lower your dollar per square foot. You are able to get lower prices on bulk stain, bulk sealant and lower rates on equipment rentals. For a 1000sqft area it will cost between $400 and $600. For a 2000sqft area it will cost between $600 and $800. This is an insanely low price to be able to floor an entire house.
| Materials | Resurface Concrete | Resurface Floorboards or subfloor |
| Stain | $70/gallon | $60 per gallon |
| Sealer | $50/gallon | $30 per gallon |
| Equipment | $50-$150 per day | $40-$70 per day |
| Filler | $30 cement filler | $30 wood filler |
Things that can raise the price are if there are problems with the underlying concrete, floorboards or subfloor. Sometimes the concrete floor can have cracks or unevenness that will require cement or leveling agent. Old floor boards may be rotted and need replacing. The same goes with the subfloor, which may have rot or soft spots.
How much will it cost to maintain a resurfaced floor?
Resurfaced floorboards or subfloor are highly durable and will require very little repair cost over time. The layer of sealer will protect the underlying wood for the most part. If the boards are properly sealed it is highly unlikely they will sustain any serious damage. However the surface underneath is still wood and can be susceptible to water damage. If subfloors are damaged the rotted panels must be removed and replaced.
Sealer will allow some water to sit on the surface but lots of water could cause more issues. There may also be instances where the layer of sealer gets scratched that can be touched up with more sealer. Repairs for resurfaced floors can be next to nothing. Keep leftover jugs of stain and sealant in the shed. If you need a new jug they cost around $50.
Cost to maintain other types of flooring
Other types of flooring may require repair cost over time. Engineered woods are very fragile and are susceptible to scratching and water damage. Water will cause the boards to warp and mold. When engineered wood is damaged it can be touched up for surface damage but most likely will have to be taken out and replaced. Tile is very hard but can crack over time. Compared to engineered wood, it’s cheaper to take out one tile and fill it with a replacement tile. Laminate flooring doesn’t require much of any repair costs. Its waterproof and highly scratch resistant.
Repairs for laminate, tile, engineered wood and can range from $100-500 depending how widespread the damage is. Taking out damaged flooring and replacing it is also an arduous task.
Concrete Floor Resurfacing
For concrete resurfacing as long as there has no major issues what you will need to complete the job is: concrete filler, acid stain, concrete sealer, rental concrete grinder and diamond disks. If there are issues with the concrete you will need self leveling agent and a bag of concrete.
Hardwood Floor Resurfacing
For floorboard/subfloor resurfacing as long as there are no major issues what you will need to complete the job is: wood filler, wood stain, oil based wood sealer, drum sander and various grits of sandpaper. If there are rot issues you may need to buy a 4’x8’ OSB sheet to replace subfloor or a 1×4 board.
Can I resurface a subfloor?
Yes you can resurface a subfloor. Under your existing flooring there may be no old floorboards that were covered up. If you do find floorboards I would highly recommend you try to salvage those. Resurfaced floorboards always look better than resurfaced subfloor. However its going to be most likely you find a subfloor made of plywood or oriented strand board.
Typically in newer homes they will have a subfloor and no floorboards underneath the existing flooring. Personally I think a resurfaced subfloor looks decent, not the best not the worst. It depends on what room of the house you want to use it in. For a bedroom or a kitchen I would consider a low priced tile or vinyl plank instead.
Can I paint the floor?
There is an even cheaper option than resurfacing the floor. You can paint the concrete, floorboards or subfloor for the cheapest option possible. This will cost around $.25 cents a square foot. However I personally don’t think it looks super good so I won’t endorse it. Painting is cheaper than resurfacing because paint is less expensive than stain and sealer. It may also be possible to paint the floor without much sanding. I would use an oil based paint for more durability and do 2 coats. Painting a floor may be a quick and cheap option for porches, patios, utility rooms, closets and garages. Give it a try and if you like the look go for it!
Are resurfaced floors a good choice for pets, kids, or tenants?
The high traffic of pets and kids will be sustained well on a resurfaced floor. Finished concrete floors in particular are a good choice with kids and pets. Spills, poop, urine and vomit won’t cause any damage on stained concrete flooring as long as its sealed properly. I can personally vow as a pet owner that it has held up well. However the surface is a bit hard for kids that are really young. It helps to have a throw rug for little ones. For resurfaced floorboards or subfloor spills, poop, urine, and vomit will be repelled but can cause damage if not cleaned up fast enough or properly. A good enzyme cleaner should do the job.
Are resurfaced floors a good choice for rental properties?
If you are a real estate investor resurfaced floors are a good choice for tenants. When tenants move in and out is often when the most damage is created. Moving couches, dragging furniture and boxes is a nightmare for floors. As an experienced real estate investor I know well how much damage tenants can cause. A renter will never be conscious of the long term condition of the floors. However a stained concrete floor or stained wood floor will hold up well. You may need to touch up sealer here and there but issues will be minimal.
More resources: https://goodguyflooring.com/blogs/home-improvement-blog/how-to-refinish-hardwood-floors