HFR OttawaHardwood Floor Refinishing

Sanding · Staining · Refinishing

Hardwood Floor Refinishing Ottawa

Bring the warmth back to your wood floors.

The floor you already own is often better than it looks. We sand it back to clean wood, adjust the colour if you want, and seal it with a fresh protective finish — for homes across Ottawa.

Request an estimateExplore the process
Sunlit living room with a freshly finished natural oak strip floor, a cream armchair, side table and white fireplace mantel
Illustrative interior

What we do

Three crafts, one floor

Every project starts with the same question: what does this floor need to look and wear well again? Sometimes that's a full refinish; sometimes colour is the point.

  1. 01

    Full refinishing

    The complete restoration: the old finish and surface wear are sanded away, the floor is prepared, and fresh coats of protective finish go down. The right choice when a floor is grey, scratched through the finish, or patchy from years of traffic.

  2. 02

    Sanding

    Removing tired finish, old stain and shallow damage to reach clean wood, including the edges and corners that a large machine can't reach. Sanding is the foundation every good finish depends on.

    How floor sanding works →
  3. 03

    Staining

    Changing or deepening the colour of the wood before it is sealed. We test colours on your actual floor, in your light, because the same stain reads very differently on red oak, white oak and maple.

    Choosing a stain colour →

Is refinishing right for you?

What refinishing can and can't fix

Restoring wood is honest work. It's worth knowing the limits before you plan around it.

Usually restored well

  • — Dull, grey or worn-through finish in traffic lanes
  • — Surface scratches and scuffs
  • — Dated or uneven colour you'd like to change
  • — Light marks from furniture and chairs

May limit results

  • — Deep pet or water stains that have penetrated the wood
  • — Floors already sanded thin, or engineered boards with a thin wear layer
  • — Cupping, loose boards or moisture problems underneath
  • — Wide seasonal gaps between boards

Not sure whether you need a full refinish or a lighter recoat? Read our comparison of refinishing and recoating.

The process

From first conversation to finished floor

A predictable sequence, explained before it starts, so you can plan your home around it.

  1. Step 1

    Conversation

    You tell us about the rooms, the wood if you know it, and what you'd like to change. Photos can help explain the floor's condition.

  2. Step 2

    Floor assessment

    Floor condition may need assessment to confirm scope and pricing: species, board type, remaining wood, stains, gaps and how the rooms connect.

  3. Step 3

    Written scope

    You receive a clear scope that says what will be sanded, whether stain is included, how many coats of finish, and what is excluded.

  4. Step 4

    Preparation

    Rooms are emptied, vents and doorways are protected, and we agree on access, ventilation and where you'll be living while the work happens.

  5. Step 5

    Sanding and colour

    Progressive sanding to clean wood, edge work, vacuuming between steps, then stain samples and application if colour is part of the plan.

  6. Step 6

    Finish and handover

    Coats of protective finish with drying time between them, then guidance on when to walk on it, when furniture can return and when rugs can go back down.

Finish guidance

Choosing how the floor will look and wear

Natural or stained
A clear finish shows the wood's own colour, which deepens slightly once sealed. Stain changes the tone; the protective finish goes over it either way.
Sheen
Matte and satin hide everyday scratches and dust better than semi-gloss or gloss, which reflect more light and show more of the surface.
Finish type
Water-based finishes tend to stay closer to the wood's natural colour; oil-modified finishes add more amber warmth. Odour, drying time and cure differ, and we'll explain the trade-offs for your home.
Your light
North-facing rooms, big south windows and warm bulbs all change how a colour reads. Samples on your floor beat any swatch card.

Where we work

Across Ottawa and its communities

Nearby requests outside these areas are assessed case by case.

  • Ottawa
  • Kanata
  • Nepean
  • Barrhaven
  • Orléans
  • Stittsville
Service areas and on-site logistics →

Questions

Common questions about refinishing

Can every hardwood floor be refinished?
Suitability depends on the floor's condition and remaining wood. Engineered hardwood also depends on the thickness of its top wear layer. Previous sanding, deep stains and moisture damage can limit the result; no fixed number of refinishes applies to every floor.
Do you give prices over the phone or from photos?
Photos are useful for a first conversation, but square footage, wood condition and prep all change the work. Floor condition may need assessment to confirm scope and pricing. Our cost guide explains what drives the price.
Is there dust?
Sanding wood produces fine dust. Modern sanders with vacuum collection capture much of it, and we contain the work area and clean between steps, but no honest contractor can promise a dust-free job. We'll talk through containment for your specific layout.
How soon can we use the room again?
It depends on the finish system, the number of coats, temperature and humidity. A floor that is dry enough to walk on in socks is not the same as a fully cured floor ready for furniture and rugs. We give you a schedule for your specific finish; our preparation guide explains the difference.

Request an estimate

Start with the floor you have

Tell us about the rooms and what you'd like to change. Floor condition may need assessment to confirm scope and pricing.

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Nearby requests outside these areas are assessed case by case and not guaranteed.

Request an estimate