Quick Answer
Dustless sanding uses HEPA-filtered vacuum-attached sanders and containment barriers to capture 99%+ of airborne dust generated during hardwood refinishing — leaving your home clean and habitable.
- Licensed MHIC #141267
- Fully Insured & Bonded
- 15+ Years Experience
- Family-Owned
- HEPA Dustless Sanding
- Premium Bona & Loba Finishes
- Written Scope & Timeline
- 15% Veteran Labor Discount
Traditional sanding coats every surface in your home with a fine layer of wood dust — inside cabinets, on top of ceiling fans, in your HVAC system. It aggravates allergies, damages electronics and takes weeks to fully remove.
Our dustless system uses a high-capacity vacuum tethered directly to every sander — belt sanders, edgers, orbital finishers — combined with dust barriers at every opening. Independent measurements put airborne dust capture above 99%.
The result: clients regularly tell us they can't believe we just sanded a whole house. It's especially important for homes with young children, pets, allergy sufferers or anyone with respiratory sensitivities.
Key Takeaways
- 'Dustless' is not regulated — ask what equipment your contractor actually uses
- True dustless captures 99%+ of airborne dust
- Included at no extra charge on every CDS project
Problems We're Called In to Solve
Competitors advertising 'dustless' with a shop vac
True dustless requires HEPA filtration and vacuum-tethered sanders, not a bag on a machine.
The CDS Process
1. Containment barriers
Plastic sheeting seals off adjacent rooms, doorways, HVAC vents and stairwells.
2. Vacuum-tethered sanders
Every sander connects directly to a HEPA-filtered vacuum.
3. Continuous filtration
Air scrubbers run throughout the project.
4. Final wipe-down
Baseboards and adjacent surfaces are tack-cloth wiped before finish is applied.
Ready to talk about your project?
Material, Stain & Finish Options
- • Festool and Bona commercial dust containment sanders
- • HEPA-rated vacuum systems
- • Zip-wall dust barriers
Why Homeowners Choose CDS
CDS Hardwood Floors is a family-owned, Maryland-licensed contractor (MHIC #141267), fully insured and bonded, based in Gaithersburg with 15+ years of hands-on work in Montgomery County homes. Our crews have finished landmark commercial work — including DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, DC — alongside thousands of residential projects. Veterans receive 15% off labor.
- You can occupy other rooms during sanding
- Virtually no cleanup after we leave
- Slightly higher cost than dusty sanding — worth every penny for health
What Affects the Investment
Every home is different, so pricing is set after we see the floors. These are the factors we weigh in your written proposal:
- • Dustless is included on every CDS refinishing project — not an upsell
- • Total sanding area drives pricing more than the dust system itself
Project Case Studies
Caring for the Result
- • No special maintenance — the benefit is during, not after, the project
Warranty & Guarantee
All CDS craftsmanship is backed by our workmanship guarantee. Manufacturer finish warranties are transferred to you in full.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dustless sanding truly dust-free?
It is not literally zero dust, but our HEPA-contained system captures the overwhelming majority of it at the sanding head. Homeowners typically see no visible dust film on furniture, trim or cabinets afterwards.
Do I still need to cover furniture and cabinets?
We plastic off doorways and protect any pieces staying in the home. Because the vacuum containment runs at the source, protection is a precaution rather than the main line of defense.
Can we stay in the house during dustless sanding?
In most homes, yes. The containment and low-odor water-based finishes keep the house habitable, though we ask you to stay off freshly coated areas for 24 to 72 hours while the finish cures.
How long does dustless sanding take in a typical home?
Most residential projects are completed within 3–7 working days, depending on square footage, drying times and any repairs required. We provide a firm timeline in your written estimate.
Do I need to move out during dustless sanding?
In most cases, no. Our dustless equipment keeps the home habitable, though we recommend staying off finished areas for 24–72 hours to let the finish cure.
Can I schedule a consultation?
Yes. Every dustless sanding project starts with an on-site consultation and a detailed written quote, usually delivered within 24 hours.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. CDS Hardwood Floors is a Maryland-licensed contractor (MHIC #141267), fully insured and bonded for your protection.
Written by
Daniel Santos
Owner, CDS Hardwood Floors
Daniel Santos is the owner of CDS Hardwood Floors and has spent 15+ years sanding, staining and installing hardwood in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC homes. He personally walks most projects, specializes in HEPA-contained dustless sanding, premium water-based finish systems and custom installations, and believes homeowners make better decisions when the process is explained plainly before a single board is touched.
Read More From Our Team
Is Dustless Floor Sanding Really Dust-Free?
What dustless sanding actually does, how the containment system works, and why it protects your home's air quality.
How Long Does Hardwood Refinishing Take to Dry?
Realistic timelines for sanding, staining, finish drying, and when you can walk on or put furniture back on your floors.
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Where We Work
CDS Hardwood Floors is based at 21008 Golf Estates Dr, Gaithersburg, MD 20882. Our primary service market is Montgomery County and the surrounding Maryland communities:
- Gaithersburg, MD
- Rockville, MD
- Potomac, MD
- North Potomac, MD
- Bethesda, MD
- North Bethesda, MD
- Germantown, MD
- Clarksburg, MD
- Olney, MD
- Damascus, MD
- Frederick, MD
- Montgomery County, MD
We also serve extended markets in Northern Virginia, Washington DC, nearby West Virginia and Pennsylvania. See all service areas.
Book Your Consultation
Tell us about your floors and we'll walk the space with you, talk through options and send a written proposal.