Hardwood Flooring FAQ

Every 7–10 years for a full sand-and-refinish, though a screen-and-recoat every 3–5 years extends the life dramatically.

A ¾" solid floor can typically be sanded 4–6 times over its lifetime.

Usually once or twice if the wear layer is 3mm or thicker. Thinner veneers cannot be sanded.

3–5 days on site for a typical whole-home refinish, plus finish cure time before rugs and furniture return.

Yes. With our dustless system and low-VOC waterborne finishes most clients stay throughout the project.

Screen-and-recoat is a light buff plus a fresh top coat — no stain, no sanding to bare wood. Refinishing sands all the way down and re-stains.

Yes. We apply stain samples directly on your floor so you can see the true color in your own lighting before we commit.

Yes — sanding removes the old stain down to raw wood, so you can go lighter, darker or gray from almost any starting point.

Yes. Furniture moving is line-itemed in your estimate.

Yes — treads, risers and railings, matched to your surrounding floors.

Most residential installs run 4–7 working days depending on square footage, layout and whether the material is prefinished or site-finished.

Yes — engineered is required over concrete slabs and radiant heat, and works beautifully throughout the home.

We regularly install 6–8" wide plank and can source up to 10" widths.

Yes. Herringbone entries and chevron rooms are among our most requested luxury installs.

Yes. We source matching species, cut and width, then blend the color with custom staining.

Yes — every install includes 3–7 days of acclimation in the actual space. This is the step most cheap installers skip.

Depends on species, subfloor and format. We recommend the method that will perform best in your specific home.

Absolutely — hardwood in kitchens is beautiful and durable. Just use runners at the sink and clean spills immediately.

Engineered hardwood, yes. Solid hardwood, only with a properly built plywood subfloor and vapor barrier.

Yes — LVP is a great option for basements, rentals and high-moisture areas.

Often yes, if you extract water within 24 hours, dry the subfloor and address boards before mold sets in.

Yes. We surgically remove damaged boards and weave matched replacements into the surround.

Yes — nearly always caused by loose subfloor panels, which we re-screw and re-glue.

Light stains sand out. Dark stains that penetrated the wood may require board replacement or a darker stain that camouflages.

We can match new heart pine and quarter-sawn oak to historic floors closely — a spot refinish blends the two.

Yes. Buckled boards typically require replacement plus subfloor drying.

It captures 95%+ of airborne dust — no lingering haze — but no system is literally 100% dust free.

Bona Traffic HD and Loba 2K Supra AT waterborne finishes for most projects; oil-based when specifically requested.

24 hours in socks; 3–5 days for shoes and light furniture; full cure in 7–14 days.

Waterborne finishes are low-VOC with minimal odor. Oil-based finishes off-gas for several days.

Matte, satin, semi-gloss and high-gloss. Matte and satin are most popular and hide micro-scratches best.

A pH-neutral hardwood cleaner. Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner is the gold standard.

No. Vinegar is acidic and dulls the finish over time.

No. Steam forces moisture into the wood and destroys the finish.

Yes — every furniture leg. They cost pennies and save hundreds in repairs.

For light scratches, a Bona touch-up kit works. For deep gouges, plan a spot repair or screen-and-recoat.

Every 3–5 years while the wood is still protected — much cheaper than a full refinish later.

Yes. Every project starts with a free on-site consultation and a written estimate within 24 hours. Call (240) 731-7030.

Sight-unseen quotes are almost always wrong. Board condition, subfloor prep and stair count all move the number significantly.

Yes. CDS Hardwood Floors is Maryland-licensed (MHIC #141267), fully insured and bonded.

1-year workmanship warranty on all craftsmanship. Manufacturer warranties on flooring and finish are transferred to you in full.

Yes — 15% off labor for veterans.

Yes — cards, checks and bank transfer accepted.

Please call to discuss current financing partners.

All of Maryland (Montgomery, Howard, Frederick counties and beyond), Northern Virginia (Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, Alexandria), Washington DC, West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle and South-Central Pennsylvania.

Yes — historic restoration is a specialty. We've refinished heart pine, quarter-sawn oak and original wide-plank pine in landmark homes throughout the DMV.

Yes. Our commercial credits include DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, DC.

Our sweet spot is 75 miles from Gaithersburg, MD. Larger projects further out are considered case by case.