Quick Answer
Hardwood floor refinishing is the process of sanding off the existing finish and top surface of your wood floor, then applying new stain and 2–3 coats of protective finish — restoring worn floors to like-new condition.
- 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
Refinishing is the single highest-ROI improvement you can make to a home with real hardwood. For a fraction of the cost of replacement, CDS Hardwood Floors can take a scratched, faded, pet-damaged or sun-bleached floor and return it to showroom condition — often with a fresh new color of your choosing.
We refinish every species and every era of hardwood installed in the DMV — from 1920s DC row-house pine to modern Bethesda white oak. Every project uses our dustless sanding system and premium Bona or Loba waterborne finish, which cures faster, contains fewer VOCs and yields a harder wear layer than the polyurethane most competitors use.
Our stain library covers every current trend: natural, matte white-oil, gray, greige, English chestnut, dark walnut, jacobean and true black — plus custom blends. You'll approve stain samples on your actual floor before we finish.
Key Takeaways
- Refinishing costs roughly a third of replacement
- Waterborne finishes cure harder and off-gas less than oil polyurethane
- Always approve stain samples on your actual floor, not a chart
- A well-refinished floor should last 15–25 years before the next full refinish
Problems We're Called In to Solve
Dark pet stains
We can spot-sand and replace affected boards, or embrace a darker stain that camouflages remaining discoloration.
Sanded through the veneer
Engineered floors can only be refinished 1–3 times depending on wear-layer thickness. We assess wear-layer depth before quoting.
Uneven color absorption
Water-popping the wood before stain evens absorption — a step most competitors skip.
The CDS Process
1. On-site consultation & stain samples
We show finished samples on your actual floor — the only reliable way to preview a stain.
2. Furniture prep & containment
Rooms are sealed with plastic and dust barriers.
3. Coarse sanding
36 or 40 grit removes existing finish and surface damage.
4. Progressive sanding
60, 80, 100 and 120 grit passes leave a mirror-smooth surface.
5. Stain application
Water- or oil-based stain applied by hand and buffed to your approved sample.
6. Finish coats
2–3 coats of Bona Traffic HD, Loba 2K Supra AT or similar commercial-grade finish, with light buff between coats.
7. Cure & walkthrough
Light foot traffic in 24 hours, furniture in 3–5 days, full cure in 7–14 days.
Ready to talk about your project?
Material, Stain & Finish Options
- • Bona Traffic HD & Bona Mega ONE waterborne finishes
- • Loba 2K Supra AT commercial finish
- • DuraSeal, Bona and Rubio Monocoat stains
- • 36–120 grit premium sanding abrasives
- • HEPA-filtered dust containment equipment
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.
- 3–5 days from start to walk-on for most whole-home refinishes
- Minimal odor with our waterborne finishes
- Rooms sealed off and returned clean at end of day
- Daily updates from your project lead
- No shoes on finish for at least 24 hours after final coat
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:
- • Square footage (economies of scale on larger jobs)
- • Number of stairs, closets and transitions
- • Whether you're staining or going natural (staining adds a day)
- • Number of finish coats (2 vs 3)
- • Sheen selection (satin, semi-gloss, matte)
- • Repairs, board replacements or pet-stain remediation required
Before & After
BeforeAfterProject Case Studies
Caring for the Result
- • Wait 7 days before rugs; 14 days before wet-cleaning
- • Clean weekly with Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner
- • Never use vinegar, Murphy's, Swiffer Wet or steam
- • Plan a screen-and-recoat every 5–7 years to extend the finish
Warranty & Guarantee
All CDS craftsmanship is backed by our workmanship guarantee. Manufacturer finish warranties are transferred to you in full.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times can a hardwood floor be refinished?
A well-installed solid hardwood floor can typically be sanded and refinished four to seven times over its life, depending on how much wear layer remains above the tongue. We measure the remaining thickness before recommending a full sand.
Will refinishing remove pet scratches and dark stains?
Surface scratches and traffic wear sand out completely. Deep pet-urine stains that have penetrated into the wood may remain visible; in those cases we recommend board replacement or a darker stain, and we tell you which before work begins.
What finish do you use for refinished floors?
We build with premium water-based systems such as Bona Traffic HD and Loba. They cure hard, stay clear instead of ambering, and are low-odor so the home stays livable through the project.
How long does hardwood floor refinishing 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 hardwood floor refinishing?
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 hardwood floor refinishing 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
How Much Does Hardwood Floor Refinishing Cost?
The real cost drivers for hardwood refinishing in Maryland, Virginia and DC — and how to get an accurate estimate without guessing.
How Often Should Hardwood Floors Be Refinished?
A quick guide to how often solid and engineered hardwood floors should be sanded and refinished — and the signs it's time.
How Much Does Hardwood Floor Refinishing Cost in Maryland?
Real 2026 Maryland pricing for sand-and-refinish, screen-and-recoat, staining and repairs — plus what drives your quote up or down.
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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.