Hardwood Floor Refinishing in Spokane, WA

Restore your worn, faded, or scratched hardwood floors with professional refinishing from Selkirk Hardwood. Dustless sanding, 40+ custom stain colors, and a 3-year finish warranty — built for Spokane's Inland Northwest climate.

The Refinishing Process: Spokane-Specific Expertise

Spokane's climate is unique among Pacific Northwest cities — while Seattle battles constant rain and high humidity, Spokane sits in the rain shadow of the Cascades with significantly lower humidity and wider seasonal temperature swings. This actually creates advantages for hardwood refinishing: Spokane's dry climate means floors typically experience less expansion and cupping than in western Washington, and finishes cure faster in Spokane's dry air.

However, Spokane's dry winters (indoor humidity below 25% when furnaces run) and temperature swings of 80°F+ between seasons still test finish systems and board integrity. Our process is calibrated for exactly these conditions.

Step 1: Dustless Sanding

We use a HEPA-filtered dustless sanding system that captures 99% of wood dust at the source before it becomes airborne. This matters especially in Spokane where forced-air heating runs for 6+ months a year — traditional sanding without dust capture means fine wood particles get pulled into your furnace, distributed through your ductwork, and recirculate through your home for months afterward. Our dustless system eliminates that problem entirely. No plastic sheeting, no post-project deep cleaning, and safe air quality for families with allergies or asthma.

Our drum sanders, edge sanders, and detail tools work in sequence to produce a perfectly flat surface without machine marks. We sand with progressively finer grits until the floor is smooth and ready for stain or finish.

Step 2: Stain Selection and Application

Choose from 40+ custom stain colors — or keep your floor's natural tone. We bring samples to your home and apply test patches on your actual floor so you can see exactly how each option looks in your real lighting. Spokane homeowners tend to gravitate toward warm tones that complement the natural wood aesthetic of the region — walnut, honey oak, warm gray, and weathered driftwood are perennial favorites in South Hill Craftsmans and North Side family homes.

If you're changing to a lighter color, we may use a chemical stain remover before sanding to ensure even color absorption. Darker stains are applied by hand or floor machine for consistent coverage.

Step 3: Finish Coats

We apply commercial-grade finish in multiple coats, with light buffing between coats for maximum adhesion. Your choices include:

• Oil-based polyurethane: Warm amber tone, 3x more durable than consumer-grade, strong odor (plan to ventilate) — best for high-traffic areas
• Waterborne polyurethane: Crystal clear, no yellowing, low VOC, faster dry time — great for light stains and families with sensitivities
• Bona Mega ONE (our standard): Commercial-grade waterborne system that handles Spokane's humidity swings without cracking or peeling — this is what we apply on the vast majority of Spokane projects

Spokane's dry climate means waterborne finishes cure especially fast here — you can typically walk on floors in socks within 24 hours and move furniture back within 72 hours.

Why Spokane's Climate Is an Advantage for Refinishing

Spokane's low humidity relative to western Washington means several things for refinishing:

• Less board cupping and expansion (floors stay flatter year-round)
• Faster finish cure times between coats
• Lower risk of finish blush (cloudiness from moisture trapped in finish)
• Hardwood boards in Spokane homes tend to be more dimensionally stable than in Seattle-area homes

The tradeoff: Spokane's dry winters require monitoring for excessive contraction and gap formation in wide-plank floors. We recommend keeping indoor humidity at 35–45% year-round with a humidifier during heating season.

Refinishing Cost in Spokane

Hardwood floor refinishing in Spokane costs $3 to $8 per square foot. A standard 1,000 sq ft whole-home refinish runs $3,000–$5,500. Here's the breakdown:

• $3–$4/sqft: Basic sand-and-refinish, no stain change, standard finish
• $4–$6/sqft: Full sand, stain change, commercial waterborne finish (most common)
• $6–$8/sqft: Complex projects, premium finishes, multiple species, tight spaces

Screen-and-recoat (surface refresh without full sanding) costs $1–$2.50/sqft for floors in good structural condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does hardwood refinishing take in Spokane?

Most Spokane refinishing projects take 3–5 days. Day 1: sanding. Day 2: stain (if applicable). Days 3–5: finish coats with drying time between each. Spokane's dry air actually speeds up waterborne finish cure times compared to more humid regions — expect floors walkable in socks at 24 hours, furniture back at 72 hours, area rugs after 5–7 days, and felt pads after 30 days.

Do I need to leave my home during refinishing?

With our dustless sanding system, most Spokane families stay home during the project. You won't be able to use the rooms being worked on, but the rest of the house is fully livable. Oil-based finishes have a stronger odor that some families prefer to avoid by staying elsewhere for a night or two; waterborne finishes have minimal odor. We schedule room-by-room when needed to minimize disruption.

How many times can my Spokane hardwood floors be refinished?

Solid hardwood (¾") can typically be refinished 5–8 times. Engineered hardwood depends on the wear layer — a 3mm layer allows 1–2 refinishes. During your free estimate, we measure the existing wear with a calibrated tool so you know exactly what's possible. Historic fir and oak floors in South Hill Craftsmans are often on their 3rd or 4th refinish and still have life remaining.