Screen & Recoat vs. Refinishing
Our full comparison of cost, dust, downtime and results.
Screen & Recoat for Hardwood Floors in Columbus, GA
The no-sanding makeover for hardwood: light abrasion plus a fresh coat of finish erases months of wear, dullness and light scratches — in a fraction of the time and cost of refinishing.
The Service
A like-new floor, without sanding to bare wood
A screen and recoat — sometimes called a "buff and coat" — is the hardwood floor's version of a fresh clear coat. We lightly abrade the existing finish (the "screen"), which creates the perfect surface for a new coat of polyurethane to bond to, then apply the fresh finish. The old coat and its scratches get sealed under a brand-new layer of protection.
If your floor's finish is intact but tired — dull, scuffed, lightly scratched — this is usually the best value in hardwood floor care. It's dramatically cheaper than full refinishing, takes a day or two instead of most of a week, and involves none of the bare-wood dust.
Best candidate: floors that look worn but haven't been waxed and have no stains in the wood. Not sure? Call 706-223-4435.
Benefits
Why homeowners love the screen & recoat
A fraction of the cost
A recoat typically costs a third to half of a full refinish — for floors whose problems live in the finish layer.
Done in 1–2 days
Most rooms are completed in a single day with a fast return to normal life.
Minimal dust & disruption
We never sand to bare wood, so there's no bare-wood dust — just a light abrade and a clean coat.
Like-new shine
Dullness, hairline scratches and traffic-wear disappear under the new coat of finish.
Protects your investment
A timely recoat delays — or eliminates — the need for full refinishing years down the road.
Serves the whole valley
From Columbus to Phenix City, recoats are our most-requested restoration service.
Our Process
What a screen and recoat looks like at your home
1. Assess the floor
We confirm the finish is intact and the wear is cosmetic — and that no wax or contaminants would block the new coat from bonding.
2. Deep clean
The floor is thoroughly cleaned so nothing gets sealed under the new finish.
3. Light abrasion
A fine screen lightly abrades the old finish — just enough for the new coat to grip, without cutting into the wood.
4. Apply fresh finish
A fresh coat of professional-grade finish is applied evenly across the floor.
5. Cure & care plan
The finish cures over 24–72 hours, and we leave you with a simple routine to keep it looking new.
6. Repeat in 3–5 years
Floors that get a recoat every few years often never need full refinishing at all.
Before & After
A recoat changes everything
Before
After
Screen & Recoat — Before & AfterReal PTY Wood Floor Care project
If the "before" looks like your living room, you're a strong recoat candidate. Call 706-223-4435 for a free assessment.
FAQ
Screen & recoat questions, answered
What is a screen and recoat?
A screen and recoat is the middle ground between cleaning and full refinishing. We lightly abrade (screen) the existing finish to create a mechanical bond, remove scratches that haven't penetrated the wood, and apply a fresh coat of finish. The result looks dramatically better at a fraction of the cost and mess of sanding to bare wood.
How is it different from refinishing?
Full refinishing sands the floor down to bare wood, removing the entire finish and a thin layer of the wood itself. A screen and recoat only treats the top layer of finish. If your scratches are shallow and the stain color is still good, recoating delivers a like-new look without the dust, downtime, or cost.
Will a screen and recoat remove deep scratches?
It removes light surface scratches and wear. Scratches that cut into the wood itself, stains in the wood, or boards with damage usually need full refinishing or repair. We'll assess your floor honestly before recommending either service.
How long until I can walk on the floor?
Most recoats are ready for light foot traffic in socks within 24 hours, with normal use after a couple of days depending on the finish used and humidity. We'll give you an exact care schedule when we book your project.
Related Reading & Services
Go deeper before you decide
Hardwood Floor Refinishing
For floors whose wear goes deeper than the finish layer.
Wood Floor Buffing
The lighter-touch polish that keeps a good finish looking new.
Ready to Bring Your Hardwood Floors Back to Life?
Call or send a quick message — tell us what your floors look like and we'll schedule a free, no-pressure estimate anywhere in the Columbus area.
Free Estimate
Request Your Free Estimate
Tell us about your floors and we'll follow up by phone to schedule a walk-through. No obligation, no pressure.
Thank you — request received
Your request and any photos were sent to PTY Wood Floor Care. We'll call you back to talk about your floors. If you'd rather talk now, call 706-223-4435.