Services
Floor Sanding and Refinishing in New Orleans
We do floor sanding and refinishing in New Orleans homes and businesses. We take worn wood floors back to bare wood and build new stain and finish on top. If the finish is only dull and still intact, a screen and recoat may be all the floor needs, and we check which one fits before we quote.
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Full sand or screen and recoat: which does your floor need?
This page is for owners of solid or engineered wood floors that have gone scratched or gray. It explains the difference between a full sand and a screen and recoat, how the job runs, and what our humidity and older houses add to it. For stain colors, sheens and finish choices, see our hardwood floor refinishing page.
The two jobs look alike from the doorway but solve different problems. Here's how to tell them apart.
Screen and recoat
The National Wood Flooring Association calls this a maintenance coat: the existing finish is cleaned, lightly sanded and given a fresh coat of finish. It suits a floor whose finish is dull but still intact, and the color stays as it is.
Full sand
NWFA recommends a complete sand and refinish when the floor has deep scratches, dents or other damage. It's also the route to a new stain color, since the old finish has to come off first.
How many times can a floor be sanded?
There's no fixed number. NWFA says it depends on the thickness of the wear layer, the flatness and condition of the floor, and the skill and equipment of whoever sands it. Engineered wood can only be sanded as far as its wear layer allows, so we check that first; see our engineered wood page.
Laminate, vinyl and factory-finished floors
Check the product's install guide before anything abrasive touches it. We follow what the maker says.
When neither fits yet
Cupped, loose or water-damaged boards go to flooring repair first. Sanding over the damage only hides it for a while.
Built for New Orleans
How a full sand runs, step by step
Here's the sequence for a typical full sand and refinish.
Walkthrough and moisture check
We look for loose boards and raised nail heads, check moisture and plan which rooms you'll lose and for how long.
Sanding passes
Coarse to fine passes with a large sander, then the edges and corners with smaller machines and hand work.
Dust control
The floor is vacuumed and tacked between each stage so dust doesn't end up sealed into the finish.
Stain and finish
Stain is optional, and finish coats go on after it. NWFA notes that water-based finishes are normally clear and dry quickly.
Drying time
NWFA says a finish applied on site needs drying time during which you can't walk on the floor, so we plan the order of rooms around it.
- 890459Residential license
- 3667Commercial license
- 14Cities in the New Orleans metro
- FREEEstimate on all services
How it works
Floor sanding and refinishing in New Orleans: humidity and older homes
Our climate and our housing stock both change how a sanding job is planned.
- 01
Humidity and cupped boards
NOAA describes the city's climate as humid, with an average of 120 days of measurable rain and over 60 inches a year. NWFA explains that floors that gain moisture can cup, with raised edges and lower centers, so a cupped floor gets dried out and its cause found before any sanding starts.
- 02
Raised houses over a crawl space
The city's Historic District Landmarks Commission calls the shotgun probably the most prevalent historic building type in New Orleans. In a raised house, moisture coming up from the crawl space is part of the check; our subfloor preparation page covers it.
- 03
Lead paint in pre-1978 homes
EPA's lead renovation rule requires anyone paid to do work that disturbs painted surfaces in homes built before 1978 to be certified, and EPA estimates about three quarters of pre-1978 US homes still contain some lead-based paint. If your floor has painted borders, stairs or porch boards, tell us when the house was built.
What affects the cost and timeline?
Every sanding job is priced after we see the floor. These are the things that move the number.
- Full sand or screen and recoat A maintenance coat is a lighter job than taking the floor to bare wood.
- Square footage, stairs and closets Stairs and tight spaces are mostly hand work.
- Board repairs Loose, cupped or damaged boards get fixed before sanding.
- Stain, coats and drying A stain color and each extra finish coat add time before you get the room back.
Where we sand floors and how to get a free estimate
We sand and refinish wood floors across New Orleans, Metairie, Harahan, Kenner, Mandeville and Covington. See all our service areas.
For a free estimate, tell us the rough square footage, whether the floor is solid or engineered wood, and whether you want the same color or a new one.
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Reviews
What Customers Say About TurnKey Floorings
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As a builder, I’ve worked with numerous flooring contractors over the years, but my experience with Turnkey Floorings stands out. They were extremely professional, and their installation of carpet flooring for a big project was flawless. The client was ecstatic with the outcome, and I look forward to our future projects.
Charlie Cleghorn
They have transformed my hotel! Their suggestion of flake flooring for the lobby was a hit, adding an unexpected touch of luxury. Their team was professional and completed the project on time. They are the best flooring contractors in New Orleans.
Eve Harper
I recently had epoxy flooring installed in my garage by Turnkey Floorings. The quality of their work exceeded my expectations. They were professional, punctual, and their attention to detail was commendable. I am really happy with the outcome and highly recommend them.
Frank Johnson
I’m so glad I hired Turnkey Floorings for our floor heating installation. Their service was top-notch, and the crew was very informative and friendly. They made sure to explain everything and answered all of our questions. I wake up every morning to warm floors, thanks to them.
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Their team was incredibly professional and helpful when it came to choosing the right carpet flooring for my home. The installation process was quick and efficient, leaving no mess behind. The end product was fantastic. They really live up to their reputation as a top-notch flooring contractor in New Orleans.
Mary Lawson
We decided to upgrade our flooring and opted for floor coatings. Their team was extremely skilled, and the result was stunning. The floor looks sleek, shiny, and it’s so easy to clean. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing flooring services in New Orleans.
Walter Morris
We run a small chain of hotels in New Orleans and have been using Turnkey Floorings for all our flooring needs. From epoxy flooring in the kitchens to luxurious carpet flooring in the rooms, their workmanship is always top quality. They are reliable, professional, and always complete the projects on time. A fantastic company to work with!
Susan Whittemore
FAQ
Common Questions About Floor Sanding and Refinishing
Talk to an Expert about Floor Sanding and Refinishing.
How much does floor sanding cost in New Orleans?
It depends on whether the floor needs a full sand or a screen and recoat, the square footage, any board repairs, and the stain and number of finish coats. We look at the floor and give you a free estimate.
Can my floor be screened and recoated instead of sanded?
If the finish is dull but intact, often yes. The National Wood Flooring Association describes this maintenance coat as cleaning the existing finish, lightly sanding it and applying a fresh coat; deep scratches and dents call for a full sand.
How many times can an engineered wood floor be sanded?
Only as many times as its wear layer allows. NWFA says the number depends on wear layer thickness, flatness, condition and the equipment used, so we check the wear layer before quoting.
How long do I stay off the floor after refinishing?
NWFA notes that a site-applied finish needs drying time when the floor can't be walked on. How long depends on the finish and the number of coats, so we give you the schedule with the estimate.
Do you sand floors in Metairie, Harahan and the Northshore?
Yes. We work across the metro, including Metairie, Harahan, Kenner, Mandeville and Covington.
Service Areas
Based in New Orleans, LA.
FREE Estimates
Get a FREE Consultation
Tell us about your space and the floor you have in mind, and our team will reach out to set up your free consultation.
- 01.Estimate and Consultation
Schedule your FREE Consultation Call with our expert flooring contractors. Share your project details and get a customized quote.
- 02.On-Site Visit
One of our experts will come to your home or business to take measurements and assess the scope of work.
Residential License # 890459 · Commercial License # 3667