Refinish vs replace cherry flooring

5 years ago

Hello. I have app 1200 sf of spanish (or brazilian?) cherry flooring - 7 years old. It is in kitchen, halls, laundry and dining room. We have 2 large dogs and the flooring is very gouged and scratched and worn down at the higher traffic areas. We plan to move in about 3 years. In your opinion and for resale, should we replace it now with tile or refinish it just before we move (would be dumb to do it now while we still have dogs). Which is more desirable more for buyers - tile or hardwood? I just find cherry too soft with kids and large dogs. The house had it when we bought it in 2015. The previous owners paid about $15k to install it.

Featured Answer

SJ McCarthy

5 years ago

Let's look at the costs of refinishing hardwood vs. removing/installing porcelain tile.

Sand/refinish = $5 - $7/sf. Multiply x1,200sf = $6,000 - $8,400

Return on investment = 25-50% (house maintains value + small increase for good looking wood)

Removing hardwood and installing tile:

Remove hardwood = $2/sf x 1200 = $2,400

Prepare subfloor = $1 - $4/sf x 1200 = $1200 - $4,800

Purchase tiles/materials + labour for tiles = $15 - $18/sf = $18,000 - $21,600

Total: $21,600 - $28,800

***Return on investment: 25% ***

***ROI relies HEAVILY on location. Example: Cold climates = hate tiles = far too cold on the feet.

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Comments (7)

elcieg
5 years ago
Live with it and when ready to sell have it refinished.

There is another post going on about LVP floors and would houzzers not buy it because it is vinyl? Consesus seems to be yes, as a buyer, would pass.

So, would I.
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User
5 years ago
no answers, just adding a question: would rugs in the high traffic areas help now, or is it too late with some damage already done?
Timothy Winzell
5 years ago
Wait until you're ready to sell and refinish the wood floors.
maddielee
5 years ago
Is it engineered or true hardwood? If it’s engineered don’t be surprised if there is not enough cherry wood left for sanding and refinishing when it becomes time to sell.

Nice wood floors are still more marketable then tile.
Melissa D
Original Author
5 years ago
I really don't know but I have a lot of extra pieces from the previous owners.
SJ McCarthy
5 years ago
Pull out a piece and look at the ends/edges of the plank. If it looks like plywood (multiple layers of different wood) then it is engineered.