4.9 ★ · 177+ Reviews
When Does Your Floor Need a Screen and Recoat?
Screen and recoat is the maintenance step between regular cleaning and a full refinish. It's the right choice when your finish looks worn, dull, or lightly scratched -- but the wood underneath is still in good condition and the original stain color is intact.
The process is simple: we lightly abrade the existing finish with a fine mesh screen (not sandpaper), clean away the dust, and apply a fresh coat of polyurethane. The new finish bonds directly to the old one, creating a seamless protective layer that extends the life of your floors by 3 to 5 years.
Screen and recoat works on solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, and previously finished floors that still have an intact finish layer. It does not work on floors with deep scratches through to bare wood, heavy wear patterns, or wax buildup -- those situations call for a full refinish or wax removal first.
Benefits of Screen and Recoat
Same-Day Turnaround
Most screen and recoat jobs are completed in a single day. We screen, clean, and apply the new finish coat so you can walk on your floors within 24 hours. No multi-day disruption to your household.
Fraction of the Cost
At $1.50 to $3 per square foot, screen and recoat costs roughly half what a full refinish does. You get refreshed, protected floors without the expense of sanding to bare wood, staining, and applying multiple coats.
Extends Finish Life 3-5 Years
Regular screen and recoat maintenance every 3 to 5 years keeps your finish layer thick and protective. This delays the need for a full refinish by years, saving you money over the life of your floors.
No Dust, No Fumes
Screening produces minimal dust compared to sanding, and water-based polyurethane finishes have low odor. Your home stays comfortable and livable throughout the entire process.
How Screen and Recoat Works
Inspect Your Finish
We examine your current finish for wear depth, adhesion, and any areas where the wood is exposed. If the finish is intact enough for a screen and recoat, we provide a flat-rate quote on the spot.
Screen the Surface
Using a fine mesh abrasive screen on a buffer, we lightly scuff the existing finish to create a surface the new coat can bond to. This does not remove stain or reach bare wood -- it only roughs up the top layer.
Clean & Prep
All dust and debris are vacuumed and tack-clothed from the floor. A perfectly clean surface is essential for the new finish to adhere without bubbles, streaks, or imperfections.
Apply Fresh Finish
We roll or brush on a fresh coat of polyurethane that bonds seamlessly to the screened surface. Your floors look refreshed, feel smooth, and have a renewed protective barrier against daily wear.
Why Atlanta Homeowners Choose Oakerds for Screen and Recoat
Honest Assessment First
We'll tell you if your floors actually need a full refinish instead. Screen and recoat only works when the existing finish is in reasonable shape -- we won't sell you a service that won't hold up.
Quality Finish Products
We use professional-grade polyurethane from trusted manufacturers. You choose between oil-based for a warm amber tone or water-based for a clear, natural look. Both provide excellent durability.
Minimal Disruption
Most jobs take a single day with no heavy equipment, no dust clouds, and no strong chemical smells. Move your furniture back in 24 hours and enjoy refreshed floors by the weekend.
Flat-Rate, No-Surprise Pricing
Screen and recoat in Atlanta costs $1.50 to $3 per square foot. We quote the full price upfront so you know exactly what to expect before we start.
What Our Customers Say
"Our hardwood floors were looking dull and scratched from 5 years of wear. Oakerds did a screen and recoat in one day and they look brand new. Way cheaper than the full refinish quotes we got from other companies."
"I didn't even know screen and recoat was an option until Oakerds told me about it. They were honest that my floors didn't need a full refinish yet. Saved us over $2,000 and the results are beautiful."
"We have two dogs and three kids, so our floors take a beating. The screen and recoat gave them a fresh protective layer and erased all the surface scratches. We plan to do this every few years now."
"Quick, clean, and affordable. The crew was in and out in about 6 hours and the floors dried overnight. No dust on our furniture, no strong smell. Exactly the kind of maintenance our 15-year-old hardwood needed."
Frequently Asked Questions
A hardwood floor screen and recoat in Atlanta typically costs $1.50 to $3 per square foot, making it significantly more affordable than a full refinish. The exact price depends on the size of the area, the current condition of the finish, and the type of topcoat applied. Oakerds Flooring provides free on-site estimates with upfront pricing.
A screen and recoat lightly abrades the existing finish with a fine mesh screen, then applies a fresh coat of polyurethane on top. It does not sand down to bare wood. A full refinish strips all finish and stain down to raw wood using progressively coarser sandpaper. Screen and recoat is faster, cheaper, and ideal when the finish is worn but the wood underneath is still in good shape. Our <a href="/blog-when-to-refinish-vs-replace-hardwood">refinish vs. replace guide</a> can help you decide.
Most screen and recoat projects are completed in a single day. The screening process takes a few hours, the new coat of finish is applied the same day, and floors are typically ready for light foot traffic within 24 hours. Full cure takes 3 to 7 days depending on the finish used. It is one of the fastest ways to refresh hardwood floors.
Hardwood floors should be screened and recoated every 3 to 5 years for homes with normal foot traffic. High-traffic areas like hallways and kitchens may benefit from more frequent recoating. Regular screen and recoat maintenance extends the life of your finish and delays the need for a costly full refinish by many years.
Yes, engineered hardwood floors are excellent candidates for screen and recoat because the process only touches the surface finish, not the wood itself. Since screening does not remove any wood material, even engineered floors with thin wear layers can be safely screened and recoated multiple times throughout their lifespan.
Hardwood Floor Screen and Recoat Across Greater Atlanta
Marietta · East Cobb · Smyrna · Kennesaw · Roswell · Sandy Springs · Dunwoody · Buckhead · Brookhaven · Woodstock · Alpharetta · Acworth · Johns Creek · Decatur · Canton · Cumming
Not sure if we serve your area? Call us -- we probably do.
Get Your Free Screen and Recoat Estimate
Tell us about your project and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.
Prefer to talk? Call (404) 737-7558 -- we answer.