Why the month matters at all
A floor is sanded flat at whatever width the boards are on that day. If that day is an extreme, the floor spends the rest of the year away from the shape it was cut to.
Sanded in February with the house at 20 percent humidity, the boards are at their narrowest and the gaps at their widest, and filler goes into gaps that will close. Sanded in humid August with no air conditioning, the boards are at their widest and tight against each other.
- How it is done
- spring and autumn sit closest to the annual average moisture content
- What goes on the floor
- n/a
- Ready to use
- n/a
- Typical cost
- $2.75 – $5.50 per sq ft
- Service life
- n/a
The windows that work in Iowa
April to early June and September to October are the windows where indoor humidity sits closest to the annual middle in Des Moines.
Winter is workable and we do it constantly, with one condition: the house needs humidification running so the boards are not at their extreme. Summer is workable with air conditioning on for the same reason.
Waterborne finishes prefer moderate temperature and moving air, and both are easier in a shoulder season. Oil-based finishes cure slowly in a cold house, and hardwax oil, which cures by reaction with air, stretches out considerably in a sealed-up January.
An empty house at an Iowa extreme
The genuinely bad combination is an empty unconditioned house in an Iowa extreme. A vacant property with the heat off in January, or no air conditioning in July, is the one case where we would rather wait than sand.
Where we work
We cover Des Moines, the western suburbs, the Ankeny corridor and the older neighbourhoods inside the city, including and 18 more areas.
Questions we get asked about best time of year to refinish
When is the best time to refinish hardwood floors?
Spring or autumn, when indoor humidity in Des Moines sits near its annual middle.
Can you refinish in winter?
Yes, as long as the house is humidified so the boards are not at their narrowest. Cure times run a little longer.
Does summer humidity matter?
It does if there is no air conditioning. Boards at their widest in August get sanded flat and then shrink away from that all winter.
Get a free estimate
Tell us what you need. We answer the same day, the free estimate is on site, and nobody chases you afterwards.
Get your floor looked at
Call and we will come out, measure, and leave you a written quote. There is no charge for the visit and no obligation afterwards.