A floor recoat, also called a screen and recoat or a buff and coat, refreshes a timber floor without sanding it back to bare wood. The existing finish is cleaned, lightly abraded so a new coat can grip, and then given one or more fresh coats. It brings back sheen and adds a new protective layer at a fraction of the time and cost of a full sand.
Recoating only works on floors whose existing finish is still intact. It is maintenance, not restoration.
Bendigo Floor Sanders is an enquiry service. We don't recoat floors ourselves. With your consent, we'll pass your enquiry to an independent local floor sander, once one is appointed, who can tell you whether a recoat will work on your floor.
Is your floor a candidate for a recoat?
A recoat is usually suitable when:
- the floor looks dull, hazy or lightly scratched, but there are no patches worn through to bare timber;
- scratches are in the coating, not the wood;
- you are happy with the current colour;
- the floor was professionally coated within the last decade or so and has been looked after.
A recoat is usually not suitable when:
- traffic paths have worn through to grey or bare timber;
- there are deep scratches, dents, water stains or pet stains in the timber;
- boards have been replaced and need levelling;
- you want a different colour or a different type of finish;
- the floor has been waxed, polished with silicone or furniture spray, or cleaned with oily products. These leave residues that can stop a new coat from bonding.
If any of the second list applies, a full sand is likely to be the better investment.
How to check your own floor
Look along the floor towards a window in daylight. If the surface reflects evenly, with fine scratches and dullness only, the finish is probably intact. Grey, dry-looking patches where the timber has lost its coating usually rule out a recoat.
A contractor will often test adhesion before quoting, for example by abrading and coating a small hidden area. This matters because the products used by previous owners are usually unknown. A failed recoat, where the new coat peels, is worse than doing nothing.
What happens during a recoat
- Deep clean. The floor is cleaned to remove dirt, grease and any residue from cleaning products.
- Abrading. A buffing machine with a fine screen or abrasive pad dulls the existing finish evenly, so the new coat has something to grip. This removes very little material and doesn't reach bare timber.
- Edges. Edges and corners are abraded by hand or with a small machine.
- Dust removal. All dust is vacuumed and the floor is wiped down.
- Coating. One or more coats are applied, using a product compatible with the existing finish.
- Drying and cure. The floor is left to dry. Because there are fewer coats, the house is usually back in use sooner than after a full sand.
Recoat vs full sand
| Recoat | Full sand | |
|---|---|---|
| Removes the old finish | No | Yes |
| Fixes worn-through areas | No | Yes |
| Fixes deep scratches and stains | No | Usually |
| Changes colour | No | Yes |
| Timber removed | Practically none | A thin layer |
| Time | Typically a day plus drying | Several days for a house |
| Cost | Much lower per m² | Higher |
The table is a general guide. Your contractor's assessment of your actual floor is what counts.
Why regular recoating makes sense
Every full sand removes a little timber. Solid boards can take several sands over their life, but there's a limit, and engineered floors may only take one or two or none. Recoating before the finish wears through protects the timber underneath and can push the next full sand back by years. Some Australian price guides describe recoating intervals in the range of several years for busy family homes, depending on finish and traffic.
For rental properties and homes being prepared for sale, a recoat is also a quick way to lift the look of a floor that is in good overall shape.
Bendigo considerations
Bendigo's dry summers and cold winters both affect coating. Water-based coats can dry very quickly on hot days, and curing slows when rooms are cold. If timing is flexible, ask your contractor which part of the year they'd prefer for your job and whether heating or cooling should be on or off while the floor dries.
What affects the price
Recoats are usually priced per square metre with a minimum charge, and cost considerably less than a full sand. Published 2026 price guides place recoats roughly in the $20 to $40 per square metre range. The finish product, the number of coats, the area and the amount of furniture moving all affect the total. See typical prices for sources.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a timber floor be recoated?
There's no fixed schedule. Busy living areas and hallways may need a recoat every few years, while bedrooms can go much longer. Recoat when the floor looks dull and lightly scratched, before traffic areas wear through.
Can a recoat fix scratches?
It hides very fine scratches in the finish and adds a new protective layer. Scratches that have cut into the timber will still show and need a full sand to remove.
Can a different type of finish go on as a recoat?
Only if the new product is compatible with the existing finish. Many contractors prefer to match the original type, and some combinations won't bond. If you want to switch finishes, a full sand may be needed.
My floor has been waxed. Can it be recoated?
Usually not without extra work. Wax and some polishes leave a residue that stops new coatings from bonding. A contractor may recommend a specialist clean and adhesion test, or a full sand.
How long do we need to stay off the floor after a recoat?
Generally less time than after a full sand, because fewer coats are applied. Exact times depend on the product and room conditions. Your contractor should give you specific guidance for walking, furniture and rugs.
Ask whether a recoat will work
Send a few daylight photos of the floor, including the most worn area, and tell us your suburb and roughly how big the area is. With your consent, we'll pass your enquiry to one independent local floor sander, who will contact you to inspect and quote. No cost, no obligation.