What comes first: floor refinishing or painting?
This is one of the most common questions homeowners ask during renovations. The order of work is critical to achieving the best results while minimizing the risk of damage.
At Savino Brothers Hardwood Flooring Contractors, we strongly recommend refinishing floors before painting. Even with our advanced Dust Containment System, which captures roughly 90% of sanding dust, some fine dust will inevitably remain.
Many homeowners hire us after painting is complete and ask us to take extra care around walls and baseboards. While we always use caution, the refinishing process involves multiple crew members, equipment, hoses, and the sanding and staining itself—making it nearly impossible to prevent every speck or splatter. Unlike paint, wood stain is thin and can splatter easily, making it difficult to control.
For this reason, we inform homeowners that while reasonable care is taken, we cannot be responsible for marks or stains on walls, baseboards, trim, moldings, doors, cabinets, or radiators. If floors are refinished after painting, some touch-ups or repainting may be necessary at the homeowner’s expense.
The Bottom Line
For a flawless renovation, always refinish your floors before painting, no matter what your painter may suggest.
At Savino Brothers Hardwood Flooring Contractors, we strongly recommend refinishing floors before painting. Even with our advanced Dust Containment System, which captures roughly 90% of sanding dust, some fine dust will inevitably remain.
Many homeowners hire us after painting is complete and ask us to take extra care around walls and baseboards. While we always use caution, the refinishing process involves multiple crew members, equipment, hoses, and the sanding and staining itself—making it nearly impossible to prevent every speck or splatter. Unlike paint, wood stain is thin and can splatter easily, making it difficult to control.
For this reason, we inform homeowners that while reasonable care is taken, we cannot be responsible for marks or stains on walls, baseboards, trim, moldings, doors, cabinets, or radiators. If floors are refinished after painting, some touch-ups or repainting may be necessary at the homeowner’s expense.
The Bottom Line
For a flawless renovation, always refinish your floors before painting, no matter what your painter may suggest.
Pricing: What to Expect
Many clients ask, “How much do you charge per square foot?” The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Every project is unique, and pricing depends on several factors:
- Room size and layout
- Floor condition and type of wood
- Open spaces versus confined areas
- Choice of stain (dark vs. natural)
- Quality of materials and equipment
- Experience and craftsmanship of the team
- Reputation of the company
- Clear communication and trust with the homeowner
The Sanding Process
Sanding and refinishing hardwood floors is both a craft and a science—one that can only be mastered through experience. While many can read about the process, true quality comes from hands-on expertise, precision, and the right equipment.
Unfortunately, poor workmanship can lead to uneven finishes, visible sanding marks, or long-term damage. That’s why it’s essential to work with a professional contractor who brings proven experience, a strong reputation, and advanced tools to every project.
Unfortunately, poor workmanship can lead to uneven finishes, visible sanding marks, or long-term damage. That’s why it’s essential to work with a professional contractor who brings proven experience, a strong reputation, and advanced tools to every project.
A Cleaner, Healthier Refinishing Experience
Many homeowners hesitate to refinish their floors due to concerns about dust and strong chemical odors. Traditional sanding methods can create significant airborne dust and rely on harsh, solvent-based finishes.
With Savino Brothers’ advanced finishing system, those concerns are a thing of the past.
With Savino Brothers’ advanced finishing system, those concerns are a thing of the past.
Dustless Sanding Technology
Our professional-grade, dustless sanding system uses HEPA filtration to capture airborne particles at the source. This high-powered system dramatically reduces dust compared to traditional methods, resulting in a cleaner, safer workspace and home environment.
The Environmental Choice: Waterborne Finishes
We use modern waterborne urethane finishes designed for both performance and safety.
Unlike solvent-based products, waterborne finishes use water as the carrier instead of harsh chemicals. As the finish dries, water evaporates—leaving behind a durable, protective coating without releasing toxic fumes.
Benefits Include:
Unlike solvent-based products, waterborne finishes use water as the carrier instead of harsh chemicals. As the finish dries, water evaporates—leaving behind a durable, protective coating without releasing toxic fumes.
Benefits Include:
- Low VOC and environmentally friendly
- Nonflammable and safe for indoor use
- Minimal odor—no need to vacate your home
- Fast drying times
- Crystal-clear finish that won’t yellow over time
Premium Finishes
Bona Mega™A high-performance, one-component waterborne polyurethane ideal for both residential and commercial spaces.
Key Advantages:
Best Value:
Bona Mega™ offers premium performance at a more accessible price point, making it a popular choice for most projects.
Bona Traffic HD™A two-component, commercial-grade finish designed for maximum durability in high-traffic environments.
Key Advantages:
Key Advantages:
- Excellent durability for everyday wear
- Fast drying time (2–3 hours)
- Smooth application with superior leveling
- Available in gloss, semi-gloss, and satin
- Strong resistance to scuffs, scratches, and chemical
- Clear, natural finish that preserves wood color
Best Value:
Bona Mega™ offers premium performance at a more accessible price point, making it a popular choice for most projects.
Bona Traffic HD™A two-component, commercial-grade finish designed for maximum durability in high-traffic environments.
Key Advantages:
- Industry-leading durability and wear resistance
- Faster curing time for reduced downtime
- Exceptional flow and build quality
- “Invisible protection” with a natural, matte appearance
- Outperforms oil-based and moisture-cure finishes
Oil vs. Water-Based Finishes
A common misconception is that oil-based finishes are more durable than waterborne options. In reality, modern waterborne finishes often outperform traditional oil-modified products.
Independent lab testing, including the industry-standard Taber Abraser test, shows that waterborne finishes provide superior resistance to wear and abrasion—making them an excellent choice for both residential and commercial floors.
Independent lab testing, including the industry-standard Taber Abraser test, shows that waterborne finishes provide superior resistance to wear and abrasion—making them an excellent choice for both residential and commercial floors.
What to Expect
Planning ahead is key—especially during peak seasons when schedules fill quickly.
Before We Arrive:
Important Notes:
For new installations, wood must acclimate to the environment—this can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
Before We Arrive:
- Remove all furniture from the space
- Secure pets away from work areas
- Plan for minor noise and temporary disruption
Important Notes:
- Floors should be evaluated from a standing position in normal lighting
- Natural variations in wood, existing stains, or prior damage may remain visible after refinishing
- We recommend painting after floor refinishing to avoid touch-ups
- Homeowners are responsible for any required permits
For new installations, wood must acclimate to the environment—this can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
Natural Color
Your floors are sanded down to the bare wood using a course, medium, and fine sand paper. Floors are then buffed/screened, vacuumed and tacked and one coat of sealer is applied. When the sealer coat is dry, we then buff/screen, vacuum, and tack in between each additional coats of urethane to insure proper adhesion and smoothness.
Stained Color
Floors will be sanded down to the bare wood using a course, medium, and fine sand paper. Floors are then buffed/screened, vacuumed and tacked and 1 coat of stain is applied. (Several samples of stain will be applied to the floor so you may choose a color) when the stain is dry, 1 coat of sealer is applied. When the sealer coat is dry, we then buff/screen, vacuum and tack in between each additional coat of urethane to insure proper adhesion and smoothness.
Choosing Your Finish (Luster)
- Matte: A smooth flat finish.
- Satin: The most popular choice. Soft sheen that helps hide scratches and wear.
- Semi-Gloss: Noticeably shinier with a more polished look.
- Gloss: High shine with a dramatic finish, but highlights imperfections more easily.
Greenguard
The US Environmental Protection Agency, the American Lung Association, the World Health Organization and other public health and environmental organizations view indoor air pollution as one of the greatest risks to human health.
Bona innovations of dust containment and waterborne products have significantly reduced the health and environmental hazards of hardwood floor care. We were the first manufacturer in the industry to offer a complete hardwood floor finishing and floor care system, GREENGUARD certified for indoor air quality.
Bona innovations of dust containment and waterborne products have significantly reduced the health and environmental hazards of hardwood floor care. We were the first manufacturer in the industry to offer a complete hardwood floor finishing and floor care system, GREENGUARD certified for indoor air quality.
Waterborne Finishes
Bona waterborne finishes have no toxic fumes and low VOC's so they are healthier for your family, pets, and the environment. In addition, there is no need to vacate your home during the finishing process due to fast dry times and easy water clean-up. This Swedish waterborne technology highlights the true beauty and elegance of the wood and provides the ultimate in durability. GREENGUARD certified for indoor air quality.
Floor Care
Bona waterborne floor cleaners GREENGUARD Gold Certified, non-toxic and specially designed to be safe for floors, families, and the environment. In addition, Bona Microfiber Cleaning Pads are machine washable up to 300 times, saving your money and protecting the environment.
The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute
The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute is an industry-independent, non-profit organization that establishes standards and testing for indoor products. Their goal is to improve public health by helping manufacturers build safer products. These products will not pollute the air with harmful levels of dangerous chemicals or particulates.
The GREENGUARD Gold Certification
GREENGUARD Gold Certification (formerly known as GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certification) offers stricter certification criteria, considers safety factors to account for sensitive individuals (such as children and the elderly), and ensures that a product is acceptable for use in environments such as schools and healthcare facilities. It is referenced by both The Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Building Rating System.
The GREENGUARD Gold Certification requirements comply with the State of California's Department of Public Health Services Standard Practice for Specification Section 01350 (California Section 01350) for testing chemical emissions from building products used in schools and other environments. As such, GREENGUARD Gold Certified products can be used to earn valuable credits in the CHPS Best Practices Manual for K-12 schools, the US Green Building Council's LEED® Green Building Rating Systems, the Green Guide for Healthcare, the NAHB Green Building Guidelines, Green Globes, Regreen and many other building codes, standards and specifications.
The GREENGUARD Gold Certification requirements comply with the State of California's Department of Public Health Services Standard Practice for Specification Section 01350 (California Section 01350) for testing chemical emissions from building products used in schools and other environments. As such, GREENGUARD Gold Certified products can be used to earn valuable credits in the CHPS Best Practices Manual for K-12 schools, the US Green Building Council's LEED® Green Building Rating Systems, the Green Guide for Healthcare, the NAHB Green Building Guidelines, Green Globes, Regreen and many other building codes, standards and specifications.