# Screen and Recoat Toronto | Toronto Screen and Recoat: One-Day No-Sand Bona Refresh for Residential & Commercial | NWFA Certified URL: https://hardwoodrefinishingtoronto.ca/services/screen-and-recoat/ ![Screen and recoat Toronto: 17-inch orbital with a 180-grit screen on a dull oak floor](/images/misc/17-inch-orbital-floor-buffer-with-180-grit-screen-.webp) Screen & Recoat . $2-$3/sq ft # Screen and Recoat in Toronto: A One-Day, No-Sand Refresh for Dull but Intact Floors Last updated: October 31, 2026 Screen and recoat in Toronto is the one-day, no-sand option for floors that are dull and lightly scratched but not worn to bare wood. Adhesion test, 180-grit screen on a 17-inch orbital, Festool HEPA vacuuming and a fresh coat of Bona Traffic HD. $2-$3/sq ft, socks the next morning. - One-day turnaround - 180-grit screen on 17-inch orbital - Adhesion test before work - Bona Traffic HD topcoat, sub-50 g/L VOC Request a Free Written Quote [/contact/ →](/contact/) Call (647) 503-3932 [tel:+16475033932 →](tel:+16475033932) - 20+ Years Founded 2005 - $2M Liability + WSIB COI in 24 hours - NWFA Certified Installer + Craftsman - 500+ Projects 5.0-star satisfaction - 24-Hr Written Quote 5-year warranty ## What Is a Screen and Recoat in Toronto? Screen and recoat in Toronto is the one-day, no-sand way to bring back a hardwood floor that has gone dull but is still protected. Instead of sanding to bare wood, we abrade only the top of the existing finish so a fresh coat can bond to it, then apply a new coat of Bona Traffic HD. The wood itself is not touched, which is why it is fast, affordable and ideal for floors you want to keep sanding-free for as long as possible. It is sometimes called a **buff and recoat**. Same idea: scuff the old finish evenly, clean it perfectly, and add a new protective layer. ## When Does a Screen and Recoat Work? It works when the finish is worn but not gone. Typical signs: - The floor looks dull or patchy, especially in hallways and kitchens. - There are fine surface scratches from pets, chairs or grit. - Winter salt has greyed the finish in the entry lane, but the wood underneath is fine. - A rental unit looks tired between tenants. It does **not** work when the wood is exposed, greyed or black in traffic lanes, when scratches go into the wood, or when you want a different stain colour. Those floors need a full hardwood floor refinishing [/services/hardwood-floor-refinishing/ →](/services/hardwood-floor-refinishing/) . **The water test.** Put a few drops of water on the most worn spot. If they bead, the finish is intact and a recoat will work. If they soak in and darken the wood, the finish is gone. ![Fresh topcoat being applied with a T-bar to a screened oak hallway](/images/misc/fresh-topcoat-of-water-based-finish-being-applied-.webp) ## Why We Test Adhesion First The single biggest risk with a recoat is a new coat that will not stick. Floors that have been waxed, polished with silicone-based products or cleaned for years with oil soaps carry residue that repels new finish. Many factory-prefinished floors have an aluminium-oxide finish that is extremely hard and smooth, which also resists bonding. So before quoting, we test. We check for contamination and do an adhesion test on a small, out-of-sight area. If the floor fails, we say so and explain the options rather than applying a coat that may peel in a few weeks. ## How Much Does a Screen and Recoat Cost in Toronto? | Job | Typical price | | --- | --- | | Hallway + kitchen (about 300 sq ft) | about $750 | | 800 sq ft main floor | about $1,900 | | 850 sq ft rental unit | $1,700-$2,550 | | Property manager annual contract | $15K-$80K per year | At $2-$3 per sq ft, a recoat is roughly half the price of full sand-to-bare-wood hardwood refinishing in Toronto [/ →](/) . Done every 3-5 years, it can delay a full refinish by a decade or more, which matters on heritage floors with limited wood left. ## Screen and Recoat vs Full Refinish | | Screen and recoat | Full refinish | | --- | --- | --- | | Price | $2-$3/sq ft | $3-$5/sq ft | | Time | 1 day | 2-4 days | | Sanding into wood | No | Yes, to bare wood | | Removes deep scratches | No | Yes | | Changes colour | No | Yes | | Best for | Dull, intact finishes | Worn-through, damaged or recoloured floors | ## Why Landlords and Property Managers Use It Rental floors take a beating, and every day a unit sits empty costs money. A recoat between tenants keeps the floor protected and photo-ready in a single day. A Scarborough landlord had an 850 sq ft Bendale rental refreshed over one weekend and relisted on Monday. Property managers across Scarborough, Etobicoke and North York use annual contracts with Net-30 terms and COIs within 24 hours. For engineered floors with a veneer too thin to sand, a recoat is often the best option available, as we explain on our engineered hardwood refinishing [/services/engineered-hardwood-refinishing/ →](/services/engineered-hardwood-refinishing/) page. Transparent Pricing ## How Much Does Screen & Recoat Cost in Toronto? Published per-sq-ft rates. Your written quote lists every line before work starts. ### Single room refresh $2-$3/sq ft Minimum charge applies to small areas ### Main floor recoat $2-$3/sq ft 800-1,200 sq ft in one day ### Rental turnover from $2/sq ft Weekend scheduling available ### Annual PM contract $15K-$80K/yr Multi-unit, Net-30, COI in 24 hours Floors with wax, silicone or oil-soap residue may not qualify. Prefinished aluminium-oxide floors need a special bonding process. See all Toronto price tables → [/cost/ →](/cost/) ## Instant Toronto Cost Calculator Estimate from our published per-sq-ft price tables. Your written quote after an on-site measure is final. Approximate area 1,000 sq ft Total square feet of floor to be done Service type Standard dustless refinishing ($3-$5/sq ft)Engineered hardwood refinishing ($4-$8/sq ft)Screen and recoat ($2-$3/sq ft)Hardwood installation ($7-$18/sq ft) **Custom stain**Adds approx. $0.50-$1.00/sq ft (refinish only) **Herringbone or chevron**Adds $2-$4/sq ft (installation only) Stair steps to recap (carpet-to-hardwood) $100-$200 per step Estimated project cost $4,000 Low**$3,000** High**$5,000** Work days**3** Estimate only, based on published Toronto price ranges. Your written per-sq-ft quote after an on-site measure is final. Lock In a Written Per-Sq-Ft Quote [/contact/ →](/contact/) Why Us ## Why Choose Us for Screen & Recoat in Toronto? ### We test before we quote Adhesion and contamination checks first, so the new coat bonds and does not peel. ### Honest recommendation If your floor needs a full sand, we say so. If a recoat will do, we save you the money. ### One day, no sanding into wood Your floor keeps its wood. Only the top of the finish is abraded. ### Commercial-grade topcoat Bona Traffic HD, the same finish used on our full refinishes, under 50 g/L VOC. ### Built for landlords Weekend turnovers, Net-30, COI in 24 hours and portfolio pricing for property managers. ### Maintenance plan A recoat every 3-5 years keeps the finish thick and delays a full sand by years. Our Process ## How Does Our Screen & Recoat Process Work? 1. 1 ### Finish test We check that the finish is intact, test for wax, silicone and oil-soap contamination, and confirm a new coat will bond. 2. 2 ### Deep clean The floor is cleaned with a residue-free cleaner so nothing is ground into the new coat. 3. 3 ### Screen A 180-grit screen on a 17-inch orbital scuffs the old finish evenly. Edges are hand-abraded with a maroon conditioning pad. 4. 4 ### HEPA vacuum and tack Festool HEPA vacuuming and a tack cloth remove every bit of dust before coating. 5. 5 ### Fresh topcoat One coat of Bona Traffic HD in your choice of sheen. Socks in 24 hours, furniture back in 2-3 days. Typical timeline: One day for most homes. Light foot traffic in 24 hours. ## Not sure if you need a full sand or just a recoat? Send a couple of photos or book a measure. We test the finish and tell you honestly which option fits, in writing. Call (647) 503-3932 [tel:+16475033932 →](tel:+16475033932) Get a Written Quote [/contact/ →](/contact/) Our Work ## Screen & Recoat Before and After Empty rooms, real light, no staging. Drag the slider, then tap any photo to enlarge. ![Before screen and recoat in Toronto: dull, salt-worn hallway](/images/misc/before-empty-rental-hallway-with-dull-scuffed-oak-.webp) ![After screen and recoat in Toronto: refreshed hallway from the other end](/images/misc/after-same-rental-hallway-with-fresh-recoated-sati.webp) Before After ‹› Bendale, Scarborough 850 sq ft rental refreshed over one weekend ![](data:,) ### Recent screen & recoat projects - Bendale Weekend Tenant Turnover 850 sq ft rental refreshed over one weekend for re-leasing Bendale, Scarborough . Hardwood refinishing Scarborough [/service-areas/scarborough/ →](/service-areas/scarborough/) Customer Reviews ## What Customers Say About Our Screen & Recoat 5.0-star customer satisfaction across 500+ GTA hardwood projects. Initials and neighbourhood only, at our customers' request. > "Our hallway and kitchen had gone grey in the salt lanes but the wood itself was fine. They did a screen and recoat in one day for about $750. Socks on the next morning, and you honestly cannot tell where the worn path used to be." G.B., Davisville$750 > "We expected a full sand. Instead they tested the finish, told us screen and recoat would do the job and saved us real money. 800 sq ft in a day, written quote matched the invoice to the dollar." M.S., The Beaches$1,900 > "1,200 sq ft Rosedale red oak in 3 days, zero dust on furniture upstairs, finish looked brand-new. Family back day 4." D.M., Rosedale$4,200 Got Questions? ## Screen & Recoat FAQs Straight answers about screen and recoat in Toronto and the GTA. What is a screen and recoat?+ A screen and recoat, also called a buff and recoat, refreshes the finish on a hardwood floor without sanding into the wood. We abrade the existing finish with a 180-grit screen on a 17-inch orbital machine so a new coat can bond, vacuum with Festool HEPA, then apply a fresh coat of Bona Traffic HD. It removes dullness, fine scratches and the worn look of traffic lanes, adds a new protective layer and takes one day. It costs $2-$3 per sq ft in Toronto, roughly half the price of a full refinish. How do I know if my floor qualifies?+ Drip a few drops of water on the most worn area. If the water beads, the finish is still sealing the wood and a recoat will work. If it soaks in and darkens the wood, the finish is worn through and you need a full sand. Grey or black wood, deep scratches into the wood and a desire to change colour all mean a full refinish. How much does screen and recoat cost in Toronto?+ $2-$3 per sq ft. A Davisville hallway and kitchen recoat came in at about $750, and an 800 sq ft Beaches main floor at $1,900. Small areas have a minimum charge. Why can some floors not be recoated?+ Floors that have been waxed, treated with silicone-based polishes or cleaned with oil soaps have residue the new finish will not stick to. Many prefinished floors have an aluminium-oxide factory finish that is very hard to bond to. We test adhesion first, and if a recoat would peel, we tell you. How long does it take?+ Most homes are done in one day. You can walk in socks after 24 hours, put furniture back after 2-3 days and lay rugs after about a week. Will it remove scratches?+ It removes or hides scratches that are in the finish only. Scratches that go through into the wood will still be visible, though usually less noticeable once the sheen is even again. How often should I recoat?+ Every 3-5 years for most homes, more often for busy rentals and homes with large dogs. Recoating before the finish wears through to wood is the cheapest way to make a floor last decades. Can I change the sheen?+ Yes. The new coat can be matte, satin or semi-gloss. Many owners move from an old high gloss to satin or matte, which hides scratches and dust better. Can engineered floors be recoated?+ Yes, and it is often the best option for engineered floors with a thin veneer that cannot be sanded. Is it safe for pets?+ Yes. The water-based finish is pet-safe 48 hours after application. Do you offer recoats for rental portfolios?+ Yes. Property managers use screen and recoat between tenants on annual contracts of $15K-$80K, with Net-30 terms, COIs within 24 hours and weekend scheduling. Is the work warrantied?+ Yes. Every recoat carries our workmanship warranty, and we carry $2M liability and WSIB coverage. ### Still have a question about your floor? Phones are answered 24/7. Live crew Monday to Saturday, 7am to 7pm. Call (647) 503-3932 [tel:+16475033932 →](tel:+16475033932) Request a Free Written Quote [/contact/ →](/contact/) Related Services ## Often Booked With Screen & Recoat ![Hardwood floor sanding Toronto: Lagler Trio sander with Festool HEPA extraction on red oak](/images/misc/lagler-trio-planetary-sander-connected-to-festool-.webp) Most Requested ### Hardwood Floor Sanding and Refinishing $3-$5/sq ft Full sand-to-bare-wood refinishing: 3-grit progression, custom stain and a 3-coat Bona Traffic HD build. $3-$5/sq ft. 3-grit progression 36/60/100 on Lagler Trio . Festool HEPA extraction on every sander View floor refinishing details [Hardwood Floor Sanding and Refinishing →](/services/hardwood-floor-refinishing/) ![Engineered hardwood refinishing Toronto: Lagler Trio on engineered oak in a King West condo](/images/misc/lagler-trio-sander-on-engineered-oak-floor-in-empt.webp) Others Refuse, We Measure ### Engineered Hardwood Refinishing $4-$8/sq ft We measure the wear layer before quoting. 2mm+ veneers are refinished with a light-grit 80/100/120 progression. $4-$8/sq ft. Wear-layer measurement before quoting (2mm+ minimum) . Light-grit 80/100/120 progression View engineered refinishing details [Engineered Hardwood Refinishing →](/services/engineered-hardwood-refinishing/) ![Dustless hardwood refinishing Toronto: Festool HEPA extractor connected to a floor sander](/images/misc/festool-ctm-hepa-dust-extractor-with-hose-connecte.webp) 99.97% Capture ### Dustless Hardwood Sanding $3-$5/sq ft Festool HEPA extraction connected to the Lagler Trio, edger and palm sanders. 99.97% capture, pet-safe. Included in published rates. Festool HEPA, 99.97% particle capture . Connected Lagler Trio, edger and palm sanders View dustless sanding details [Dustless Hardwood Sanding →](/services/dustless-sanding/) ![Freshly refinished honey oak floor in an empty Toronto living room](/images/misc/empty-toronto-semi-living-room-with-freshly-refini.webp) Phones answered 24/7 . Crews Mon-Sat 7am-7pm ## Ready to Book Screen & Recoat in Toronto? Tell us the rooms, the approximate square footage and what bothers you about the floor. We measure on site within 2-3 days and put every line in writing before any work starts. Request a Free Written Quote [/contact/ →](/contact/) Call (647) 503-3932 [tel:+16475033932 →](tel:+16475033932) - Written quote before work - Festool HEPA dustless - $2M liability + WSIB - 5-year warranty