Have damaged hardwood floor - Restore or replace?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Have damaged hardwood floor - Restore or replace?
My current floor is hardwood. I removed the carpet from the former home owners and found what is pictured below. There are many pet stains. I am unsure which route to go:
Restoring the floor or installing a vinyl or engineered hardwood flooring. I will be renting this home, so cost is crucial, however I want it to look nice.
Hardwood Restoration:
I have spoke with a couple of people and they told me that if I restored the hardwood that I would have to go with a dark stain, which I absolutely do not want to do, to hide the pet stains. Is this true?
Also, I would have to pay someone to do it because I would feel more comfortable doing this.
Putting a new floor over it:
I think the price would be comparable, but it would be a shame to cover hardwood floors with fake wood.
If I went this route, would I have to remove all of the floor molding/trim? I have a feeling this would be very labor intensive. I had to do it with the kitchen and it was a real pain to remove it and a lot of it broke.
What do you all think?

Restoring the floor or installing a vinyl or engineered hardwood flooring. I will be renting this home, so cost is crucial, however I want it to look nice.
Hardwood Restoration:
I have spoke with a couple of people and they told me that if I restored the hardwood that I would have to go with a dark stain, which I absolutely do not want to do, to hide the pet stains. Is this true?
Also, I would have to pay someone to do it because I would feel more comfortable doing this.
Putting a new floor over it:
I think the price would be comparable, but it would be a shame to cover hardwood floors with fake wood.
If I went this route, would I have to remove all of the floor molding/trim? I have a feeling this would be very labor intensive. I had to do it with the kitchen and it was a real pain to remove it and a lot of it broke.
What do you all think?


#2
Group Moderator
I would refinish the floor and not even try to hide the stain. I might even go natural. Nothing wears in a rental house like an old fashioned hard wood floor. And, nobody is going to "not rent" because of discoloration in the hardwood flooring.
#3
Member
What's the issue with using a dark colored stain?
It's the only way that floor in that condition would look 1/2 way right without removing all of it.
Looks like someone already trying replacing one of the boards and used red oak instead of white oak
It's the only way that floor in that condition would look 1/2 way right without removing all of it.
Looks like someone already trying replacing one of the boards and used red oak instead of white oak
#4
Member
Thread Starter
Are you saying that hardwood floor wears easy in a rental?
There is no issue with dark stain, it is just a personal preference of not liking dark stains.
There is no issue with dark stain, it is just a personal preference of not liking dark stains.
#5
Group Moderator