Refinishing hardwood floors is the concept of stripping the wood floors of their top most layers, and reapplying a new layer on top. At it's most basic, that is the entire premise. How its accomplished can vary depending on a few factors.

Are you looking to change the color of the hardwoods? Or are you just trying to shine them up and restore them? Because you might just need a resurfacing job instead of a full refinish. Or possibly you need to replace and install new floors instead.

Refinishing hardwood floors involves taking a high quality floor sander and stripping the top poly layer and usually the top few millimeters of the actual wood floor to get to the unfinished floor. At this point, the wood can be refinished any way you want. Do you want a color change? Now is when you would add the stain to the wood because it is raw.

Refinishing can also be used if the floors have had some damage.