If you have a house with original wood floors, having them refinished is a very good option in California. The rooms that you intend to have refinished have to be empty, so if you plan to do the whole house or a big part of it, get the job done before you move or plan to stay with relatives while the work is in progress.

The refinisher will first get rid of all the dust and dirt that he can. Then he'll repair any nail holes or damaged spots. A knowledgeable woodworker can even replace big segments of flooring with salvaged material in such a way that you'll never be able to see the difference. After the actual sanding is complete, he'll get up every bit of sawdust, then apply coats of sealer.

You'll have a choice about which one he uses - plain sealer, a stain-and-sealer combination or a surface finish. Sealers penetrate the wood and wear as the wood wears. Sealers are maintained with a wax finish. A stain-and-sealer combination provides color with the same penetrating features as a sealer. Both of these options make for beautiful floors.

Surface finishes - including oil-modified polyurethanes, moisture-cured urethanes, and water-based urethanes - cover the wood with a protective coating that stands up to moisture and high traffic. If you have dogs and children, this is the only real option.