Flooring FAQs

Hardwood floor refinishing typically takes 3 to 5 days depending on the size of the area and the type of finish selected. The process involves sanding the existing floor down to bare wood, applying your chosen stain color, and sealing with a durable finish coat. We offer water-based, oil-based, acid-cured, and moisture-cured finishes to match your durability and appearance preferences.

Yes, AG Construction is a MHIC-licensed contractor, meaning we hold a Maryland Home Improvement Commission license for hardwood floor installation and refinishing. We are also HomeAdvisor Screened and Approved for over 10 years, an Angi Super Service Award recipient in 2023, and featured on Houzz as a trusted local flooring professional.

AG Construction serves the greater DC Metro area including Frederick County, Howard County, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, and Montgomery County in Maryland, as well as Northwest DC and Southwest DC. We provide free estimates with no obligation anywhere within our service area, typically scheduling within one to two business days.

Yes, AG Construction provides free, no-obligation estimates for all flooring projects throughout the DMV area. You can request an estimate by calling 240-246-4561 or filling out the contact form on our website. We typically schedule in-home consultations within one to two business days and provide detailed written quotes covering materials, labor, and project timeline.

For over a decade, our loyal customers have chosen us for our:

The length of your project will depend on the scope of work. Hardwood refinishing can take 3-5 days, while installation projects may take longer. We’ll provide a detailed timeline during your consultation.

We work with our clients to ensure their flooring project fits their budget. Contact us to discuss financing options and see how we can help you achieve your flooring goals.

It’s difficult to say without knowing your exact preferences and project details how much your hardwood floor refinishing will cost. However, AG Construction provides free estimates, so give us a call or contact us online to get started!

AG Construction installs a wide range of hardwood species including oak, maple, walnut, cherry, bamboo, birch, pine, and heart of pine. We offer both pre-finished hardwood that is ready to walk on immediately after installation and unfinished hardwood that allows custom staining to match your exact color preferences. Our team serves Frederick, Baltimore, DC, and surrounding counties.

To maintain newly installed or refinished hardwood floors, sweep or vacuum regularly to remove grit that can scratch the surface, use a damp mop with a hardwood-specific cleaner rather than excess water, place felt pads under furniture legs, and use area rugs in high-traffic zones. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners and steam mops, which can damage the finish. With proper care, hardwood floors can last 25 years or more before needing refinishing.

Yes. While it depends on the material and condition of your existing flooring, installation options that allow for installation over preexisting floors are available.

Absolutely! Your wood expands based on the moisture in the room, so you must allow the wood to acclimate, or it could cause damage to the material during installation.

You cannot use solid hardwood in high-moisture areas. Since the wood will absorb the moisture, it will cause your wood to become damaged and difficult to maintain.

This is not recommended. The high moisture level below grade is detrimental to all types of hardwood, so it’s best to install this type of flooring on the ground floor or above.

AG Construction operates as a small, local business that cares deeply about its customers. We have less overhead than the bigger guys, so we can offer lower prices for hardwood floor installation in Georgetown. At the same time, we’re committed to providing the highest quality service and craftsmanship.

Refinishing involves sanding the entire floor surface down to bare wood and applying a new stain and finish coat, which is ideal for floors with widespread scratches or fading. Restoration is a less invasive approach that addresses specific areas of damage through spot sanding, stain matching, and recoating. Restoration can save hundreds to thousands of dollars compared to full refinishing or replacement.

Most hardwood floors will benefit from refinishing at least once a decade, with earlier attention for excessive wear or severe damage.

No, you can change stain colors and aesthetics during the refinishing process, unlike when you’re simply adding a new layer.

Restoration is usually recommended if damage to your floors extends beyond the finish.

Working on hardwood floors is highly risky, requiring specialized tools and knowledge. Refinishing alone can lead to disaster when handled poorly, while restoration requires even more advanced knowledge and tools to achieve satisfactory results.

Yes, you’ll need to move furniture out of the rooms where your floors are being restored. The same is true for refinishing your hardwood floors. It’s a good idea to plan this once you know the schedule for your restoration so you can find a safe place to store any furniture for the duration of the process.

A wood floor doesn’t necessarily need to be restored if it doesn’t have damage, but it should be refinished at least once every decade to limit wear and keep scratches from getting so deep they warrant restoration.

Yes, but it’s challenging and must be done correctly. The patterning means that sanding and preparation will take longer. Because the ultimate goal of refinishing is to enhance the appearance, we strongly recommend hiring a professional. If done wrong, you can cause irreversible damage.

If your floor is dull, has patches or worn spots, stains, scratches, or discoloration, it may be time to refinish your floor. Floors generally start looking worn and damaged around 10 to 15 years after installation.

Installing a moisture barrier will help protect your parquet floor against water damage. Once installed, sweep, dust, mop, and vacuum the floor regularly. But, be careful not to use too much water. You should also be careful not to use too much wax or chemical cleaners, as these can damage the floor and dull the appearance. If you have pets, be sure to trim their nails regularly to prevent scratches.

Carpets, rugs, and furniture are the most common cause of dark spots. Rotating these every so often will ensure even sun exposure. You can also apply polyurethane, varnish, or lacquer to help protect the wood from UV radiation damage.

It’s not difficult at all. The design of parquet floors makes it easy to perform “spot repairs.” The damaged piece(s) can be removed and replaced with a similar piece of wood. Further, a qualified repair professional should be able to match the tone/color of the wood to match the existing flooring.

In most cases, yes. It’s wood that has sprayed-on coats of polyurethane or, in many cases, stain. Because it’s prefinished, installation is faster and creates less mess in your home. However, the process makes it look like plastic, and you may not have as visible a grain pattern as parquet floors that are finished after installation.

There are several species of birch. The varieties most often used for home flooring include paper birch, yellow birch, and sweet birch. A hardwood flooring expert can help you decide which option is right for your home.

The number of times you can refinish hardwood flooring depends on whether you install engineered or solid hardwood. While more affordable, engineered wood can only be refinished a time or two. On the other hand, solid hardwood can be refinished four to six times throughout its lifetime.

Luxury vinyl plank is waterproof, scratch-resistant, and more affordable than solid hardwood, making it ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and high-traffic areas where moisture is a concern. Modern LVP products from brands like Coretec closely mimic the appearance of real wood grain. AG Construction installs both options and can help you choose the best flooring for each room based on your budget and lifestyle.

AG Construction is a leader in luxury vinyl flooring. With more than 10 years of experience in the flooring industry, we are committed to providing excellent customer service at a price you can afford. We don’t believe in passing customers from sales rep to sales rep. Instead, you’ll work closely with owner Aaron Goodman throughout your entire project, from your first call to the time our crew walks out the door at project completion.

Four layers of COREtec give it strength, stability, comfort, and waterproofing. A cork underlayment makes the floor more pleasant underfoot. The patented core made from wood dust, limestone, and PVC provides durability and water resiliency. On top, you have a premium vinyl surface plus an invisible coating for added protection against dents and stains.

COREtec Plus is a giant leap forward in luxury vinyl flooring. It’s 100% waterproof, can be installed in wet areas and will never swell when exposed to water. It also doesn’t expand or contract under normal conditions. COREtec Plus planks offer a quieter, warmer vinyl floor that is naturally resistant to mold and mildew

Installing LVT Floors in your Silver Spring, MD or surrounding area home could be the best renovation project you have done this year. The floors are affordable but offer more modern solutions to problems like spills, dents, and scratches.

Many steps go into choosing the correct type of hardwood. The presence of pets, the moisture level in your home, and style preference can all factor into which hardwood you choose.

You should also be sweeping and mopping regularly, using a hardwood floor cleaner every month or so, and adding a new layer of finish every few years to get the most out of your floor.