Can you replace just part of hardwood floor?

Replacing only a section of hardwood flooring is certainly possible, but it requires some careful planning and execution to make the new boards blend in seamlessly with the existing flooring. With the right techniques, a partial hardwood floor replacement can be completed successfully as a DIY project or by hiring a professional hardwood flooring installer.

Assessing the Damage

The first step is to take a close look at the area of flooring that needs replacing and determine the exact boards and amount of square footage that is damaged. Examine the floor for pet stains, water damage, deep scratches, cupping or warping of the boards, or separation between boards that causes them to stick up. Pay attention to both the width and length of the damaged sections.

It’s also important to identify what species of wood the existing floor is made of. Many hardwood floors are oak, maple, cherry, hickory, or exotic woods like Brazilian cherry or Santos mahogany. Matching new floor boards to the old requires getting the same wood species.

Preparing the Subfloor

Once you’ve assessed the flooring and measured the sections to be replaced, start by removing any trim, molding, or baseboard around the perimeter of the room. This exposes the edges of the hardwood floor.

Use a pry bar to carefully lift and remove each damaged hardwood plank. Take care not to damage adjacent boards that are staying. The goal is to leave the subfloor completely exposed in only the areas that need new wood planks.

Check the condition of the subfloor where the old boards were removed. Make repairs if needed to eliminate squeaks, sagging sections, or water damage. A smooth, sturdy subfloor helps ensure the replacement planks won’t have issues in the future.

Selecting Replacement Flooring

Take detailed measurements of the empty sections of subfloor so you know the exact dimensions needed for the replacement boards. Standard hardwood flooring planks are available in widths ranging from 2 1/4″ up to 7 1/4″ wide. Choose a width that closely matches what already exists.

Once you purchase the new flooring, let it sit in the room where it will be installed for at least 48 hours. This allows the wood to acclimate to the room’s humidity and temperature. Acclimation prevents issues like shrinkage or buckling after installation.

Installing the New Boards

Start installing the new boards in the interior space of the opening, then work towards the edges. Use wood glue and nail the planks into place, staggering the end joints between rows. Leave at least 6 inches between end joints for strength.

If the new wood is slightly thicker than the old, use a belt sander with progressive grit sandpaper to sand down the replacement boards. Go with the grain to blend them flush with existing boards.

For best results, refinish the entire floor after installation. This involves sanding down the old finish, then applying new stain and polyurethane if desired. Refinishing provides a smooth, continuous look across old and new sections.

DIY or Professional Installation?

Homeowners comfortable using basic tools and doing home repairs can tackle a small hardwood flooring replacement as a DIY project. However, there are benefits to hiring professionals:

• Experienced installers can precisely match new planks to old
• They have specialized tools for cleanly removing old boards
• Professionals can expertly sand and refinish the floor for a seamless look
• They can handle tricky repairs if the subfloor has damage

While DIY installation costs less, the results may be more noticeable. Paying a professional ensures the new sections blend perfectly.

Cost to Replace Part of Hardwood Floor

On average, the cost to replace a section of hardwood flooring runs $4-$8 per square foot including labor and materials. Expect to pay more for exotic woods or wider planks.

Project	Average Cost Range
Sand and refinish only	$3.00 – $5.00 per sq.ft.
Replace & refinish pre-finished floor	$4.00 – $8.00 per sq.ft.
Replace & refinish site-finished floor	$5.00 – $10.00 per sq.ft.
Remove carpet & install new hardwood	$3.00 – $8.00 per sq.ft.

Factors like your location, the size of the project, and type of hardwood influence price. Get estimates from at least 3 flooring contractors before hiring one.

Can You Spot Replace Hardwood?

It’s possible but tricky to spot replace only one or two damaged boards here and there. This approach requires custom cutting planks to fit gaps between existing boards. Small board replacements may be noticeable.

Experts recommend replacing hardwood sections of at least 3-4 boards for better appearance. Anything smaller won’t blend as smoothly.

Should You Replace the Entire Floor?

If more than 30% of your hardwood floor is damaged, it often makes sense to replace the entire floor. Extensive repairs to large sections can be messy and relatively labor intensive.

Putting new flooring throughout simplifies installation. You can choose a completely different style, width, or color of hardwood than what you currently have.

Just keep in mind that removing and replacing all flooring adds significantly to project costs. Weigh the pros and cons before deciding.

Tips for Matching New Hardwood Sections

Here are some top tips to flawlessly blend new sections into an existing wood floor:

• Refinish the floor beforehand to renew color/sheen
• Determine exact wood species and replicate grain pattern
• Allow proper acclimation time before installing replacement planks
• Use filler or markers to disguise obvious seams
• Match flooring thickness precisely to avoid transitions
• Consider hiring a flooring professional for best results

Conclusion

Replacing only a portion of hardwood flooring has its challenges but can be done successfully. Assess the damage, prep the subfloor, match planks closely to the existing look, and refinish for a continuous appearance. For large or tricky repairs, pros have the skills to blend new and old flooring undetectably. With care and patience, you can give worn sections of hardwood floor a fresh new look.