What to Expect From Beachside Refinishing in South Carolina

Beachside Refinishing restores wood furniture and floors to their original finish without replacing the material underneath

Beachside Refinishing is a South Carolina-based company that strips, sands, and applies new finishes to wood surfaces—furniture, hardwood floors, cabinetry, and architectural woodwork. The process removes the old finish, repairs damage to the wood itself where possible, and applies stain and protective coatings. Unlike replacement, refinishing keeps the original wood and its character while making it look new again.

The company operates in the Lowcountry and surrounding regions, serving both residential and commercial clients. They handle everything from antique restoration to modern floor refinishing, and they work with different wood types and finish styles depending on what the piece or space requires.

Key Takeaways

• Beachside Refinishing removes old finishes and applies new ones to wood furniture, floors, and cabinetry rather than replacing the wood itself.
• The process typically takes several weeks for floors and longer for large furniture pieces, since each coat of finish requires drying time between applications.
• You can request different stain colors and finish types—matte, satin, or gloss—to match your home's style or update the look of an existing piece.
• The company works with both residential homeowners and commercial properties, including historic homes where preserving original wood is important.

How the refinishing process works

Refinishing begins with stripping the old finish using chemical strippers or sanding, depending on what the wood can handle. For floors, this means removing the existing polyurethane or wax layer. For furniture, the stripper dissolves old varnish or paint so it can be scraped away. The goal is to get back to bare wood.

Once the wood is bare, the team sands it smooth to remove any remaining finish, stains, or damage marks. Sanding also opens the wood grain so stain and new finish can penetrate evenly. After sanding, the wood is cleaned to remove all dust, which would otherwise get trapped under the new finish and create a rough surface.

Next comes stain, if you want color. Stain soaks into the wood and brings out the grain pattern. You can choose from light, medium, dark, or custom colors. If you prefer the natural wood color, this step is skipped. After stain dries, the final protective finish is applied—usually polyurethane for floors, or lacquer, varnish, or water-based finishes for furniture, depending on the look and durability you need.

Timeline and what to plan for

Hardwood floor refinishing typically takes two to four weeks from start to finish. The actual work—stripping, sanding, and staining—happens over a few days, but each coat of finish needs to cure before the next one goes on. You cannot walk on the floor or move furniture back until the final coat is fully hard, which can take a week or more depending on the finish type.

Furniture refinishing takes longer because pieces are often worked on individually and may require repairs or special attention to detail. A dining table or dresser might take four to eight weeks. Antique or ornate pieces take even longer because they need careful handling and may require hand-finishing rather than machine work.

Before work starts, ask Beachside Refinishing for a timeline specific to your project. They can tell you when you can move back in or use the piece again, and whether you need to make arrangements for temporary flooring or furniture during the work.

Stain colors and finish options

Beachside Refinishing offers a range of stain colors from light honey and natural oak tones to dark walnut and ebony. You can also choose to leave the wood unstained if you prefer to highlight the natural grain and color. Bring paint chips or photos of the look you want, and the team can show you samples on a piece of scrap wood to see how the stain looks before it goes on your floor or furniture.

For the protective finish, you have choices too. Polyurethane is the standard for floors because it is durable and resists water and wear. For furniture, options include lacquer (which dries fast and creates a smooth, hard surface), varnish (which is durable but takes longer to cure), or water-based finishes (which have lower odor and dry faster but may not be as hard as oil-based options). Matte finishes hide dust and footprints better than glossy ones, while satin finishes split the difference.

Cost and what affects the price

Refinishing costs depend on the size of the area, the condition of the wood, and the finish you choose. A hardwood floor in a 1,000-square-foot space costs less per square foot than a small bedroom, because the work is more efficient on larger areas. Wood that is heavily damaged, stained, or warped may cost more because it requires extra repair work or hand-sanding. Custom stains or specialty finishes also add to the price.

Furniture refinishing is usually quoted by the piece. A simple chair costs less than a large dining table or an ornate antique dresser. If the piece needs structural repairs—loose joints, missing veneer, or deep gouges—that adds time and cost.

Contact Beachside Refinishing for a quote. Most companies offer free in-home estimates where they can see the wood, assess the damage, and give you a price range before work begins.

When refinishing makes sense versus replacement

Refinishing is the right choice when the wood itself is solid and the damage is only to the finish. If your hardwood floor is scratched and dull but the boards are not warped or rotting, refinishing brings it back. If a piece of furniture has sentimental value or is made from quality wood, refinishing preserves it. Antique pieces almost always benefit from refinishing rather than replacement because the original wood and craftsmanship are part of their value.

Replacement makes more sense if the wood is severely damaged—deep rot, extensive water damage, or structural problems that refinishing cannot fix. If the floor has cupped or buckled boards, or if furniture has broken joints that cannot be repaired, replacement may be the only option. Beachside Refinishing can assess the wood and tell you whether refinishing is possible or whether replacement is necessary.

Preparing your home for the work

Before refinishing begins, clear the area of furniture, rugs, and personal items. For floors, this means emptying the room completely. For furniture, move it to a clean, dust-free space where it can sit undisturbed while it dries. Dust and debris from refinishing work can settle on everything nearby, so seal off the room if possible or cover nearby items with plastic sheeting.

If you are refinishing floors, arrange for temporary housing or plan to stay with family during the work and curing period. The smell of strippers and finishes can be strong, and the fumes require good ventilation. Open windows and use fans to move air through the space. Ask Beachside Refinishing what ventilation they recommend and whether you should run air conditioning or open windows during specific phases of the work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you refinish wood that has been painted?

Yes. Paint is stripped away the same way as varnish or stain, revealing the wood underneath. If the wood was painted because it was low quality or damaged, you may see marks or stains once the paint is off. Beachside Refinishing can assess whether the wood looks good stained or if it should be painted again.

What if my floor or furniture has water damage or stains?

Light water marks and surface stains usually sand out during the refinishing process. Deep stains that have soaked into the wood may remain visible even after refinishing, though they become less noticeable under a new finish. Rot or soft spots from water damage cannot be fixed by refinishing alone and may require wood replacement in those areas.

How long does the smell last after refinishing?

The strongest smell comes during application and the first few days of curing. It usually fades significantly within a week, though some finishes have a lingering odor for longer. Water-based finishes smell less than oil-based ones. Ventilation—open windows and fans—speeds up the process. Ask which finish type Beachside Refinishing recommends if odor is a concern.

Can you match the finish on existing wood in my home?

Beachside Refinishing can refinish new areas to blend with existing wood, though an exact match depends on how much the original finish has faded or changed color over time. Bring samples of the existing wood so they can choose a stain color and finish type that coordinates. Some color difference is normal when refinishing only part of a room.

What is the difference between refinishing and restaining?

Restaining applies new stain over the existing finish without stripping it first. This works only if the old finish is in good condition and the new stain color is darker than the original. Refinishing strips everything off and starts fresh, so it works on any wood condition and any color change. Refinishing takes longer but gives more control over the final look.