Strip, Seal, Burnish: When Each One Is Actually the Right Call

Hard floor care is a maintenance ladder. Each rung costs more, takes longer, and removes more finish. The goal is to stay on the lowest rung that keeps the floor looking right.

Burnish

Gloss is dull but the finish is intact and unscratched through to the tile. Burnishing restores appearance in a single pass with no downtime.

Scrub and recoat

Traffic lanes show wear patterns and the finish is thin in spots but still bonded. Two to three coats restore protection without a full teardown.

Strip and seal

Finish is yellowed, built up unevenly, or has failed down to the substrate. This is the full reset — plan it for a long weekend and expect fans and time.

• Burnish: monthly to quarterly by traffic
• Scrub and recoat: one to two times a year
• Strip and seal: every three to five years when the program is maintained