In recent years, the wood flooring industry has established a strong case for hardwood as a sustainable building material. Earlier lifecycle assessments quantified the advantages of wood compared to alternative flooring categories, reinforcing what professionals in the field have long understood.
Now, updated research is building on that foundation – expanding both the scope and relevance of those findings.
A new lifecycle assessment conducted by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, in partnership with Bona, serves as a follow-up to an earlier study, examining a larger market while aligning with updated environmental reporting frameworks and regulatory expectations. The result is a more comprehensive view of hardwood’s role in sustainable construction.
Importantly, this latest study shifts the focus from material selection alone to how flooring is managed over time – specifically, the impact of refinishing versus full replacement.
1) HARDWOOD IS BUILT TO BE RENEWED
For flooring professionals, the value of hardwood extends well beyond initial installation. It is one of the few flooring systems designed to be renewed mechanically, extending both service life and return on investment.
When properly installed and maintained, a hardwood floor is not a one-time product, it is a long-term asset. Sanding, staining, and finishing are fundamental to preserving performance, updating aesthetics, and maintaining value over decades of use.
As sustainability metrics become more embedded in project planning, this ability to extend service life is gaining new relevance. The conversation is shifting beyond material selection toward lifecycle strategy, and refinishing plays a central role in that shift.
2) THE DATA BEHIND REFINISHING
The updated IVL study provides quantitative support for what has long been a field-proven
advantage, while reflecting a broader and more current analytical framework. Building on prior research, this follow-up looks at a larger market (Germany) and considers updated regulations and reporting standards. That makes the findings increasingly applicable in projects where sustainability metrics, carbon accounting, and regulatory compliance are part of the specification process. The results are significant.
Refinishing hard surface flooring reduces environmental impact compared with full replacement. For wood flooring specifically, refinishing reduces carbon emissions by an average of 89 percent and energy use by approximately 97 percent. In contrast, replacement carries a higher Global Warming Potential substantially, with wood flooring replacement measuring five to 12 times higher than refinishing.
For contractors, distributors, and manufacturers, this data strengthens a conversation that often begins with aesthetics, but also should include lifecycle cost, project disruption, and environmental impact. Refinishing is not only a practical solution, it is a measurable sustainability strategy.
3) KNOWING WHEN TO REFINISH
There are situations where replacement is the right choice. Floors that are compromised structurally, improperly installed, or lacking sufficient wear layer may not be viable candidates for another sanding. However, many floors initially scoped for replacement (due to surface wear or localized damage) still can be refinished successfully. Determining that threshold requires experience and a clear evaluation of the floor’s condition.
Contractors are positioned uniquely to assess the floor and present refinishing as a viable, and often preferable, alternative. When the floor is structurally sound, refinishing can deliver the desired aesthetic and performance outcomes while reducing carbon emissions, energy use, and material waste significantly.
4) THE ROLE OF LOCAL FLOORING PROFESSIONALS
The IVL study also highlights that sustainability is influenced by more than material selection. Transportation, energy sources, jobsite practices, and long-term maintenance all contribute to a project’s overall impact. Notably, travel distance by craftsmen was identified as a significant factor affecting climate impact, reinforcing the value of skilled local contractors in reducing a project’s footprint.
Long-term maintenance is equally important. Durable finish systems, proper cleaning routines, and clear maintenance plans extend the time between major interventions. Sustainability is shaped over the full lifecycle of the floor.
5) FROM REPLACEMENT TO RENEWAL
profile: natural, renewable, durable, and long-lasting. But its ability to be refinished and repeatedly renewed may be its most important advantage in a carbonconscious building environment.
As expectations continue to evolve, the focus is no longer simply on choosing wood over alternative materials, but on maximizing the lifespan of the floors already in place. The latest IVL research provides the data to support that shift.
For flooring professionals, the message is clear: in many cases, the most sustainable floor is not a new one, it is the one that is installed already and renewed.
Kirk Roberts is the senior vice president of strategic development for Bona.
To learn more about Bona, visit bona.com/en-us/professional.
