The 110-Year-Old Pine Floors That Almost Got Ripped Out
The house was a beautiful 1910s foursquare in St. Louis. The owners wanted to “update” the living room and dining room floors. The wide plank pine had decades of wear, some stains, and that classic softwood patina. Their first three quotes were all for full replacement — around $8.50 per square foot installed.
I offered a different path: professional sanding and refinishing for $2.50 per square foot. They were skeptical but let me show them similar jobs I’d done.
Floors take a beating every day. Don’t let them beat your budget too.
The Refinishing Process on Softwood Pine
Old pine is softer than oak, so it requires a gentler touch:
Multiple passes with progressively finer grits
Careful filling of gaps and nail holes
Choosing the right finish that enhances the natural grain without making it too slippery
Accepting that pine will show more character (and wear) over time
The result after three days of work was stunning. The floors glowed with warmth and history that no new floor could replicate.
Cost Breakdown — Real Numbers
Refinishing Option (1,200 sq ft):
Sanding, prep, and finishing: ~$2.50/sq ft
Total: Around $3,000
Timeline: 3–4 days
Full Replacement Option:
Demo and disposal: $1.50–$2.50/sq ft
New materials + install: $6.00–$8.00/sq ft
Total: ~$8,500–$12,000+
Timeline: 7–12 days
That’s a $6,000–$9,000 difference on the same space.
What You Give Up When You Replace Old Pine
Character and History — New pine looks clean but lacks the tight grain and natural variations of old-growth lumber.
Patina — That beautiful amber glow that develops over decades can’t be faked.
Environmental Impact — Keeping original floors reduces waste significantly.
Authenticity — In historic or older homes, replacing original floors can actually hurt resale value for certain buyers.
Future Refinishing Potential — Old pine, when properly maintained, can be refinished multiple times.
When Replacement Still Makes Sense
I’m not anti-replacement. Sometimes it’s the right call:
When the existing floors have been sanded too many times and are paper-thin
Severe structural damage or water issues
When the homeowner wants a completely different look (wide modern planks, different species)
Major subfloor problems that require full access
What the Finished Refinished Pine Looks Like Long-Term
I checked back on that 1910s house job after four years. The floors had some expected dents and wear — pine is soft — but they still looked warm and inviting. The family loved the character and had no regrets about saving the money.
New floors in the same house would have looked “nice” but generic. These floors told the story of the home.
My Recommendation for Old Pine Floors
If the floors still have sufficient thickness and the structure is sound, refinish first. You can always replace them later if you’re unhappy, but you can never get the original character back once it’s gone.
Spend the savings on better furniture, a nicer kitchen, or just keeping more money in your pocket.
Floors take a beating every day. Don’t let them beat your budget too.
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