Renovation Makes a Difference
A new indepdendent IVL study confirms what Bona has championed for decades: refinishing a floor instead of replacing it dramatically reduces CO2 emissions, energy use, cost and time, without compromising on design.
Renovation Makes a Difference
A new indepdendent IVL study confirms what Bona has championed for decades: refinishing a floor instead of replacing it dramatically reduces CO2 emissions, energy use, cost and time, without compromising on design.
Floor renovation significantly reduces environmental impact
For decades, Bona has championed floor renovation as a more responsible alternative to replacement. To further validate this, Bona partnered with the IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute. Following an initial study in Sweden in 2019, the new 2025 IVL report expands the research to Germany, a market eight times larger than Sweden. The latest study also includes a broader range of flooring surfaces and follows the latest standards.
The conclusion is clear: with Bona’s floor renovation solutions, it is easier than ever to achieve a like-new floor without the cost, downtime, and environmental impact of replacement.
The impact of renovation vs. replacement
Verified results from from the 2025 IVL Life Cycle Assessment of Bona floor refinish.
Wood Floors
The benefits of a renovation
A well-maintained wood floor can last for decades. Renovating instead of replacing it extends its life, preserves existing materials, and offers new possibilities for color, texture, sheen, and protection.
Compared with installing a new floor, renovation can reduce average CO₂ emissions by 89% and energy use by 97%. Renovating 100 m² of wood flooring saves more CO₂ than a flight from Stockholm to Lisbon.
What 97% energy savings looks like
Renovating 100 m² of wood flooring saves more energy than
6,000 loads of laundry
Energy used to wash a load (≈2.5–3 kWh)
90,000 km in an electric car
At ≈15–20 kWh per 100 km
1.5 years of household electricity
Average European home (≈10–12 MWh/yr)
*CO₂ equivalence: renovating 100 m² of wood saves more CO₂ than a flight from Stockholm to Lisbon. Source: IVL 2025.
The impact of choosing renovation over replacement for wood floors
CO2 emissions reduction
The impact on global warming of a renovated wood floor is equivalent to 97 kg of CO2 per 100 m2, compared to a newly installed floor at 872,5 kg, a carbon footprint rougly eight times lower for a renovated floor.
Energy savings
With a refinish, the total use of primary energy resources is 562 kWh per 100 m2. Compared to installing a new floor at 16,821 kWh, the savings are 97%.
Resilient Floors
Modern method for lasting floors
When resilient floors become worn or damaged, replacement may seem like the only option. Modern renovation methods can restore the floor, extend its lifespan and reduce material use, time and environmental impact. With proper maintenance, the surface remains clean and free of contamination. Renovation also offers a wide range of design possibilities, making renewal a compelling alternative to replacement.
- Lower environmental ipact
- Wide-ranging design options
- Extended lifetime
The impact of choosing renovation over replacement for resilient floors
CO2 emissions reduction
The impact on global warming of a renovated resilient floor is equivalent to 80 kg CO₂ per 100 m² for vinyl and 90 kg for linoleum. Compared to newly installed floors at 755 kg (vinyl) and 545 kg (linoleum), the carbon footprint is 9 to 6 times lower for a refinished floor.
Energy savings
With a refinish, the total use of primary energy resources is 422 kWh per 100 m² for vinyl and 841 for linoleum. Compared to installing new floors (6 632 kWh vinyl; 4 650 kWh linoleum), savings are 93% and 90% respectively.
Cost and time savings
When comparing costs for a renovated floor with a new installation, it is important to consider all actions involved. The square metre cost of new floor is only one part of an installation calculation, so to make a fair calculation comparison, you need to include labour costs for ripping out the existing floor, preparation of subfloor, removing and re-mounting skirting boards and so on. The same cost savings apply to resilient floors when comparing the costs of measures that must be taken into account for both renovation and installation.
Wood calculations
When comparing costs for a renovated floor with a new installation, it is important to consider all actions involved. The square metre cost of new floor is only one part of an installation calculation, so to make a fair calculation comparison, you need to include labour costs for ripping out the existing floor, preparation of subfloor, removing and re-mounting skirting boards and so on. All in all, a renovation of a wood floor works out to be at least 40% less expensive compared to replacing it with a new floor.
Resilient calculations
The same cost savings apply to resilient floors when comparing the costs of measures that must be taken into account for both renovation and installation. In terms of resilient floors, the total cost is reduced by at least 41%. In addition, there is a time saving of around 60%, which means that the profitability for the contractor increases by an impressive 70%!
At least 40% for wood, 41% for resilient floors vs. replacement
Faster turnaround on site, lifting contractor profitability by ~70%
Modern maintenance
Extended lifetime of a floor
Wood floors typically need renewal or replacement after about 15 years, but because they can be refinished multiple times, they can last for decades. Bona’s modern maintenance and renovation technologies reduce downtime and costs, support ongoing performance, and simplify future care. They also make it possible to update color, texture, and character while preserving the original floor.
Maintenance made to work for you
Regular maintenance helps preserve wood and resilient floor performance. The Bona System makes care more efficient and predictable, extending floor life and simplifying daily cleaning. For resilient floors, renewal and periodic recoating can replace annual strip-and-polish routines—eliminating aggressive stripping chemicals, reducing downtime and costs, and creating an easier-to-clean surface with fewer interventions and a more consistent appearance.
Improved hygienic performance
Renovation restores a uniform, joint-free surface for easier, more consistent cleaning. TRBA-compliant testing found that floors treated with Bona Resilient Solution maintained low contamination levels, even in hard-to-reach areas. Additional testing showed significantly reduced contamination on recoated LVT floors over eight weeks, with sealed joints preventing residue from collecting beneath the surface.
The life cycle assessment of a floor
The IVL report compares floor renovation and replacement using a comparative LCA per ISO 14040/44 and EPD standards. Each scenario is evaluated cradle to grave, mapping environmental impact across every stage of a floor's life.
* The two scenarios compared in the IVL study. Functional unit: 100 m² of flooring for 15 years, maintenance excluded.
** A typical floor can be refinished two to four times before it must be replaced. The IVL analysis represents one cycle (one re-installation, or one refinish), providing a like for like comparison across the same scope.
Design possibilities
Renovation
Bring new life to the floor you already have. Bona’s solutions make it easy to refresh and refine existing surfaces or to transform them into a bold, personalized expression. Whether you’re enhancing a clean look or creating something entirely new, both wood and resilient floors can be renewed with character, style, and individuality.
References
Wood floor references
Resilient floor references
Get the full IVL 2.0 report
Substantiated & verified
The independent 2025 study by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, evaluated under ISO 14040/44 and EPD standards. A practical reference for specifiers, contractors and facility owners.
*Source: IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, "Life cycle assessment of Bona floor refinish", 2025. Visualisations are designed to aid interpretation of the data and may not reflect exact numeric proportions.