You can stay in your house while floors are being refinished in some cases, but it is generally not recommended and depends on the finish type, extent of work, and health considerations. If you are doing a simple screen and recoat with water-based polyurethane in one room, you can stay by sealing off that room with plastic sheeting, keeping windows open, and staying in another part of the house. However, for a full sand and refinish with oil-based polyurethane, professionals strongly advise moving out for at least 3 to 5 days because sanding creates fine dust that penetrates everything even with dust containment systems, and oil-based fumes contain high volatile organic compounds that cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, and respiratory irritation. The dust is flammable and the fumes are flammable, so pilot lights must be off. Children, elderly, pregnant people, pets, and those with asthma should definitely leave. Even with water-based finishes, dust will get everywhere and you cannot walk on floors for 24 hours per coat. Many contractors require the house to be empty to work efficiently and avoid liability. If you must stay, arrange to live upstairs while downstairs is done, use air purifiers, wear N95 masks, and plan for no kitchen or bathroom access if those floors are being done.
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