The terms are often used interchangeably but they are different, indeed. Buffing refers to smoothing out any imperfections on the floor with a buffing machine, while polishing is done at a higher speed to improve the shiny look of your flooring when there’s no need for sanding and additional sealing beforehand. Re-finishing, on the other hand, involves the removal of any old layers of coating before applying a new sealing agent, be it varnish or another type of floor finishing product.