noun
refacing tatami mats
Specifically refers to replacing the woven surface layer of a tatami mat while reusing the core. A common maintenance practice in traditional Japanese homes.
畳の表替えを業者に頼んだ。
I asked a specialist to reface the tatami mats.
表替えは裏返しより費用がかかる。
Refacing costs more than flipping the mats over.
Compound of 表 (おもて, 'surface') and 替え (かえ, 'replacement'), from the verb 替える (かえる, 'to replace').