Hi Everyone,
This was hardwood floor refinishing and repair week.
As alluded to, it didn’t start out so well, and the problem wasn’t the floor itself.
Admittedly, in my 144-year-old home, the hardwood floor refinishing, like almost everything else that has been worked on, presented extra challenges.
Much of this had to do with the previous remuddling, where things were done half-assed or with blatant disregard for good building practices—AKA, done as cheaply as possible.
True to form, we had yet another surprise when the floors were sanded. The living room and little vestibule are red oak. However, the den is white oak. That makes sense since the lower level is also white oak, and I’m 99% sure they were done at the same time in 1978.
In addition, the old wood has aged and darkened over time, especially the wood in the little vestibule.
Grain-wise, the new wood is as good a match as one could hope for, however, it is far lighter than the old red oak floors.
When I asked if there was anything I could do about that, I got a definitive “no.” However, I don’t believe that’s true. It might take some experimentation.
I let it go and Gary got back to me the following day and said he had thought of a way to blend the old and new boards better.
The job commenced last Monday; the four flooring guys accomplished a surprising amount in the morning.
Below, you can see the hardwood flooring team hard at work.
Right after I took this image, I went for my three-hour-long every five weeks hair appointment.
When I returned several hours later, I walked into the kitchen with my Whole Foods groceries, and the first thing I spotted was the range top.
Oh Noooooooooooooooooo…
Above is after a quick wipe of the range top, only! It was pristinely clean before the guys came.
This means this dust is EVERYWHERE!
Oh, this makes Wauwwie vewwy angwwy. It’s not that I don’t expect any dust. But, this is ridiculous.
It could’ve been prevented. Nothing was covered!
Below is a sharp object I found on the den floor.
Gawd!!!
Then, on my way to the bathroom this long nail was sticking out of the door jamb.
Clearly, they are trying to kill me.
And even though it was nearly 6:00 PM, the head guy, Renaldo, made the unfortunate decision to return to the scene of the crime.
Poor guy.
Make no mistake. I let him have it, but good. Trashing your client’s home, especially their new, expensive kitchen, is so not cool.
In 14 months, this was the first time I had raised my voice.
However, hardwood floor refinishing rule #1 is:
At all costs, protect every area not being worked on– ESPECIALLY if the homeowner(s) live there.
Fortunately, as I discovered the next day, Renaldo is a New Yorker from the Bronx. Excellent.
This former New Yorker knows too well. He’s used to being yelled at. haha No, really, he’s a super nice guy and couldn’t have been more apologetic. Gary, too.
In fact, he was mortified.
Then, I ate, read emails, watched the Olympics, and crashed at a normal bedtime. ;] I woke up at 3:00 AM and then cleaned for the better part of five hours (and wrote many notes, like keeping the bathroom door shut!) before going back to sleep at 8:00 AM.
When I woke up at 11:00 AM, the kitchen was totally wrapped in plastic.
From then on, the guys were as neat and clean as can be, and have done a beautiful job with these difficult hardwood floors.
Tuesday afternoon, I had a surprise Indian Food lunch with my son, Cale, who was in town for a gig.
In my honor, the chef was so kind to cover my samosa with sand. lol
This hardwood floor refinishing job had two particularly troublesome areas.
1) the area where the old staircase was and the adjoining boards.
2) in front of the fireplace hearth.
That one is inexcusably terrible. As you can see below, no attempt was made to blend the wood back in the day. They made two straight cuts perpendicular to the wall and mantel.
In addition, pieces of the border were missing.
Above and below the hideous condition of the 144-year-old subfloor before the repairs.
And after…
I’m getting a little ahead of myself but look at their magnificent job with this reformation. This is the floor with the stain and one coat of sealer. It will get two coats of polyurethane on Monday and Tuesday.
Going back in time. It took three days to repair and sand the wood.
Above is at the end of day two, the day before the most major sanding.
At the end of day three, the guys water-popped the wood in preparation for the floor stain.
If you don’t already know, water-popping opens the wood fibers and helps the boards accept the stain more evenly. This is an important step if one wants to avoid that heavy wood-grain look.
Above, watching water dry. ;]
Afterward, I was not allowed to walk on the floor except to use the bathroom.
Then, on Thursday, the floor stain went down.
Sorry, no pics of that process. I got as far away from it as I could.
I wasn’t prepared for the intense smell and wished I had spent the night in a hotel. Fortunately, it was a nice day, and I hung out on my patio for a while. Also, the smell dissipates quite quickly once the stain is dry.
Laurel, I thought you would do a hard wax oil or a low-VOC product like Pallmann.
I was, but I gathered that Gary isn’t a fan of hard wax oil finishes, hadn’t heard of Pallmann, and didn’t want to use a client as a guinea pig.
While there are lower VOC floor stains, either Gary doesn’t know about them or doesn’t like them. I didn’t dwell on it.
So, what stain did you pick, Laurel?
I went with Golden Pecan by Duraseal. It’s similar to golden oak but a bit darker.
The shot of the living room above was taken on August 10, 2024, after one coat of sealer. The fireplace and surrounding areas have far exceeded all expectations. Everyone who comes in thinks it’s original to the house.
If Gary can blend in the wood tones a bit better it will be perfect.
Below is a detail shot adjacent to the kitchen.
I’m super happy with how the floor looks so far. There will be more build up of sheen with the additional coats of poly. But the thing I love the most is that the floor still looks old, just like me, but after a good facial. lol
I will leave you with an interesting shot of the kitchen.
This was taken a few hours after Gary finished painting the kitchen floor. This is not how the plastic was. However, I had to use the kitchen, and the sanding was finished. And yes, that’s one of the notes I left for the floor guys.
Chris will be painting the black harlequin pattern sometime in the not-too-distant future.
In other renovation news:
This coming week, the plumber is coming to install the bathroom sink!
The day after, Brendan and Eugene will be repairing the bathroom mouldings.
OH! About the shower floor. Jose Tile is going to tile over the existing tile. They checked it out and said it would be fine. I have enough of the 3×12 dolomite and the Nero Marquina mosaic. I do need to get a bit more of the hexagon tile.
xo,
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Related Posts
Laurel’s Home Renovation 2024 – News & Deets!
14 month Renoversary! and I’m Back In My Bedroom!
Renovation Woes and Then the Contractors Went on Vacation Parts 1 and 2!
Finalizing the Paint Colors for My Newly Renovated Boston Condo!
Hardwood Floor and Primary Bathroom Update!
The Primary Bedroom Suite – Final Design!
The Renovation End Date & Schedule
37 Responses
I am also curious. I missed the part about how you were able to marry the new red oak, old red oak, and white oak? I have same issue and floors are next on my contractors list of decisions and to-do’s!
Hi Laurel,
I’m wondering if the products being used on your floors will protect them from UV rays. My floors were done 2 years ago, right before I moved in. I’m already seeing a difference in areas that are exposed compared to areas under furniture/rugs.
I’m sorry about the dust storm you had to clean up. How awful!
Hi Mary,
Well, the floors are already slightly bleached from the sun by the windows and more yellow than the floor by the kitchen, but only a little. I think the best way to protect floors and furniture is to put UV protection on the windows.
Laurel, I’ve not read your blog in some time, so I have to say that your pad is looking just smashing! Everything is just beautiful – the walls, the moulding, the fireplace, the floors, that gorgeous black iron railing with the brass details adjacent to your stairway, (where did you find that?), the light coming through your window, and I love your kitchen. Is that a blue color just outside your kitchen, or is it white, and the light is just deceiving me? At first I thought it was a beautiful shade of blue, but then at second glance I believe it is white.
Hi Lisa,
Thanks so much!
I copied a design from the show Upstairs downstairs and modified it for the guardrail.
The walls look blue because I took the photo at 4:33 when the sun was already on the other side of the building. Thus the light was blue-ish and the kitchen lighting is yellow-ish.
Seeing people standing in your empty front room revealed to me just how wonderfully tall your ceilings are. But seeing the AC in one window and that other unit on the floor between the windows makes me wonder for the first time how your home is heated and cooled. Have you already covered that?
Hi Cyndel,
The window AC is temporary. When there’s heavy sanding going on, I try to use that, not the new mini split. The floor console air handler will be hidden by the settee. The home is heated primarily by the floor units. A new Runtal radiator is going in the bedroom to augment the heat.
In a pinch, the mini splits do produce heat as well as AC.
There are also some hot water pipes under the kitchen floor, and in the ceiling of the bathroom downstairs.
Beautiful!! I love the long shot of the room looking toward the kitchen. It looks like a fairy tale coming true. And I’m with you on the hair – I had 4 shades last Thursday, and my stylist said it was over a year since I saw her – what??!! I couldn’t believe it. Never again!
Hi Gabrielle,
While the LR is a good sized room, about 15′-5″ x 25″ for reference, the length of guardrail you’re seeing is less than 9 feet and the mantel is 49″ wide. This image makes the room look like it’s considerably longer than it is.
as I’ve said before, whenever someone is working in my condo on a project I just stand there and stare at them working the whole time. I have everything ready for them when they come, watch everything they do and make sure they are on their way as quickly as possible. I would never leave any worker unsupervised for a second. (my cat Sweet Pea chooses to hide under the bed)
Hi Susie,
That would be impossible for me to do, but I agree, that would be the ideal thing to do.
We did a 2 year gut job restoration on our 1835 farmhouse 20 years ago. The restoration company owner went through with us and in the living room he took a strong light and studied the floor right next to the very deep baseboards. He stood up and said, “Yes, see the tiny holes….they are from carpet tacks…..back when the looms were invented in England, wall to wall strip carpet was all the rage because it brought some warmth to rooms.” One of the workers told me later that with only fireplaces to heat rooms, they had to work hard all day with coal in the fireplace grates to get the rooms up to 58 degrees in the winter. This was in Southern Kentucky.
It’s all so staggeringly gorgeous I can hardly stand it! Heart eyes x1000. I can’t believe the amount of trouble it’s taken to get to this level. My hat’s off to you.
Everything is just magnificent!
Is this a condo you own in this building or is it a standalone home?
It looks beautiful keep up the good work and it will be all worth it in the end
Hi Ronnie,
It is a condo in a brownstone that I share with four other units. Mine is one of two duplexes. The other three units are one floor, each.
To think the 1950s and 1960s the rage had been wall to wall carpeting over the wood floors
We had a reputable contractor who explained that we could NOT have the white pickled floor we wanted that his final product would include brown stain in-between the oak wood pieces.
Your floors look great the repair next to the fireplace hearth an excellent job.
Hi EP,
I’m sorry you had such a hardarse contractor. I have zero tolerance for such intense strong-arming. However, sometimes it’s difficult to find people who have the skillset/knowledge to do what you want.
As for wall-to-wall carpeting, here’s something I learned only about three years ago. Prior to about 1885 +/- a few years, the hardwood floors did not have the beautiful inlays we associate with the late 19th – early 20th century. No, the wood was often quite plain AND fully covered with wall-to-wall carpeting. That practice began in the 18th century! I know. Who knew?
In fact, it was not uncommon for there to not be a finished hardwood floor, even in the most expensive homes.
This is a fantastic article that goes into great depth the types of carpeting used and the dates.
The flooring repairs around the fireplace look great. I can’t wait to see your home finished & decorated. It is going to be beyond beautiful and so worth every problem you’ve had to deal with.
Just love the floor colors! I’m sure a little break to refresh your “do” was well deserved. You’re amazing at hanging in there!
Hi Candy,
I’ve had my hair dyed for the last 40 years without break, except for the pandemic when I was forced to do it myself. I make no apology or excuse. I will NEVER let my hair go gray. Auburn and Blonde, yes, gray, a big fat no.
Many people look fantastic with gray hair, but I’m not one of them.
Hi Laurel 🌸 in a nod to the Olympics: you’re in the bell lapđź”” !! The kitchen white floor looks really good– and it reminded me to ask you( I forgot after the white floor downstairs was painted): how are the old floor boards prepared for painting white in such a way that it looks like the lines between individual floor boards have just vanished? Ie. It looks like a roll of linoleum was just perfectly smoothed over it— how is that look achieved? Or, is it just a photo illusion? and if we were to get a close up of two boards, you would see the the individual boards? It’s all magical looking!
Hi Juanita,
No, it is not an illusion. I wish the wood did show through a bit, but it doesn’t. They use a primer followed by Benjamin Moore paint formulated for floors, both indoor and out. This is not the only way to achieve a white floor. After the paint, it gets finished with two coats of Bona Traffic HD in satin.
How lucky are you that through a series of unfortunate events with the previous painters, floor refinishers, etc., you found the true craftspeople able to do this remarkable work to finish your home. The transformation is beyond stunning and I hope when it’s all done and the last of the crews have packed up their tools and walked out the door, you will look around and say it was all worth it! In some way, I bet you’re going to miss a little bit of the hustle and bustle of this project!
My 50s home has white oak floors which I had refinished and they’re beautiful except the guy dripped stain when he was done so I have dark spots right in a noticeable pathway where no rug would hide it.
Oh, I’m so sorry, April. Did you ask them to fix it?
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!
Old floors are tough to refinish. Your floors look great. I have been putting off having mine done. Has any used Osmo wood wax products? They are a wax-resin product I’ve heard about.
Hi Caryl,
I believe Osmo falls under the hardwax oil finishes which are low or no VOC. Other popular manufacturers are Rubio Monocoat, Fiddes, and Pallmann. I was also looking at Vermont Natural Finishes. I did a post that links to these companies.
Beautiful! The day-one dust fiasco is maddening, but glad they responded with contrition. The workmanship is wonderful and all coming together so nicely. A brief painted-white-floor recap (material/brands) would be so appreciated as this is an especially unique and good looking treatment, and must be done right. I’ve seen done in an older home and it really breathes in new life. Can not wait to see the final! Thank you for sharing!
Laurel, most of the problems come up where you are absent. Which is more important, the floors or your hair? A lot of damage can occur in 3 hours.
Jane, Dahling. You are hilarious. There is no contest here. My hair is a thousand times more important.
Not that it should matter, but I am here, EVERY DAY and EVERYTHING that’s gone wrong in the last eight+ months (since I returned after moving out for six months) has happened while I’m here, but not hovering over the workers.
I did make them put up a block to the downstairs, but only after they had already been sanding for two hours. Ugh, and yes, I was kicking myself that I didn’t yell at them for not covering the kitchen before I left.
However, your snide comment is in no way helpful and ridiculous in it’s implication that one should be chained to their home for 15 months straight.
A little kindness and empathy would suit you far better.
You’ve been through a lot. It will be GORGEOUS when you’re done. You’ve gone this far, hang in there.
Hi Laurel! Do you notice the difference in the stain color once applied between the red and white oak? Or did you end up using the Red Out product prior to staining the red oak? (or does anyone know & I just somehow missed it somewhere?) Would love to know (we have mixed oaks too & are getting ready to think about refinishing). Thank you so much!!
Can I just say I am in love. It all just glows …. Congratulations… almost there …. A few more cherry on top finishes to go.
Hi Laurel,
Is that an induction cooktop? You must tell everyone how wonderful it is. I bought one this year and adore it.
Also you must buy a silicone cover to protect it. If the manufacturer does not offer one, you can buy one on Amazon.
Happy cooking!
F
Hi F,
No, it looks the same but this range top is radiant. It was nearly $2,000 less. However, when I stayed in my neighbor’s unit for four weeks last month, I got to use her induction range and yes, it’s everything you say.