This project had to be well-organized from the start.  To begin with, the existing pre-finished hardwoods were 5-1/8 inch wide!  That size is not a standard local stock.  The product had to be custom made in order to be tied in correctly.  During our initial bid, we conducted a species check on the existing hardwoods.  This ensured that we ordered to exact product, red oak.

Hardwood Preparation

The new product was delivered to the property and acclimated for 10 days prior to service.  In order to properly tie into existing hardwoods, boards must be cut out randomly across the entire installation area, first.  This project had a fireplace directly in the middle of our lacing area.  We decided to install a custom boarder around that fireplace.  This made for a nice clean look with the tie-in.

Hardwood Install and Refinish

Installation starts with running your first row.  We installed the first row, tied into the kitchen, stretching the entire living room.  It’s important to make sure that this first row is precisely straight because this row effects the whole installation.  If it’s off just a hair, then by the time you get to your final rows of installation, there could be 1/2 inch – 1 inch gaps.  Then you’ll have to start all over.

The existing hardwoods in the kitchen were a hand-scraped pre-finish.  It took us sanding that floor 5 times in order to get it flat again.  Once the hand-scraped texture was flat, then we sanded the new installation of raw oak in the living room.  Most people think you cannot sand a pre-finished floor, but in all reality, yes you can!  You just won’t have the texture, like hand-scrape, anymore.  But refinishing is a cheaper solution than trying to match a discontinued pre-finished hardwood.  Trust me, we tried that first on this project!

Hardwood Stain & Coating

This customer selected espresso for their stain color.  This color did the best job complimenting their kitchen cabinetry and wall color.  We sealed this color with Rust-Oleum Zinsser 854 Bulls Eye Sealcoat Universal Sanding Sealer.  This stuff is tough and dries in 30 minutes!  The final two coats were Polaplaz Primero, which comes in 5 gallons.  This product will coat 2500 sqft. This has a 16 hour dry time between coats.  And, we always recommended this product for customers that have large pets or children.

Project Overview

  • Hang plastic
  • Prepare lace and installation
  • Installation
  • Refinish
  • Stain and coating