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90 Year-old Fir Floor Refinish
Floor: 90 year-old Fir, Vertical-grain
Finish: Bona polyurethane
Stain: Natural
Challenges: Very heavily worn fir floors existed in this rental location with extensive, deep scratches existing from a previous do-it-yourself sanding project.
Aggressively sanding the floors to remove the deepest of scratches was not an option due to the existence of an extremely thin wear-layer.
Solution: Through our comprehensive free consultation process it was candidly explained that it would not be possible to remove every deep scratch from the existing floor for fear of compromising the integrity of the already thin tongue-and-groove floor. If the floor became compromised, costly replacement would be the only remedy.
The client appreciated the end result of this project and the honest initial assessment of the floor.
By being upfront and honest about the limitations of the client's existing floors and not aggressively sanding the floor, substantial and costly damage was avoided while still delivering a product that delighted the landlord of this residence.
For over 23 years Woodsmith Hardwood Floors has been delivering the expert advice and personalized services that have made us a trusted authority. Contact us
today and get our experience working for you!
100 Year-old Fir Floor Refinish & Extensive Repairs
Floor: 100 year-old fir, vertical-grain
Finish: Bona polyurethane
Stain: Natural
Challenges: The original mixed fir floors in this home dated back over 100 years and had become so damaged, worn and neglected that other hardwood refinishing companies had told the homeowner the floors were beyond saving and that a new installation was her only option.
Additionally, previous work to the home had resulted in the removal of entire walls producing significant gaps in the flooring.
Solution: Despite the age of the fir floors and the need for repairs, our initial consultation revealed that an adequate wear-layer still existed and that with judicious sanding the floors could be fully restored – an option that would save the homeowner considerable time and expense over a complete tear-out and new installation.
Over a 5-day period, the dirt and wax build-up that covered large areas of the floor was carefully removed. Extensive repairs were performed in several areas by removing damaged boards and replacing them with matching, reclaimed fir from the same era as the original floors. This project well illustrates the difference expert advice can make and the outstanding results that can be enjoyed as a result.
Get the right advice Woodsmith Hardwood Floors’ reputation is based upon right from the start of your project. Contact us today and we’ll help you get the ball rolling!
Testimonial:
"You successfully refinished what initially appeared to be unsalvageable floors (floors that other companies told me were beyond saving).
Everything about the experience with Woodsmith Hardwood impressed me, from the informative on-site visit to the prompt responses to any questions and the comprehensive estimate to the professional, courteous and hardworking attitude of everyone I dealt with.
I’m so happy that I put my faith in Woodsmith Hardwood rather than giving up on the original hundred year old floors."
Amanda R.
60 Year-old Red Oak Floor Refinish & New Installation
Floor: Original floor: 60 year-old, quarter-sawn Red Oak. New Installation (kitchen, entrance and hallway): Red oak, site finished. Bedroom/office: Edge-grain fir.
Finish: Basic Coatings StreetShoe, water-based, 3-coats
Stain: Medium Brown – Bona DriFast
Challenges: While working to create a more open environment, the living and dining room walls of this home were removed and the kitchen space expanded.
With the removal of the walls, significant gaps in the vintage oak floors and in-lay borders were exposed causing the client to question whether or not a completely new installation would be required.
In the entrance, kitchen and hallway, a new flooring system was planned however, the client was unsure if it would be possible to match 60 year-old, refinished floors in the living and dining room with brand-new installed oak floors in these areas.
Solution: Through a careful, unhurried consultation, and by taking the client to another job site where similar work was being done, it was demonstrated that the existing floors in the living and dining rooms could be retained and refinished and where gaps existed, repaired.
Reclaimed oak was used to fill the gaps and areas were established to place in-lay borders so as to create an original appearance, in keeping with the era of the home. Continuity throughout the main-level living space was achieved by coordinating the custom installation of new oak floors in the entrance, kitchen and hallway. Through the selection and application of the perfect stain, the marriage of vintage, refinished oak hardwood with newly installed oak hardwood was achieved.
From dustless refinishing to custom installation and site-specific repairs to meticulous stain application, this project covered much of our service spectrum.
It was a privilege to be part of this remarkable renovation and to contribute in a special way to a stunning result!
Why not find out how Woodsmith Hardwood Floors can assist you in meeting your unique project challenges by contacting us today.
Testimonial:
"I am very pleased with the results achieved by your team to restore and replace where necessary the oak and fir flooring in our house.
Your initial visit early on in our renovation project helped us understand the work you do. This meeting was very important to our planning process.
I appreciated your ability to schedule our job and fit it in with the other trades working in the house in a timely manner and on budget."
Tina
Red Oak Custom Installation & Vintage Fir Floor Refinish
Floor: Main floor: Custom Installation, quarter-sawn Red Oak, site-finished / Upstairs bedroom: Vintage, mixed flat-sawn and vertical-grain Fir
Finish: Main floor: Basic Coatings StreetShoe – Water-based finish / Upstairs bedroom: Bona polyurethane
Stain: Nutmeg – Bona DriFast (Main floor and upstairs bedroom)
Challenges: In partnership with a busy building contractor, this extensive home renovation project required strict adherence to both budget and scheduling commitments.
A combination of new hardwood installation on the main level of the home and existing floor refinishing in the upper bedroom was required along with staining of both the vintage fir floors and new red oak floors.
Solution: Given Woodsmith Hardwood Floor’s close relationship with our Vancouver-based custom installer, we were able to coordinate all aspects of this project saving the contractor both time and added effort.
The new hardwood installation on the main floor included the living/dining room, kitchen and hallways and was completed over 2 days. The sanding, staining and application of finish occurred over the next 3 days and included both the main level and upstairs space.
Often abandoned as unsalvageable, the flat-sawn and vertical-grain fir floors in the upstairs space were judiciously sanded, beautifully hand-stained and sealed delivering significant savings over a new installation.
By means of close communication with the builder, the installation and refinishing aspects of this renovation occurred in conjunction with the work of other trades including electricians, plumbers, tile-setters and painters.
Whether you’re a building contractor or home owner, Woodsmith Hardwood Floors has the expertise to coordinate all aspects of your hardwood flooring needs.
Contact us today and let us partner with you on your upcoming home renovation project.
50 Year-old White Oak Parquet Refinish
Floor: White oak parquet – 50 years-old
Finish: Bona polyurethane - semi-gloss
Challenges: As is often the case in buildings heated by hot-water, leakage had occurred near the radiators causing the surrounding hardwood to stain and rot over time, necessitating repairs.
Additionally, areas of chronic squeaking existed in the hallways.
Finally, given that this is a professionally managed residence, time was of-the-essence.
Solution: Over a brief 3-day period, the floors in this apartment were returned to their former clean and classic condition.
Water-damaged boards in the bedroom were removed and carefully replaced while carefully hidden trim-screws were used to stabilize the floor in areas where squeaks had previously existed for years.
By responding in a timely fashion, this project ensured that our client, a property management company, received their unit’s hardwood floors in gleaming, good-as-new condition in minimal time.
Further, our 99.5% dustless system delivered a meticulously clean overall living-space requiring little if any further clean-up in this ready-to-show residence.
Helping property managers get their investments back on the market as quickly as possible has been our commitment at Woodsmith Hardwood Floors for over 23 years.
Interested in maintaining or increasing the value of your investments via timely and cost- conscious service? Contact us today!
80 Year-old Fir Floor Refinish
Floor: Fir - 80 year-old, edge-grain
Finish: Bona polyurethane, 3-coat, satin finish
Stain: Ebony/Jacobean blend – Bona DriFast
Challenges: Commissioned by a Vancouver-based architectural firm, this project demonstrates what can be done to resurrect the beauty of decades-old fir floors that had become heavily coated with dirt and wax, and in some cases, completely painted over.
Solution: Over a four day period, Woodsmith Hardwood Floors first worked to remove the paint, wax and dirt build-up by utilizing a dustless sanding process that judiciously ensured only the minimal amount of wood was sanded from these notoriously soft fir floors.
Following the sanding process, the client imbued the naked wood with a regal touch of warmth by specifying an oil-based stain; a mix of Ebony and Jacobean by Bona DriFast Stains.
Finally, the longevity and durability of the refinished floors was ensured via the application of 3 coats of Bona’s Woodline polyurethane finish (satin sheen).
Have your old, worn-out hardwood floors seen better days? Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and see how we can give your hardwood floors a new lease on life!
Testimonial:
"My clients were initially skeptical that the painted over fir floors covered in layers of paint, wax and dirt build-up could be refinished – let alone dustlessly. True to your word though, there was no clean-up required whatsoever once you were done – and that really saved them a lot of time.
The staining work you did is incredible and the homeowners can’t wait to show off the results to their guests.
It is always a pleasure working with Woodsmith Hardwood Floors. Your fair and competitive pricing always makes my clients feel they have received excellent value from the work and talent of your team."
Ardavan T. - Boelling Smith Design
Custom Site-finished Red Oak Floor Installation & Stain
Floor: New Red Oak, long-length, wide-plank, quarter-sawn, site-finished
Finish: Basic Coatings StreetShoe. 3-coat Water-based
Stain: Custom color match – Bona DriFast – Jacobean and Red Mahogany blend
Challenges: This was an extensive upper-level home renovation coordinated by a building contractor committed to a tight time-frame while the homeowners were on a fixed vacation schedule.
New, site-finished red oak hardwood was to be installed throughout the living space while the desired stain needed to match the colour of the existing floors in the main level of the home.
Solution: Having a close, tightly-integrated relationship with our custom installer meant that we were able to furnish the building contractor with a one-stop shop for coordinating both the installation of new hardwood as well as the dustless sanding, staining and finishing.
Over a 4-day period the installation of the beautiful red oak floors occurred followed by the meticulous hand-application of perfectly blended stain, colour-matched to the existing floors on the main level of the home.
This also included the hand-staining and sealing of many yards of shoe-mouldings for the 3 bedrooms and connecting hallways. (The sanding, staining and sealing occurred over a 4-day time-span.)
This project well-demonstrates the value Woodsmith Hardwood Floors delivers not only in terms of the high-quality end-result but also in terms of streamlining both the installation process and refinishing process, all within the context of a tight schedule and complex overall project scope.
Are you wanting to complete an extensive project while minimizing the disruption to you and your family? Contact us and let us show you how we can help make your renovation a little less stressful.
Testimonial:
"I just wanted to drop a quick note to thank you for your work on this project – the floors look suburb. The installation and the refinishing are top notch as usual.
Kudos on the dustless system once again – great to have it take care of the upper level while keeping the dust away from the downstairs.
Thanks for working with me given the tight schedule this time. I can always count on Woodsmith to get the job done on schedule and within budget.
It’s been a pleasure working with Woodsmith the past number of years on various projects – I value the consistency of service, professionalism and personal pride you take on each and every one of your jobs."
Rick Fry - Builtrite Management
Extensively-worn Red Oak Parquet Floor Refinish
Floor: Red oak parquet
Finish: Bona polyurethane – semi-gloss
Challenges: As demonstrated by the ‘Before’ pictures, this rental apartment suffered from highly worn floors with an extreme amount of wax and dirt build-up.
Given that this was a rental residence, the project scope also had to adhere to specific budget and time requirements.
Solution: Utilizing our dustless sanding system, the first stage of the project resulted in the complete removal of the wax and dirt build-up while carefully preserving as much of the hardwood wear layer as possible.
The budget of the property manager was satisfied by means of a detailed quotation that incorporated flexible pricing options providing choice as to how extensive the job and repairs could be while still delivering an outstanding end-result.
Completed in 3 short days and delivered in clean, pristine condition, downtime for this residence was minimized and the need for additional time and energy spent cleaning was all-but eliminated.
At Woodsmith Hardwood Floors, we have been giving property managers the latitude and flexibility to help determine the scope and commensurate price of their projects for over 23 years. Find out how we can help you work within your budget while enjoying a high-quality result by contacting us
today!
90 Year-old Fir & 40 Year-old Red Oak Floor Refinish
Floor: Upstairs – 40 year-old Red Oak – T&G / Main level – 90 year-old edge-grain Fir with Mahogany inlays
Finish: Bona Polyurethane, 3-coat, satin finish
Stain: Natural
Challenges: Before the upstairs was completed, the homeowner at the time decided to refinish the main level in preparation for selling the home.
On this main level, a previous do-it-yourself project had created abnormally deep sanding marks as well as areas of obvious over-sanding.
When the now-current owner decided to complete the upstairs just prior to moving in (a short, 4-day time-frame), similar issues existed, as did the need for repairs where
unusual holes previously drilled for a now non-existent stair railing once existed.
Additionally, the floors had been previously coated with a “hardware store” quality water- based finish notorious for wearing out prematurely and for creating a gummy residue on abrasives during any future sanding process.
Solution: When the main level was completed, the almost 100 year-old floors were in such poor condition that an abundance of caution had to be exercised in order to preserve the integrity of the floor as well as the delicate mahogany inlays.
By avoiding sanding too aggressively, our dustless sanding process managed to remove the previously damaged areas while maintaining an adequate wear-layer.
The results were so impressive that once the home sold, the new owner called upon our services once again to complete the upstairs.
In keeping with the homeowner’s challenging schedule, work began on a Thursday, sanding and making repairs, while the final coat was applied on a Saturday in order to accommodate the Monday move-in date.
For over 23 years, Woodsmith Hardwood Floors has been working closely with home owners, adding value to their homes while meeting tight schedules. Let us help you achieve your hardwood refinishing goals on your terms and contact us today.
