Hardwood Floor Refinishing Service in Lake Forest Illinois

Custom Hardwood Floor Refinishing in Lake Forest, Illinois

Step 1: Resanding the Prefinished Hardwood Floor

The initial phase of our project involved resanding the prefinished hardwood floor on the second floor. Due to the durability of the factory-applied finish, prefinished wood is particularly challenging to sand. This required additional time and sanding papers to strip it down to bare wood, ensuring that the new stain adhered properly and delivered an even, beautiful finish.

Challenges of Prefinished Wood:

• Extra sanding effort: More time and abrasive materials needed to reach bare wood.
• Durability of factory finish: While it adds to the wood’s longevity, it also makes refinishing more labor-intensive.

Step 2: Custom Stain Mixing for Color Matching

Given the homeowner’s uncertainty about the desired stain shade, we provided a bespoke service, mixing multiple stains to find the perfect match. This commitment to customization is a hallmark of Stand Up Flooring, demonstrating our dedication to meeting every client’s specific preferences.

Lighting Considerations:

• The custom stain initially appeared brighter on the prefinished wood due to the strong canned lights upstairs, contrasting with the darker, richer appearance under different lighting conditions downstairs. This highlighted the importance of understanding how lighting can affect color perception, ensuring the homeowner was satisfied with the final result under various lighting environments.

Step 3: Refinishing the Red Oak Stairs

After finalizing the stain, we proceeded to refinish the red oak stairs, aiming to match them seamlessly with the newly restored second-floor hardwood. Despite the lighting differences, we managed a seamless color transition between the floors.

Importance of Stairs Refinishing:

• Aesthetic continuity: Creates a cohesive look by matching the stairs with the other floors.
• Enhanced durability: Protects the stairs from wear and tear, improving both appearance and longevity.

Final Results

The comprehensive sanding, staining, and floor refinishing process culminated in beautifully restored second-floor hardwood and stairs that harmonized with the first floor. The homeowner was extremely pleased with the outcome, appreciating our meticulous approach to custom stain mixing and our efforts to achieve the desired aesthetic.