Hardwood Floor Refinishing Service in Lake Forest Illinois

Custom Hardwood Floor Refinishing in Lake Forest, Illinois

Step 1: Resanding the Prefinished Hardwood Floor

The first step in this project was to resand the prefinished hardwood floor on the second floor. Prefinished wood is notoriously tough to resand due to its factory-applied finish. It required more time and additional sanding papers to strip it down to bare wood. This meticulous sanding process was crucial to ensure that the new stain would adhere properly and deliver an even, beautiful finish.

Challenges of Prefinished Wood:

• Extra sanding effort: Prefinished wood requires more time and abrasive materials to strip to bare wood.
• Durability of factory finish: While prefinished wood is incredibly durable, it makes refinishing more labor-intensive.

Step 2: Custom Stain Mixing for Color Matching

The homeowner was uncertain about the exact shade of stain they wanted. To ensure their satisfaction, we offered to mix stains until we achieved the perfect color. This is a service we proudly offer at Stand Up Flooring, where we go the extra mile to customize every project.

Lighting Considerations:

Interestingly, the custom stain initially appeared brighter on the second-floor prefinished wood compared to the red oak stairs. However, we quickly identified that the lighting played a significant role. The strong canned lights upstairs gave the illusion of a brighter color, while the darker rooms downstairs made the same stain appear deeper and richer. It was important to explain to the homeowner how lighting affects color perception, ensuring they were happy with the final result under all conditions.

Step 3: Refinishing the Red Oak Stairs

Once the custom stain was finalized, we moved on to refinishing the red oak stairs. Matching the color with the newly restored second-floor hardwood was essential, and although the lighting made it tricky, we ensured a seamless transition from the stairs to the upstairs floors.

Why Stairs Refinishing is Important:

• Aesthetic continuity: Matching the stairs with other floors creates a cohesive look throughout the home.
• Enhanced durability: Refinishing stairs not only improves appearance but also protects them from wear and tear.

Final Results

After completing the sanding, staining, and refinishing process, the second-floor hardwood and stairs were beautifully restored to a color that harmonized with the first floor. The owner was pleased with the final result and appreciated the effort put into custom stain mixing to achieve their desired aesthetic.