Hardwood Floor Refinishing in Chicago | True Black Stained Hardwood Floors on Wellington Ave

Hardwood Floor Refinishing Project in Chicago – Wellington Ave

Floor Condition Before Refinishing

The hardwood floors had visible scratches, uneven wear, and several damaged planks that required replacement. In one section the flooring had been installed over sleepers, which caused movement in the boards and needed reinforcement before refinishing.

To properly restore the floor, we replaced six damaged planks and reinforced the affected area so the flooring would remain stable for years to come.

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Sanding Process

To bring the floors back to bare wood we used a three-stage sanding process with progressive grits. This removes the old finish while gradually smoothing the wood surface.

Professional equipment was used throughout the project including a Hummel drum sander and Pallmann edger, which allow for precise sanding across large areas and along walls.

After the main sanding stages, the floors were buffed with 120-grit mesh to refine the surface and prepare it for staining.

Edges, corners, and the stair areas were carefully hand-buffed to ensure a consistent finish across the entire floor.

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Custom Stain Selection

The homeowners wanted a darker modern look but still wanted the floors to complement the tones already present in the home.

After reviewing samples, we used Duraseal True Black stain but adjusted the tone slightly to soften the appearance so it worked better with nearby vinyl plank flooring and the changing natural light in the home.

This custom approach allowed the floors to achieve a rich dark finish without appearing overly harsh.

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Hardwood Finishing System

Once the stain cured, we applied three coats of durable water-based acrylic Loba finish.

Between coats, the floor was buffed with 220-grit paper to ensure smooth adhesion and a consistent surface.

This finishing system provides strong protection while keeping the natural character of the wood visible.

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Dust Control and Jobsite Protection

During the refinishing process we used professional dust-control methods including:

• commercial vacuum system with dust separator
• repeated vacuuming between sanding stages
• protective covering of nearby surfaces using painter’s foil

Furniture was carefully moved to allow us to complete the project in sections while keeping the home functional during the work.

These steps help reduce dust contamination and ensure the final stain and finish apply cleanly.

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Final Result

The refinished floors now feature a deep black tone with a smooth durable finish that completely refreshed the look of the home.

The plank repairs blended seamlessly with the existing flooring, and the staircases now match the newly refinished floors throughout the house.

The homeowners were very happy with the final result and the updated look of their floors.