REFINISHING AND SANDING
Many people believe that refinishing a hardwood floor will fill the house up with dust, however, dust collecting technology has improved quite a bit. Towards the end of a refinish though, there is quite a bit of dust as there is no way of collecting it from a floor buffer. However, we like to seal up all adjoining rooms as much as possible and when we are finished, we like to vacuum up all remaining dust to your liking. We can't be satisfied with a job until you are satisfied. Its true, there are horror stories out there, but usually from unqualified companies.

Stains and Finishes - A natural blonde look is one of the most popular finishes today, but sometimes a floor calls for a darker look. We don't mind sitting down with you, mixing and matching stains to get just the right shade that you are looking for.

We can inform and educate you on water based finishes as well as oil modified urethanes, and even new technology such as oil-water combinations. If you know what you want, we can do it, and if you don't know what you want, we will help you find the perfect finish for your floor.

Douglas Floors - Some of you are sitting on one of the most beautiful floors available and may not be aware of it. Homes in the Bay Area built prior to the mid 1950's usually have "painted" Douglas Fir installed as the primary surface. A refinished Douglas Fir floor looks as nice as anything you could buy new. I like to think of it as a nice worn faded pair of Levis. It's a little softer than most hardwoods, but it's already there, and a refinish, at 1/4 to 1/2 the cost of a new floor is a very wise choice. Click here to view our latest project that involved refinshing a Douglas Fir floor.

REPAIRS
Sometimes wood becomes darkened in spots, and it becomes necessary to replace some boards if it doesn't sand out. If the flooring is old, it is unlikely that the tone will match exactly. New flooring is cut down at a younger age and therefore has a slightly different appearance. If you decide to stain the floor a dark shade, this can sometimes close the tonal gap. The most important thing is communicating your expectations. If your floor has significant damage, and you have a tight budget, you may have to consider a darker color. Water damaged and cupped or warped boards can usually be sanded flat.

MAINTENANCE
For years, I used a commercial floor cleaning product to clean my floor at home. But one day, after running out I decided to try vinegar and warm water. I see no need to go back to commercial cleaners ever again. Use a mop that is firm and has a soft non abrasive surface.

Durability - How long a hardwood floor lasts depends on several factors; lifestyle plays the most important role. If you have big dogs, and kids with lots of toys and throw dinner parties with lots of high heel shoes walking around, your floor will not last as long as say someone who takes their shoes off and keeps the dogs outside. A commonly asked question is, "How often should I recoat my floor?" I've seen floors that need a fresh coat after a couple of years, and floors that haven't been coated in 20 years that look great. It's really your lifestyle that makes the difference. And clip Sparky's nails once in a while.

NEW FLOOR INSTALLATION
With so many species, types of flooring, and subfloor styles, choosing a hardwood floor can be a challenge. Once you figure out your budget and what it is that you like, the challenge isn't so great. All that's left is to figure out what kind of subfloor you have and what you can put on it. If you already have plywood or a plank wood subfloor, the installation will be quite simple.

Many subfloors that are being built nowadays are concrete slab. There are three trains of thought on putting a hardwood floor on a concrete slab. We will discuss each of these methods with you, and help you make the right decision on how to go about installing a hardwood floor that will be the most durable and cost effective for your needs.

To see more of our work please visit our gallery.