The problem with hardwood flooring is that even though it is one of the sturdiest and most reliable types of flooring materials, a small error can cause the entire project to become failure. As a result, we would have to start from scratch. That is the very reason why we insist that such projects requiring heavy duty installation should be done by professionals as we are well-versed with the techniques of installation and repairs, and utilize the latest equipment and machinery that doesn’t leave room for mistakes or discrepancies.
What was the problem?
This particular project in Buffalo Grove required hardwood floor sanding on an extensive scale. The flooring had sustained a lot of damage over the years. Even though the base was more or less robust, we felt it was best to refinish the entire flooring. The rooms were quite large and we didn’t want to conduct partial refinishing that there were too many places that needed fixing up and it would be a waste of both time and effort to do so. That is why we stuck to thorough sanding of hardwood floors followed by refinishing.
What did we do?
After the hardwood floor sanding, we began the process of sprucing up the flooring in different parts of the house so it could look brand new. The idea of refinishing is basically giving a facelift – a few repairs here and there, sanding, staining, and then varnishing. Due to years of wear, the flooring looked dull and drab, and it was our job to impart a clean and polished look. The owners wanted a sleek and subtle aura, without the floor being excessively shiny, so we suggested a dark wood polish on the surface, and they liked the idea, as you can see from the images. The outcome was excellent and blended perfectly with the overall theme of the house.
This is also known as unfinished hardwood flooring installation and it successfully prevents growth of mold, mildew and bacteria on the surface, which increases the longevity of the floors.
As hardwood floor refinishing contractors, we come across different kinds of projects, and each one presents its own set of challenges. For instance, if you consider this hardwood refinishing project in Chicago, it required a major overhaul to say the least, as you can make out from the images.
The problem
The flooring was cracked, chipped, and scratched in several places. Floors are the most frequently used portion of any home, and over the years it gets a lot of traffic from pets, children, guests, which not only leads to wear, but also food spills, dirt and dust accumulating in the cracks, infestation of mold and mildew, chemical stains, and so on. The corners were in a dilapidated condition as well. Getting down with a scrub and bucket of water will not help in this case. While hardwood flooring might not require that much of maintenance, there comes a time when flooring has to be refinished or replaced, even if you have installed the costliest material in the world.
Our solution
Refinishing wood is way harder than it sounds! The pictures clearly show the flooring had become blackened in a few places, so we had to ensure that the finished look would be even throughout the house. After sanding the surface, we removed the current varnish and stains, followed by smoothening the wood and ensuring it is flat, so as to prepare properly for stain and finish application. Apart from standard stain colors, we can mix and match a few to formulate unique tones and hues. We created a darker stain for the flooring than the one they had before, as we felt it would not only look better in terms of aesthetics, but do a more efficient job when it comes to maintenance.
The toughest part is the finishing process, after which, we declare the project as complete. Please note the cost of hardwood refinishing differs based on parameters like area of the house, damage, and so on.
The problem is most homeowners tend to call for help only when the damage has spread extensively to various parts of the house, rather than getting them sorted out at the initial stage. Wood flooring would be much simpler to install in such cases.
First the flooring…
The Hawthorn Woods home was in desperate need of repairs and fixes, since it had been neglected for a long time. The basic problem was the wood floor being stained with the patina of time – too many kids running about and spilling food, visitors bringing dirt and debris to the house underneath shoes, and general wear due to heavy traffic. We ripped up the old flooring completely, as it wasn’t possible or feasible to get repairs done, and began the installation process. They didn’t want any fancy hardwood floor designs so we struck to natural wood flooring and finished it accordingly.
…followed by molding
Moldings have always been underestimated, as it was believed that these installations couldn’t contribute much to the theme and décor of the room. Even though it might not influence the ambience directly, it does add a certain value to each room in your home – it is the perfect way for the walls and ceilings to merge tastefully. Most contemporary homes feature this prominent architectural detail.
Eventually the stairs and handrails
The stairs had to be given an overhaul as well, including the handrails that were rusty and dilapidated. Refinishing stairs is tougher than the rest of the house, because the area isn’t uniform, and we need to ensure that every inch is covered. The stairs were polished in a light brown finish, similar to the wood floor in other rooms, while the handrails were done in pristine white, which looked great with the wooden hues.
The wooden accents went well with the interiors. That is why we insist that homeowners shouldn’t choose a random option when it comes to wood flooring as it is vital they match the surroundings and blend in. Out-of-place flooring in the wrong color or finishing can easily ruin the overall appearance.
It was a common misconception a few decades back that if your home was constructed with concrete as a base, you wouldn’t be able to opt for hardwood installation. However, this is assuredly not true, as people who had homes on concrete could not only install hardwood flooring, but also choose good quality of wood that accentuated the beauty and charm of their houses.
Why we chose prefinished flooring?
This property at Highland Park was in need of a complete floor replacement as there were too many weakened spots for repair. We decided to opt for a prefinished hardwood flooring install since it comes with a factory-applied finish and the installation process is much quicker and simpler. It also has better longevity and can maintain its appearance well over time. We chose a highly durable finish that had been cured of urethane, so the wood retained its hues and color.
Why is it so convenient?
Yet another reason for installing hardwood floors on concrete that were prefinished is due to the face that the owners wanted the floors ready to be used within the shortest time possible. And these types of floors can be walked upon right after installation as there is no drying or curing time involved, as in the case of unfinished floors. Homeowners are frequently opting to install hardwood flooring in a prefinished state because they don’t have to undertake the hassle of relocating their family, which could be a huge problem if they have kids, pets, or elderly people to take care of.
Absolutely safe and reusable
The best part is there are no fumes, dust, or odor emitted from sanding, so if someone in your family is sensitive to these, they can are 100% safe while the hardwood installation process is going in. If you want to get the flooring sanded and refinished in a few years, you can easily do so, because these types of flooring come with a warranty against defects, and due to their longevity, as mentioned before, they can be sanded and refinished several times without affecting the quality.
Prefinished hardwood flooring is an extremely smart and practical choice these days.
Installationg of Parquet Flooring from Czar Floors in Hawthorn Woods
If you are tired of looking at plain and dull flooring and feel it is not imparting much of value and personality to your home, then it is definitely time for a change. This project in Hawthorn Woods was perfect for parquet flooring, as the old one was dilapidated and in very poor condition.
Why opt for parquet floors?
For those who aren’t too familiar with the meaning of a parquet floor, it is basically geometric and angular patterns like squares, lozenges, triangles, etc. in wood to make it more striking and eye-catching. The commonly used type in this category is Herringbone as it is convenient and can easily be installed over concrete and plywood floors. Czar Floors is one of the leading names in this industry, and are well-versed in various kinds of parquet flooring. There was a wide range of ornamental parquet and Herringbone patterns to choose from. Combining diverse design elements, we created a visually appealing effect that is uniform and pleasing to the eye, which is achieved by arranging small chunks of wood in regular, symmetric patterns. This is done for a dual purpose – the beauty of wood grain is exposed, while the flooring takes on a mosaic vibe.
Low maintenance and great aesthetics
Installing parquet floors was less time consuming since we just placed it over the current flooring, arranged the pattern as was specified, and glued it down to sub-floor level (no nailing needed). The theme chosen for this project also has a 3D appearance due to the multi-piece construction required. Parquet wood flooring is also simpler to clean and relatively low maintenance – dust and dirt don’t settle easily on the surface, as there is nothing to hold on to. You can use a mop and vacuum cleaner to get the job done!
Installation of wood parquet flooring shouldn’t be a DIY effort as it takes skill and expertise acquired by professionals to execute it properly. Moreover, a trivial oversight could also lead to unnecessary delays and exorbitant costs.
This project in Hawthorn Woods is something we enjoyed immensely. Flooring looks so much better and adds value & character to its surroundings, if a decorative element can be incorporated successfully. Medallions and borders are a popular choice among homeowners nowadays due to their classic design and visual appeal, so we were happy to accommodate this specific requirement while installing engineered wood flooring.
Medallion installation
The brand name of Czar Floors is practically synonymous with custom inlay installations, in the form of medallions and borders in hardwood floors, so naturally they were our very first and only choice. If you want to get decorative engineered hardwood flooring for your home, then they are undoubtedly the best! Medallions are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and designs and the owners of this place wanted us to stick to floral and geometric versions, so we decided to impart a stylish and contemporary look and feel to the flooring. As you can see from the images, a circular medallion features leaves of different colors in a jumbled heap, while another displays a labyrinth-like pattern.
Borders and Advantages of Engineered Flooring
As for borders, we can create customized ones for both existing and new engineered hardwood floors. They not only add an aesthetic appeal to the room, but also modify the perimeter in a sophisticated fashion. For this particular project, we had to begin from the subfloor – the border is basically glued to the flooring. Moreover, engineered wood floors offer benefits such as less accumulation of moisture on the surface, excellent stability hence improved longevity, no unpleasant odors and zero warping. In addition, they are environment-friendly. Since engineered flooring is fabricated with a thin layer of the wood, the overall cost also goes down; thereby ensuring the whole project remains within budget. Maintenance is hassle-free as well because occasional cleaning and vacuuming will suffice.
The project turned out brilliantly, thanks to the exclusive selection of wood floor medallions and striking floor borders from Czar Floors, which were combined for a stunning and exquisite effect. These inlays are the epitome of style and elegance of hardwood flooring, so your home gets a luxurious overhaul at an affordable rate.
We were not sure what to expect at the Erin Rokicki farmhouse, because out in the country, a lot of dynamics are different that leads to various outcomes. Hardwood flooring might get infested with a certain type of bacteria or be affected due to pile up of debris – the solution would have to be devised accordingly.
What did we notice?
After reaching the place, we inspected the interiors carefully, and it was beautiful, homely, and inviting, but the flooring required some work. Thankfully, we didn’t have to do much damage control – the floors looked dull and had lost their former sheen. What we were told to do is give it a new look by changing the type of finish and make sure that it blends with the theme of the house.
Why opt for this type of flooring?
Rustic hardwood flooring was the perfect choice for the Erin Rokicki farmhouse, since it was in tune with the country setting and ambience. Hickory flooring is being frequently used these days as it is well-known for bringing out the “rustic element” prominently, in lovely shades of brown, and has the ability to stain and polish to a good finish. It is used for its exceptional longevity, flexibility, sturdiness and durability too.
What did we do?
Rustic wood flooring not only looks amazing, but it is affordable as well, so you can give your entire home a facelift at an extremely reasonable price. It is prefinished hardwood, so you save costs from the beginning. This type of flooring adds character to your home, as you can observe from the pictures. We did some restoration work on the sub-flooring too, so as to provide a solid base for the rustic hardwood flooring. Although the home had a great feel, installing rustic flooring helped to incorporate personality and coziness to it. The flooring has natural blemishes and spots that enhance its aura.
It was a real pleasure working in such a wonderful setting!
Don’t leave your most important home project in just anyone’s hands! We take pride in our fine quality craftsmanship and design, and we are proud of our service, expertise and attention to detail. Our knowledge of the preferences of the discerning homeowner has kept our clients coming back and recommending us to friends and family. There are so many flooring choices – let us walk you through the maze of information and decisions, helping you choose the perfect match for your home. We will show you the difference between humdrum and spectacular! Contact us for wood floor installation, wood floor refinishing and wood floor repair. Our Service Area: Arlington Heights; Buffalo Grow; Lake Zurich; Barrington; Deerfield; Northbrook; Glenview; Naperville; Schaumburg; Carol Stream; Wheaton; Oak Brook; Downers Grove; Westmont; Lisle; Hinsdale; Darien; Burr Ridge; Romeoville; Oakbrook Terrace.
1505 E Central Rd, Arlington Heights,
IL, USA 60006
info@theflooringninja.com