Wow, I can’t even express how happy it makes me feel to get up every morning and see my freshly refinished hardwood floors.
This motivational picture has been stored on my desktop for a year. It was EXACTLY how I envisioned my house’s floors to look.

The red wood floors were kept throughout the property when we refurbished and added on to it over ten years ago. I’ve always liked the idea of a smooth transition from one space to another in communal areas, and since the original house’s footprint featured oak hardwood, it made logical to match it and use it throughout. Back in 2008, I decided to go with a natural finish, and it looked fantastic for a while. However, I had no idea at the time that the oil-based polyurethane that had been applied to protect them would turn so radically yellow over time. After a while, I developed a dislike for my floors.

Years ago, I stained the steps dark after removing the carpet from my staircase and sharing the experience here. Even though I said I would do it, it took me SEVEN years to find a team that could finish my downstairs flooring to match the stairway. How’s that for putting things off:) My desire to match the upstairs hallway and master bedroom’s engineered hardwood flooring was inspired by those decisions.

Real wood is simply too unsafe to use in a kitchen or bathroom given the potential for water damage. I have more contemporary goods like luxury vinyl plank and porcelain tile put in the Las Vegas homes. I upgraded my studio space above the garage with the same waterproof vinyl plank.

But I had to choose whether to refinish the 1300 square feet of hardwood flooring in the downstairs of my house, replace it, or cover it with something else. The cost of replacing them was too high. Refinishing my old wood floors was the best option since, despite how amazing the new luxury vinyl plank wood appearance goods are, covering them with vinyl seemed like a sin.

Here is how they appear now that the work has been finished:

I was certain I wanted a stain from the Jacobean or Walnut family when choosing the stain for the floors. I firmly believed that I should not have any yellow or red undertones. When my refinisher advised using one coat of Ebony, I initially objected. a dark stain What? But after seeing samples of Ebony and Jacobean stains on red oak flooring, I was certain that I would get what I wanted from the Ebony stain: a dark stain that would cover over the red undertones in the oak wood.

He gave me a sample of red oak mixed with Ebony and Jacobean, both of which were similar but with a tint of red in the Jacobean. Not too apparent, but I’m pleased I followed his advice and went to the Ebony.

The photo of the stain sample on the first step of my staircase is shown above. Take note of the differences between the Ebony floor below and the Jacobean floor above, as well as the steps and proposed stains. I took the decision to have the staircase steps rebuilt after noticing the difference, in order to maintain consistency between the stain on the downstairs floor and the hardwood steps leading to the second story.

Another reason I was eager to have my floors refinished was because they had sustained considerable damage over the previous 10 years, including dents in some spots and severe wear and tear around the doors from traffic.

So here is the fundamental procedure. After all of the furniture had been removed, the crew arrived with a machine sander and began to work, first sanding the floor with 36 grit, then again with 50 grit to get rid of the old polyurethane and expose the raw wood. The oil-based polyurethane’s noticeable yellowing is what has been bothering me for all these years.

As I previously indicated, I also had the stairs sanded so that the stain on the hardwood steps would match the stain on the downstairs flooring for consistency.

They gave the floor two coats of sanding before adding wood filler to cover any dents or damage. I didn’t have to take any baseboards out, as you can see! The majority of the floors could be finished with the large sander, and the baseboards could be finished with hand sanders and scrapers.

After applying the wood filler, the crew gave the surface a third pass with 100 grit sandpaper and an orbital sander to ensure that it was completely smooth.

They vacuumed the floors first, then stained them. To prepare the flooring for the ebony stain, they misted the floors with water just before applying the stain (using a gadget resembling a garden sprayer).

These pictures, which were taken by the crew, include the machine and its associated pads that were used to apply a single layer of the Ebony stain to the sanded red oak flooring. We apologize that one of the pictures is grainy.

Once the stain had dried, it was time to apply the covering. They used a water-based mixture, which won’t turn yellow like the one I previously had. Between the first and second applications, they lightly buffed the surface to a satin sheen and applied three coats in total.

After the workers left, it was necessary to repaint all of the baseboards and stair risers since there were areas where the stain had splattered onto them. Thanks to Matt, who took on this task and covered any stain residue on the baseboards by moving about the home with a paintbrush and tape.

As I said at the outset, we had the laborious duty of entirely leaving the house so that the work could be finished. Either the garage or the courtyard became home to all of the furniture. Before being brought back inside, my dining room table had to spend 10 days covered outside. Matt is about to move it back inside; say hi! Well done, sir.

Even though I adore my new floors, the deeper stain actually makes everything stand out. Although the natural wood flooring may have concealed more filth, I wanted the room to be dark, so I must maintain them. I do it by giving the floors a fast sweep every day with a Bona duster that has a microfiber cloth attached by velcro; this makes maintaining the floors clean quick and simple.

I made the proper choice choosing the Ebony sheen since it gave my flooring a deep, black stain. I really adore the satin finish because it has such a delicate sheen. It also fluctuates in intensity, becoming darker in the evening.

… but less intense throughout the day.
You may remember that I recently renovated the powder room. Here is a look at the room with the newly installed dark tinted floors.

I can’t lay any rugs on the floor for two weeks while the protective coat cures. We’re slowly bringing the furniture back in, but I’ve vowed not to let anything in that isn’t significant. We agreed that if something is clutter or just unimportant, it won’t be brought back into the house. As a result, my garage is overflowing with items, and it will take me weeks to sell or donate everything. But I began putting the communal areas back together, starting with the family room.

I adore my teal sectional sofa and the three mirrors in the corner, but I don’t enjoy the inherited chair that used to be in that spot, so I’ll be looking for a comfy reading chair to take its place. That corner is currently vacant.

We are liking how the house is only sparsely furnished since it makes it feel brand-new once more. Warm and inviting while while feeling refreshing.
I’m motivated to make more alterations, like switching out the light fixtures and adding new rugs and artwork. Remain tuned.