Purchasing a new home is an exciting time, and many new-to-you homes have amazing surprises in store, if you know where to look for them. We recently helped out a customer who discovered hardwood flooring hidden beneath LVP, and we were thrilled to help them restore the original flooring to its former glory.
A helpful neighbor mentioned to our client that the previous owner had decided that rather than try to restore the hardwood flooring, which they thought was “unsightly,” they would just cover it up with the LVP and call it a day. However, their failure to properly prepare the hardwood meant that the LVP was already creaky and cracking at the joints only a short time after they installed it. It didn’t help that they chose cheap LVP from a department store and seemed to have installed it themselves, all of which added up to flooring that was seriously detracting from the home’s beauty, value, and comfort. Thankfully, the customer reached out to us, and we were able to set things right.
The 50-year-old hardwood flooring presented a few challenges, but we were ready for them all. Time had caused the boards to shift, which created noticeable gaps throughout the space. Most concerning of all was a board that was broken mid-span and needed replacement. Modern hardwood flooring planks could not match the original flooring’s dimensions, so we had to devise a creative solution.
Our team carefully sourced a period-appropriate material and meticulously shaped it to match the existing hardwood flooring. Once we fitted the replacement board, we proceeded with the restoration process for the remainder of the flooring. We sanded the entire floor to create a smooth, even surface and erase decades of wear and tear. Next, we carefully stained it to enhance the wood’s natural beauty while ensuring consistency across the original flooring and the replacement piece. The final step was applying a professional-grade finish to protect the flooring and highlight the rich character only genuine hardwood can provide.
The transformation was astounding. What was once hidden beneath creaky, cracking LVP emerged as a stand-out feature of the house. This project perfectly illustrates why proper hardwood flooring restoration is almost always preferable to quick-fix solutions like DIY vinyl installations. Those types of projects often produce disappointing results, but that story deserves its dedicated blog post.
Quality hardwood flooring can last generations with proper care and occasional refinishing. Our client can now enjoy the beauty and warmth of the original flooring in their new home.