Wood hidden under old vinyl or tile
Older kitchens sometimes hide hardwood under vinyl tile and black adhesive. Some old tiles and mastic contain asbestos, so we have them tested before anything is disturbed.
Serving Glenview & nearby Northbrook, Park Ridge
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing in Glenview, IL
Worn, stained and water-marked hardwood in Glenview kitchens sanded, repaired board by board and refinished.
- Serving Glenview ZIP 60025, 60026, 60062
- A new look without tearing the kitchen out
- Clean, protected work area every day
Hardwood floor problems we repair in Glenview
We repair and refinish wood floors in Glenview kitchens, from a light screen-and-recoat on a dull finish to a full sanding with new stain. Damaged boards are woven out and replaced so the repair follows the grain instead of making a patch.
Gray, worn traffic paths
The finish wears through first in front of the sink, range and fridge, then the bare wood grays. Sanding removes the worn layer, and a fresh finish seals it again.
Gaps between boards
Small seasonal gaps come with heating season. We fill only the ones that stay open, so the floor isn't locked tight in humid months.
Black or dark water stains
Dark rings under a plant or along the dishwasher have soaked into the wood fibers. We test-sand, and when the stain goes deep, we weave in new boards.
Cupped or crowned boards
Cupping is a moisture symptom. Sanding a cupped floor too early leaves it crowned once it dries, so drying and time come before refinishing.
Matching the kitchen to the next room
Refinishing a kitchen alone can leave a visible line at the doorway. We plan where the work stops or carry it through.
White water marks in the finish
If the mark is white or milky, moisture is trapped in the coating. That is good news: the wood below is often fine.
Floor turned yellow or orange
The honey-orange shade of an aging finish comes off with sanding. A new stain or a clear coat gives you a different color.
What the work covers
- Floor assessmentA close look at the wood, the stains and the existing finish to decide between recoat, refinish and repair.
- Moisture checkWe measure the wood and subfloor moisture before sanding near any past leak.
- Moving appliances and protecting the roomAppliances moved, cabinet faces masked and plastic hung at the openings.
- Board repair and replacementWe lace in matching boards wherever stains, rot or splits go too deep to sand out.
- SandingThe floor is sanded in progressive grits with a drum or belt sander and an edger along cabinets.
- Trim and thresholdsEdge trim reinstalled and transitions to the next room finished.
- Appliances back and care adviceWe set everything back and explain cure times and safe cleaners.
Finishes we offer
Oil-modified polyurethaneThe traditional finish that deepens the wood color and takes longer to dry.
Waterborne polyurethaneClear, low-odor and quick to dry; it keeps light woods light and lets you use the kitchen sooner.
Replacement boardsMatching boards for weaving in repairs, chosen to blend after finishing.
Wood stainColors from light natural to deep brown, tested on the sanded floor.
Hardwax oil finishesPenetrating oil finishes that are easy to touch up in high-wear spots.
Kitchens like yours in Glenview: before and after
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1950s ranch in Glenview
The site: a 1950s ranch near The Grove. The main complaint was a worn finish that no longer protected the wood. Finished kitchen: the oak floor sanded and refinished with a satin clear finish, grain visible and the water marks gone. On site this meant floor assessment, moving appliances and protecting the room, plus trim and thresholds.
Before
AfterNorthbrook kitchen, 1960s ranch: hardwood floor repair & refinishing
The site: a 1960s ranch near Downtown Northbrook. The main complaint was a worn finish that no longer protected the wood. Finished kitchen: the oak floor sanded and refinished with a satin clear finish, grain visible and the water marks gone. The job covered floor assessment, moisture check, plus appliances back and care advice.
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing in Northbrook →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1950s ranch in Glenview
Cabinets in white uppers and dusty blue lowers with matte black pulls, bright white quartz counters, a terracotta-look square tile backsplash, black-and-white checkerboard tile flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Remodeling in Glenview →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1950s ranch in Glenview
The same doors sprayed in pale sage, new polished nickel pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Glenview →
Before
AfterA Glenview postwar Cape Cod: before and after
New five-piece shaker doors in soft white on the existing boxes, matching face-frame veneer and satin brass pulls.
Cabinet Refacing in Glenview →How your hardwood floor repair and refinishing goes
- Look at the floorWe visit, test moisture where needed and tell you whether to recoat, refinish or replace boards.
- Plan the workPick a finish and stain, decide where the work stops and schedule time out of the kitchen.
- Repair and sandBoard repairs first, then sanding to fresh wood and staining.
- Finish and cureFinish coats go on with dry time between them; light use comes first, full use after the cure.
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing questions from Glenview homeowners
What affects the cost of refinishing a kitchen floor?
The floor area, how many boards need replacing, stain versus natural, the finish and whether adjoining rooms are included. We give a written, itemized estimate after the visit.
Is dustless sanding really dust-free?
No sanding is completely dust-free, but systems that vacuum at the sander capture most of it. We also seal off the kitchen with plastic.
How long until I can use the kitchen?
Socks first, then shoes, then appliances. Rugs go back last, after the finish has cured.
Waterborne or oil-based finish?
Choose waterborne for a lighter look and faster return to the kitchen; oil-modified for a warmer, traditional color.
How many times can hardwood be refinished?
Solid strip flooring can usually be sanded several times. Engineered flooring depends on its wear layer; some can be sanded once or twice, some not at all.
Do I need a Glenview-registered contractor for hardwood floor repair and refinishing?
General and demolition contractors register with the Village: $50 fee, $25,000 bond, certificate of insurance and workers comp proof. Unlisted contractor types need no registration. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for hardwood floor repair and refinishing in Glenview?
It depends on the scope. Glenview's rule in short: Permit required for remodeling/altering a structure, changing the number or location of plumbing fixtures or piping, and new electrical work. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development, Inspectional Services Division (Development Center).
Do you work in my part of Glenview?
Yes. Our crews work across Glenview, including The Park, The Glen, The Grove — ZIP 60025, 60026, 60062 — and nearby Northbrook, Park Ridge, Des Plaines.
Working in Glenview
- A lot of Glenview kitchens date from the 2000s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Glenview homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community Development, Inspectional Services Division (Development Center) handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
The ParkThe GlenThe Grove
ZIP 60025ZIP 60026ZIP 60062
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing nearby
Other kitchen services in Glenview
Kitchen Subfloor RepairSoft spots, rot and squeaks fixed at the structure under the floor.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.
Cabinet RefacingNew doors and fronts on your existing cabinet boxes.
Countertop Fabrication & InstallationQuartz, granite and butcher block, templated and installed.