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 Lombard & nearby Villa Park, Glen Ellyn
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing in Lombard, IL
Worn, stained and water-marked hardwood in Lombard kitchens sanded, repaired board by board and refinished.
- Crews working in Lombard ZIP 60148
- Most jobs done in days, with your kitchen still usable
- Samples and a written quote before we start
Hardwood floor problems we repair in Lombard
We repair and refinish wood floors in Lombard 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.
Matching the kitchen to the next room
Kitchen floors that look different from the adjoining wood can be sanded together and finished in one color.
Cupped or crowned boards
Wavy boards near the sink or a leaky dishwasher need the water source fixed. Many settle back partly once dry; the rest are sanded flat or replaced.
Pet stains and scratches
Scratches from dogs are common in kitchens and sand out well. Urine stains that go deep mean replacing those boards.
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
Wood shrinks in dry winter air. Persistent wide gaps get slivers of matching wood glued in.
Deep scratches and dents
Fine scuffs stay in the finish; gouges reach the wood. Sanding takes out most of them.
White water marks in the finish
Cloudy white rings and spots usually sit in the finish rather than the wood. A light abrade and recoat, or sanding in that area, often clears them.
What we do on the job
- Floor assessmentWe check the species, board width, finish type and how much wear layer remains for sanding.
- Moving appliances and protecting the roomThe fridge and range come out, cabinets and doorways are covered and the space is sealed off.
- Board repair and replacementWe lace in matching boards wherever stains, rot or splits go too deep to sand out.
- SandingWe sand to clean wood, finishing edges and corners by hand where machines can't reach.
- Stain and color samplesStain samples on your own sanded floor so you see the real color before committing.
- 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
Wood stainColors from light natural to deep brown, tested on the sanded floor.
Replacement boardsSame species, grade and width — commonly red or white oak strip — from new stock or salvage.
Engineered hardwoodEngineered floors can be refinished if the top layer is thick enough; thin ones get a recoat instead.
Oil-modified polyurethaneA warm, amber-toned finish with a longer dry time and a stronger odor while curing.
Hardwax oil finishesA matte, natural look that can be spot-repaired, with more frequent maintenance than polyurethane.
Before and after: kitchens near Lombard
Before
AfterBefore and after: a postwar Cape Cod in Lombard
This one is a postwar Cape Cod in Lombard. The main complaint was a worn finish that no longer protected the wood. After: the oak floor sanded and refinished with a satin clear finish, grain visible and the water marks gone. Work included floor assessment, board repair and replacement, plus stain and color samples.
Before
AfterGlen Ellyn kitchen, 1960s ranch: hardwood floor repair & refinishing
This one is a 1960s ranch in Glen Ellyn. What bothered the owners most: a worn finish that no longer protected the wood. The result: the oak floor sanded and refinished with a satin clear finish, grain visible and the water marks gone. The job covered moving appliances and protecting the room, board repair and replacement, plus trim and thresholds.
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing in Glen Ellyn →
Before
AfterAddison kitchen, postwar Cape Cod: hardwood floor repair & refinishing
A postwar Cape Cod in Addison, a typical kitchen for Addison. What bothered the owners most: dark water stains in front of the dishwasher. The result: the oak floor sanded and refinished with a satin clear finish, grain visible and the water marks gone. On site this meant board repair and replacement, sanding, plus trim and thresholds.
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing in Addison →
Before
AfterA Lombard postwar Cape Cod: before and after
Cabinets in dark teal with brushed nickel bar pulls, charcoal concrete-look quartz counters, a white 2x8 tile in a vertical stack backsplash, hickory luxury vinyl plank flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Remodeling in Lombard →
Before
AfterA Lombard 1960s ranch: before and after
The same doors sprayed in powder blue, new satin brass pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Lombard →How the job 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 Lombard homeowners
What is the best time of year to refinish hardwood floors?
Mild seasons are ideal, but we refinish year-round by controlling heat and ventilation.
What is the difference between refinishing and a screen-and-recoat?
Buff and coat is maintenance for a dull floor. Sand and refinish is for wear into the wood or a color change.
Can you match new boards to an old floor?
New wood is woven in and finished with the rest. A full sand and stain makes it blend best.
Is it cheaper to refinish or replace a hardwood floor?
Replacement is for floors that are too thin, too damaged or not the wood you want. Most solid floors can be refinished.
Can water-damaged hardwood be repaired?
Often. White marks in the finish usually come out; black stains and badly cupped boards may need replacing. The source of the water has to be fixed first.
Lombard contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
Contractors must register with the Village: $100 fee, valid 1 year, online or via Building Division; insurance certificate with at least $300,000 liability coverage. We take care of that before work starts.
Do Lombard condo associations need to approve hardwood floor repair and refinishing?
Associations usually set rules for work hours, elevators, deliveries and insurance, and many require approval for plumbing, electrical or structural changes. We provide the certificate of insurance and follow the building's rules.
Do I need a permit for hardwood floor repair and refinishing in Lombard?
It depends on the scope. Lombard's rule in short: Village requires a building permit for new structures and updates to existing structures; replacing interior doors and fixtures at the same size with no structural change needs no permit. We handle the permit when one is needed with Building Division, Community Development and Building.
Do you work in my part of Lombard?
Yes. Our crews work across Lombard — ZIP 60148 — and nearby Villa Park, Glen Ellyn, Addison.
Working in Lombard
- A lot of Lombard kitchens date from the 1960s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Condo or townhome? We follow association rules on work hours and elevators and bring the insurance certificate your board asks for.
- We know how Building Division, Community Development and Building handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60148
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing nearby
Other kitchen services in Lombard
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.