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 Northbrook & nearby Glenview, Highland Park
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing in Northbrook, IL
Worn, stained and water-marked hardwood in Northbrook kitchens sanded, repaired board by board and refinished.
- Serving Northbrook ZIP 60062
- A new look without tearing the kitchen out
- Clean, protected work area every day
Hardwood floor problems we repair in Northbrook
A solid hardwood floor can usually be sanded and refinished more than once, which makes repair far less disruptive than replacement. Our Northbrook crew matches the species and width of your boards, fixes water-damaged areas and finishes the kitchen to blend with the rooms next to it.
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.
Deep scratches and dents
Light surface scratches come out with a screen and recoat. Scratches and dents into the wood need a full sanding, and deep gouges may mean a new board.
Dull finish that is otherwise intact
When only the sheen is gone, a recoat brings it back. Waiting too long means a full sand later.
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.
Pet stains and scratches
Pet urine can darken wood much like water does, and deep stains usually need new boards. Claw scratches mostly sand out.
Damaged boards that need replacing
Board replacement follows the floor's pattern. Staggered ends make the new wood hard to find once it is refinished.
Gaps between boards
Wood shrinks in dry winter air. Persistent wide gaps get slivers of matching wood glued in.
What the work covers
- Floor assessmentWe check the species, board width, finish type and how much wear layer remains for sanding.
- Moisture checkMoisture readings on cupped or stained areas tell us whether the floor is dry enough to work on.
- Moving appliances and protecting the roomAppliances moved, cabinet faces masked and plastic hung at the openings.
- Board repair and replacementDamaged boards are cut out and new ones woven in, staggered to match the floor's pattern.
- Stain and color samplesWe put test patches down on the floor for you to compare.
- Trim and thresholdsShoe molding, toe-kick trim and thresholds are reset or replaced after the finish cures.
- Appliances back and care adviceAppliances return once the finish allows, with felt pads and care instructions left behind.
Options to choose from
Hardwax oil finishesPenetrating oil finishes that are easy to touch up in high-wear spots.
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.
Wood stainColors from light natural to deep brown, tested on the sanded floor.
Waterborne polyurethaneClear, low-odor and quick to dry; it keeps light woods light and lets you use the kitchen sooner.
Kitchens like yours in Northbrook: before and after
Before
AfterBefore and after: a postwar Cape Cod in Northbrook
This one is a postwar Cape Cod near Downtown Northbrook. The main complaint was dark water stains in front of the dishwasher. Finished kitchen: the oak floor sanded and refinished with a satin clear finish, grain visible and the water marks gone. Work included moisture check, moving appliances and protecting the room, plus stain and color samples.
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1960s ranch in Glenview
This one is a 1960s ranch near The Park. The main complaint was dark water stains in front of the dishwasher. After: the oak floor sanded and refinished with a satin clear finish, grain visible and the water marks gone. Work included board repair and replacement, trim and thresholds, plus appliances back and care advice.
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing in Glenview →
Before
AfterA Buffalo Grove 1990s two-story colonial: before and after
This one is a 1990s two-story colonial near Didier Farms. What bothered the owners most: 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 moving appliances and protecting the room, stain and color samples, plus trim and thresholds.
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing in Buffalo Grove →
Before
AfterNorthbrook kitchen, postwar bi-level: kitchen remodeling
Finished: cabinets in forest green with matte black pulls, black honed granite counters, a green zellige-look tile backsplash, warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Northbrook →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a postwar Cape Cod in Northbrook
What changed: the same doors sprayed in deep navy, new satin brass pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Northbrook →Day by day
- 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 cureCoats applied, appliances returned once the finish allows and care tips left.
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing questions from Northbrook homeowners
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.
Is dustless sanding really dust-free?
It means dust is collected at the machine. We combine that with masking and cleanup.
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.
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.
Northbrook contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
Village contractor license required, good for one year: general contractors $100; electrical $70. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for hardwood floor repair and refinishing in Northbrook?
It depends on the scope. Northbrook's rule in short: Village lists separate permit types: Single Family Alterations - Interior, Electrical (new wiring/outlets), and Plumbing (new fixtures). We handle the permit when one is needed with Development & Planning Services.
Do you work in my part of Northbrook?
Yes. Our crews work across Northbrook, including Techny, Downtown Northbrook — ZIP 60062 — and nearby Glenview, Highland Park, Mount Prospect.
Working in Northbrook
- A lot of Northbrook kitchens date from the 1970s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Northbrook homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Development & Planning Services handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
TechnyDowntown Northbrook
ZIP 60062
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing nearby
Other kitchen services in Northbrook
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.