Gray, worn traffic paths
When the path from the doorway to the sink looks lighter and rougher than the rest, the finish has worn off. We sand it back and recoat the whole floor evenly.
Serving 49 Chicago-area suburbs
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing in Chicago & the Suburbs
Worn, stained and water-marked hardwood in Chicagoland kitchens sanded, repaired board by board and refinished.
- Serving the Chicago suburbs, from Naperville to Evanston
- A new look without tearing the kitchen out
- Clean, protected work area every day
Hardwood floor problems we repair in Chicagoland
Kitchen hardwood wears faster than the rest of the house: traffic paths go gray at the sink, water marks show up by the dishwasher and chairs scuff the finish. In Chicagoland we replace boards that are beyond saving, sand the floor to fresh wood and apply a new finish built for kitchen use.
Damaged boards that need replacing
Split, rotted or deeply stained boards are cut out and new ones woven in, staggered with the existing joints so the repair doesn't form a square patch.
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.
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.
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
Pale water spots near the sink typically live in the top coat. Refinishing removes them without board replacement.
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.
Gaps between boards
Wood shrinks in dry winter air. Persistent wide gaps get slivers of matching wood glued in.
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 roomThe fridge and range come out, cabinets and doorways are covered and the space is sealed off.
- Board repair and replacementDamaged boards are cut out and new ones woven in, staggered to match the floor's pattern.
- SandingThe floor is sanded in progressive grits with a drum or belt sander and an edger along cabinets.
- Finish coatsSeveral coats of waterborne or oil-modified polyurethane, lightly abraded between coats.
- Trim and thresholdsEdge trim reinstalled and transitions to the next room finished.
Materials and finishes
Engineered hardwoodA wood wear layer over plywood; how often it can be sanded depends on that layer's thickness.
Hardwax oil finishesA matte, natural look that can be spot-repaired, with more frequent maintenance than polyurethane.
Waterborne polyurethaneA clear finish that doesn't yellow much over time and dries fast between coats.
Oil-modified polyurethaneThe traditional finish that deepens the wood color and takes longer to dry.
Wood stainColors from light natural to deep brown, tested on the sanded floor.
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing across Chicagoland
The same job looks different in a 1920s bungalow, a 1970s split-level and a new subdivision. Here is what we plan for in different parts of the region.
What hardwood floor repair and refinishing changes: before and after
Before
AfterBefore and after: a postwar bi-level in Addison
This one is a postwar bi-level in Addison. 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. The job covered moisture check, board repair and replacement, plus trim and thresholds.
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing in Addison →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 2000s open-plan home in Plainfield
This one is a 2000s open-plan home in Plainfield. The reason for the call: gray traffic paths and water marks by the sink. 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 moving appliances and protecting the room.
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing in Plainfield →
Before
AfterHardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing in a 1960s ranch, Glen Ellyn
The site: a 1960s ranch in Glen Ellyn. 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 moisture check, board repair and replacement, plus trim and thresholds.
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing in Glen Ellyn →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 workWe agree on color, finish and the rooms included before work starts.
- 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.
Good to know before hardwood floor repair and refinishing
What affects the cost of refinishing a kitchen floor?
A recoat costs less than a full sand, and repairs add to either. We put the options in writing.
How long until I can use the kitchen?
Socks first, then shoes, then appliances. Rugs go back last, after the finish has cured.
Can you match new boards to an old floor?
Usually, yes. Oak strip is common, and salvage boards help with older or wider floors.
What is the best time of year to refinish hardwood floors?
Spring and fall are easiest: moderate humidity and the option to open windows help the finish dry. Heated, dry winter air and humid summers can slow things down.
What is the difference between refinishing and a screen-and-recoat?
Recoating refreshes a sound finish; refinishing starts the wood over. Recoats are faster with little dust.
Which towns do you serve?
Chicago and 49 suburbs, from Naperville and Aurora to Evanston, Schaumburg and Orland Park. Pick your town below for local details and ZIP codes.
Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing near you
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