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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/refinishing 130 year old wood floors

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Expert: - 1/25/2011


Question
Hi, we recently purchased a home built in 1888.  The hardwood floors are oak.  The floors are in good shape but have worn with time.  The color is uneven in traffic patterns and there is no protective finish left on the floors.
Is it possible for us to rent a machine and try to refinish these floors ourselves, or would you automatically suggest a professional?
The floors are close to 3/4 inch thick, and my husband and I have refinished one wood floor before, but it was much newer and I did not take the entire finish off like I would like to do with this one.  I feel to make it look it's best I would like it completely sanded down and stained.  Also, we have two dogs and I would love to know if you recommend a certain top coat that resists scratching.  How many layers of top coat do you apply?
Thanks so much!

Answer
I would suggest a Pro without hesitation, and you need to find one who has experience with antique flooring if these are the original floors.It's either random width planks, or a strip floor, and it may be a floor over the original floor..This is NOT a DIY job and you could easily ruin these floors, depending on what's there.Power sanding with a heavy duty floor sander is a no-no, unless you want to ruin these beautiful boards, or they've had that done before.They will also know what to offer you in the way of the latest finishing products...but some of them may not be recommended for an Antique floor...depending on the look you're after. Floors such as these should NOT be overly sanded/renewed to look super clean and new...they should show their patina, character, and wear proudly, while being protected properly with a durable finish. NOT something all floor guys can offer you, so choose carefully, but have a Pro or 3 in to evaluate them with you.You'll likely learn a lot. They need to be cleaned, dewaxed and prepped carefully. The finishing is the easy part. Hope that helps.Regards- Greg

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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