700 sq ft of original 1940s longleaf pine were revealed under carpet in a Seminole Heights bungalow, sanded, repaired and refinished in a natural golden tone.
The Challenge
The homeowner pulled a corner of carpet to reveal the original longleaf pine floor in excellent condition. Seven boards had damage — 3 with gouges, 4 with nail heads above the surface. The existing wood had a dark oil-stain finish from a 1970s refinish that the owner wanted lightened.
Our Solution
We pulled all carpet and tack strips carefully to avoid damaging the wood. We repaired all 7 problem boards (filled gouges with color-matched filler, set nail heads and filled). We sanded with 36, 60, 80 and 120-grit in sequence, stained with a golden natural oil, and applied 3 coats of water-based polyurethane with light abrasion between coats.
The Result
The floors are the best feature of the bungalow. They glow in the afternoon light. The homeowner called it "the best renovation decision we've made."
Work Completed
- Remove carpet and tack strips — 700 sq ft
- Repair 7 damaged boards — fill, set nails
- Sand sequence: 36, 60, 80, 120-grit
- Stain — natural golden oil stain
- 3 coats water-based polyurethane with 220 abrasion between coats
- Final buff and tack-off before last coat
Questions About This Project
How do I know if the floors under my Seminole Heights carpet are worth refinishing?
Pull a corner of carpet in an inconspicuous spot. If you see wood (not OSB subfloor), it's likely worth refinishing. We offer a free assessment to confirm the condition and give you a realistic estimate.
Need a Similar Project Done?
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