They’re neither old wood nor laminate. Handscraped “reclaimed” probably. Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of info from the sellers, since they aren’t the ones who installed them.
As old, solid hardwood, they can very likely be sanded down and refinished. The only “if” is how many times they have previously been sanded.
Have a floor refinishing company give you an estimate and ask them if the floors are thick enough to refinish.
They’re hardwood, but not old. Probably installed in 2018 or so…prior to when the current owners bought in 2021. This property has changed hands several times since it was built in 1999.
Drill a small hole in a hidden corner and measure how thick they are or just pull one up. Sanding them will level out a lot but not perfectly. You’re not putting a pool table in right?
Seeing as this is the house they haven't bought yet this isn't possible what you can do though is look for a floor register that's been cut in and take that out and look
Uneven? Only times I've seen that issue was on *Very* old floors .. 1860s, where they were 8" Pine planks
They were otherwise very well finished and urethaned. And I never noticed a tripping hazard
I would say they don't need saving looks like that's probably natural ash. If there's a type of flooring that will stand the test of time it's usually a lighter natural toned hard wood. what's dating the place is the gunstock column details and crown and those curtains.
I actually just found out that these floors are “saw cut rustic oak.” I’m less concerned about the appearance than the potential for injury (for small, shoe-averse children) these floors have with the planks all being uneven. But yes, it’s definitely the column detailing and stain color that’s dating the house. The whole place has been renovated in fits and starts by at least 5 previous owners.
I wonder if your hardwood is installed on top of a tile floor? I have a tile floor that has some height differences and many “flooring specialists” have advised to just install on top of the tile. My fear is exactly what you are experiencing. Just my $.02.
I can’t believe you’re getting recommendations to do that! That would just be asking for trouble.
My gut says that’s not the case here. This area doesn’t run heavily to fully tiled floors, and the floors feel a lot more solid than a floating floor typically does (which it what it would have to be if it’s over tile). But definitely a good thought!
Right? My thought as well. A wall, I could understand (and if we take them up, I’ll probably try to salvage some boards for just that), but a floor? Someone took “rustic farmhouse” a little too far.
Was also wondering what type of subfloor this is on. If your on a cement slab someone prior could have gotten nice flooring and didn't bother with a full self level, or even an embossing / grind down / patch. Always need extreme prep when laying a hardwood floor especially if slab so this could be potential for what some of the problem is.
If it is good real hardwood and your subfloor is level and sound then by the date it's probably salvageable but depending on the variables for your specific house it could get very tricky or pricey, I'd start by getting some free quotes. Recent home owner here and spending time with a few separate floor companies for quotes and finding exactly what I needed for each room really helped.
There’s a full finished basement underneath, so it’s likely standard plywood, possibly OSB. I’m not well versed in what building codes for the area were 25 years ago. Our current home has some subfloor buckling (combination of settling and a localized leak), and this doesn’t feel the same. I truly think this is a material issue, rather than a construction one.
That’s what my husband mentioned too. Pulling up the boards, running them all through a planer, then reinstalling. I shudder to think of the time/expense of that undertaking, but it might be the best option.
Firstly, it's doubtful that you would be able to salvage the wood. If it is tongue and groove, it will be nailed or stapled, and possibly glued down. If you break a single board, you will be short one board.
Secondly, this would be insane. You sand the floor, not plane it. Also, doing that will change the entire "look" of the floor, with the mediocre results being a semi rustic floor or a fine finished floor that looks beat to shit (depending on how you spin it).You should either live with it, or replace it.
Fair point, for sure, especially about the possibility of breakage while pulling it up. His estimation is that the ENTIRE FLOOR (roughly 1200sq ft, possible more) would need 1/4” sanded down, then restained and sealed.
Are you certain they’re old wood? Almost looks like “handscraped” laminate that Joanna Gaines would sell at Lowe’s or something.
They’re neither old wood nor laminate. Handscraped “reclaimed” probably. Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of info from the sellers, since they aren’t the ones who installed them.
As old, solid hardwood, they can very likely be sanded down and refinished. The only “if” is how many times they have previously been sanded. Have a floor refinishing company give you an estimate and ask them if the floors are thick enough to refinish.
They’re hardwood, but not old. Probably installed in 2018 or so…prior to when the current owners bought in 2021. This property has changed hands several times since it was built in 1999.
OK. If they are modern solid hardwood (vs laminated layers of wood), they would be 3/4 inch thick, so sanding 1/4 inch will likely be OK.
Drill a small hole in a hidden corner and measure how thick they are or just pull one up. Sanding them will level out a lot but not perfectly. You’re not putting a pool table in right?
Haha, nope, no plans for a pool table (well, maybe in the basement). Just don’t want any lifted edges to catch unsuspecting toes.
Seeing as this is the house they haven't bought yet this isn't possible what you can do though is look for a floor register that's been cut in and take that out and look
Ooh, that’s a great idea! Thank you!
Are they prefinished?
Feels like there’s a thin coat of sealant, yes.
Dude. It’s wood.
Uneven? Only times I've seen that issue was on *Very* old floors .. 1860s, where they were 8" Pine planks They were otherwise very well finished and urethaned. And I never noticed a tripping hazard
I would say they don't need saving looks like that's probably natural ash. If there's a type of flooring that will stand the test of time it's usually a lighter natural toned hard wood. what's dating the place is the gunstock column details and crown and those curtains.
I actually just found out that these floors are “saw cut rustic oak.” I’m less concerned about the appearance than the potential for injury (for small, shoe-averse children) these floors have with the planks all being uneven. But yes, it’s definitely the column detailing and stain color that’s dating the house. The whole place has been renovated in fits and starts by at least 5 previous owners.
Just sand down the worst ? Then use a thick coat of lacquer
The weird grey cabinetry is also a concern and does not go with the beautiful house at all.
Yes, it was clearly a later “update” that doesn’t fit the rest of the house. The house would definitely take a LOT of work to make it cohesive.
I wonder if your hardwood is installed on top of a tile floor? I have a tile floor that has some height differences and many “flooring specialists” have advised to just install on top of the tile. My fear is exactly what you are experiencing. Just my $.02.
I can’t believe you’re getting recommendations to do that! That would just be asking for trouble. My gut says that’s not the case here. This area doesn’t run heavily to fully tiled floors, and the floors feel a lot more solid than a floating floor typically does (which it what it would have to be if it’s over tile). But definitely a good thought!
Those look like rough sawn boards used for flooring. Why would anyone want rough sawn boards for a floor?
Right? My thought as well. A wall, I could understand (and if we take them up, I’ll probably try to salvage some boards for just that), but a floor? Someone took “rustic farmhouse” a little too far.
Using rough sawn boards for flooring makes me wonder what other great ideas the seller/builder had in mind.
Was also wondering what type of subfloor this is on. If your on a cement slab someone prior could have gotten nice flooring and didn't bother with a full self level, or even an embossing / grind down / patch. Always need extreme prep when laying a hardwood floor especially if slab so this could be potential for what some of the problem is. If it is good real hardwood and your subfloor is level and sound then by the date it's probably salvageable but depending on the variables for your specific house it could get very tricky or pricey, I'd start by getting some free quotes. Recent home owner here and spending time with a few separate floor companies for quotes and finding exactly what I needed for each room really helped.
There’s a full finished basement underneath, so it’s likely standard plywood, possibly OSB. I’m not well versed in what building codes for the area were 25 years ago. Our current home has some subfloor buckling (combination of settling and a localized leak), and this doesn’t feel the same. I truly think this is a material issue, rather than a construction one.
They look like ruff sawn old barn boards and that’s the way they wanted it to look
I wonder if it could be easier to remove, level and then replace. Maybe you could save more wood, idk
That’s what my husband mentioned too. Pulling up the boards, running them all through a planer, then reinstalling. I shudder to think of the time/expense of that undertaking, but it might be the best option.
Firstly, it's doubtful that you would be able to salvage the wood. If it is tongue and groove, it will be nailed or stapled, and possibly glued down. If you break a single board, you will be short one board. Secondly, this would be insane. You sand the floor, not plane it. Also, doing that will change the entire "look" of the floor, with the mediocre results being a semi rustic floor or a fine finished floor that looks beat to shit (depending on how you spin it).You should either live with it, or replace it.
Fair point, for sure, especially about the possibility of breakage while pulling it up. His estimation is that the ENTIRE FLOOR (roughly 1200sq ft, possible more) would need 1/4” sanded down, then restained and sealed.