Brazilian Tigerwood Floor Refinishing in Glen Laurel, Clayton NC
Original Brazilian Tigerwood floors in Glen Laurel, buried under years of consumer polish buildup, sanded back to bare wood and finished natural with Bona IntenseSeal and two coats of Bona Traffic HD. Both staircases were refinished to match, and our moving partner handled all the furniture.
Location
Glen Laurel, Clayton, NCSpecies
Brazilian Tigerwood (Brazilian Koa) with Maple Inlay Borders
Finish
Natural + Bona IntenseSeal + 2 Coats Bona Traffic HD
Square Feet
850 sq ft
Timeline
Finished a day ahead of schedule
Completed
2026
This Glen Laurel project is a full refinish of original Brazilian Tigerwood floors, also sold as Brazilian Koa, in Clayton, NC. The floors had never been refinished since the home was built off Hein Drive, and repeated applications of consumer floor polish had left a hazy, scratched surface that no amount of cleaning could fix. 12th And Oak sanded the floors and both staircases back to bare wood, preserved the maple inlay borders, and finished everything natural with Bona IntenseSeal and two coats of Bona Traffic HD.
The Challenge
These Tigerwood floors were original to the house and had never been touched by a sander. Over the years, someone had applied consumer floor polish several times to try to bring back the luster. That is one of the most common mistakes we see, and it always ends the same way. The polish layers built up into a cloudy haze, and because polish is far softer than a real floor finish, every scratch in it stood out worse than the wear it was meant to hide. On top of the buildup, the exposed areas of the floor had oxidized and discolored unevenly, so the rooms read blotchy, dark, and dull instead of showing the dramatic striping Tigerwood is known for. The floors also carried maple inlay borders in the main rooms and entry that had to survive an aggressive sanding, and the homeowners wanted both staircases brought back at the same time.
What We Did
Our moving partner relocated all of the furniture out of the house before we started, and moved it all back in when the floors were done, so the homeowners never lifted a piece themselves. We rough cut the entire main level with the Lagler Hummel to flatten the floor and get through the polish buildup, the haze, and the oxidized surface, then followed with our planetary sander to further flatten the field and refine the scratch pattern, with edgers handling the perimeter. Tigerwood is one of the hardest species we work on, far denser than oak, so sanding it clean takes sharp abrasives and patience, but the payoff is huge: fresh-cut Tigerwood reveals the bold striping that gives the species its name. The maple inlay borders came through the sanding crisp and bright. We finished the floors natural, no stain, because dense exotics carry their color in the wood itself. Bona IntenseSeal locked in the natural tone, and two coats of Bona Traffic HD, our most durable waterborne finish, went on top. Both sets of stairs were sanded and finished with the same system. The homeowners stayed in the house the entire time, the low odor was gone within an hour of each coat, and we wrapped up a day ahead of schedule.
Before
During
After
Products Used on This Project
“We had our hardwood floors refinished and 12 Oaks did a GREAT job. The floors look like they're brand new again. We didn't need to move out of the house, minimal odor that was gone in an hour and they were done a day early. If you're looking to get your floors refinished give 12 Oaks a call.”
Harry Silver, Glen Laurel
Project Investment
What Does a Project Like This Cost?
Projects like this one, roughly 850 square feet of refinishing plus two staircases and professional furniture moving, typically range from $8,500 to $12,000 depending on floor condition, species, and finish selection. Heavy polish buildup adds sanding time and tends to move a project toward the top of the range.
No two floors price the same. Square footage, wood species, repairs, stair configuration, subfloor preparation, and finish selection all move the number, which is why we quote from an in-home assessment instead of over the phone. Our cost guide publishes our current starting rates and typical ranges for every service, and the written proposal you receive covers every line item with no surprises.
Common Questions
Can floor polish buildup be removed from hardwood floors?
Yes, but the right method depends on how deep the damage goes. When the polish is hazy but the finish underneath is intact, a chemical polish removal and deep clean can strip the buildup without sanding. On this Glen Laurel project the polish layers were heavily scratched and the Tigerwood underneath had discolored unevenly after 20 plus years, so a full sand-and-refinish was the correct fix. If your floors are hazy from Rejuvenate, Orange Glo, or a similar product, we can assess which approach your floors actually need.
Can Brazilian Tigerwood or Brazilian Koa floors be refinished?
Absolutely, but it is not a species for a rental sander. Tigerwood is dramatically harder and denser than red or white oak, so it demands sharp abrasives, a properly weighted machine, and an experienced hand to cut clean without dish-out or chatter. Refinished correctly, the reward is the bold dark striping over orange-brown heartwood that made the species popular in the first place.
Why was this floor finished natural instead of stained?
Dense exotic species like Tigerwood do not absorb stain well, and they do not need it. The color lives in the wood itself. Freshly sanded Tigerwood starts out lighter, then deepens to a rich reddish brown as it takes on UV light over the first months. A clear sealer and finish, in this case Bona IntenseSeal under two coats of Bona Traffic HD, protects the wood while letting that natural color develop.
Did the homeowners have to move out during refinishing?
No. With waterborne finishes like Bona Traffic HD, odor is minimal and dissipates fast. These homeowners stayed in the house for the entire project and noted the smell was gone within about an hour of each coat. Our moving partner handled all the furniture, out before sanding and back in after the finish cured, so the house was never torn up longer than it had to be.
How long does a refinishing project like this take?
A main level plus stairs in the 2026 Clayton market typically runs about a week: furniture out, sanding, sealer, two finish coats with dry time between, then furniture back in. This project included two staircases and still finished a day ahead of schedule. Bona Traffic HD is ready for socks in 24 hours, furniture with felt pads in 72 hours, and rugs after full cure.
Ready to Start Your Project?
Every project starts with a free in-home consultation. We come to you, assess the floor, and give you a written estimate before any work begins.
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