Engineered White Oak Floor Installation in Bloomsbury Estates, Raleigh NC
Complete demo of worn engineered hardwood and carpet throughout a Bloomsbury Estates condo, followed by glue-down installation of 5" engineered white oak finished with DuraSeal Special Walnut and Bona Traffic HD.
Location
Bloomsbury Estates, Raleigh, NCSpecies
White Oak, 5" Engineered
Finish
DuraSeal Special Walnut + Bona IntenseSeal + Bona Traffic HD
Square Feet
1,800 sq ft
Completed
2023
This Bloomsbury Estates flooring project is a full engineered hardwood replacement over concrete in Raleigh, NC. 12th And Oak removed worn engineered flooring and bedroom carpet, prepared the concrete slab, installed 5-inch engineered white oak, then sanded, stained, sealed, and finished the floors with a premium Bona Traffic HD system. The result is a seamless, continuous hardwood surface throughout the entire condo.
The Challenge
The existing engineered hardwood throughout this Raleigh condo had seen years of heavy use. Sun fading had created a noticeable discolored patch where a rug had covered part of the floor, and surface scratching had accumulated across the field. The bedrooms had carpet over a concrete slab. The client wanted a cohesive, durable floor throughout the entire unit, which required removing two different existing materials and installing new engineered white oak on a concrete substrate.
What We Did
We demolished and hauled away the existing engineered hardwood and carpet, cleaned the concrete subfloor, and spread adhesive for a full glue-down installation of 5" engineered white oak. After the boards were set and the adhesive had cured, we sanded the entire field flat with our Bona PowerDrive planetary sander and finished the edges and corners with the Lagler Flip. Water-popped stain preparation opened the grain for deep, even color absorption before DuraSeal Special Walnut was applied. Bona IntenseSeal locked in the stain, and two coats of Bona Traffic HD delivered a durable, low-maintenance surface rated for heavy residential use.
Before
During
After
Products Used on This Project
“The removal and clean up was done expertly and the new flooring installed with extreme care and quality. The owner demonstrates a passion for quality and love and knowledge of wood. I whole-heartedly can recommend 12th and Oak for any flooring needs.”
P. C. Witt, Bloomsbury Estates
Common Questions
Can engineered hardwood be installed over concrete in Raleigh homes?
Yes. Engineered hardwood is often the right hardwood product for concrete slabs when installed with the correct adhesive, moisture testing, and subfloor preparation. This project used a full glue-down method over a concrete subfloor throughout the condo, which is standard for slab construction common in Raleigh condos and townhomes.
Is glue-down engineered hardwood better than floating flooring?
For most premium installations, glue-down engineered hardwood feels more solid underfoot and performs better over concrete. A properly glued floor eliminates the flex and movement that floating installations can develop over time, and there is no hollow sound underfoot.
Can engineered white oak be sanded and finished after installation?
Yes, provided the product has a sufficient wear layer. This project was sanded flat with the Bona PowerDrive planetary sander after installation, then water-popped and finished on site. Site-finishing produces a seamless, custom surface that factory-finished engineered products cannot match.
What finish was used on this Raleigh engineered hardwood project?
DuraSeal Special Walnut stain was applied after water-popped stain preparation, followed by Bona IntenseSeal as a sealer coat and two coats of Bona Traffic HD as the topcoat. Bona Traffic HD is a commercial-grade waterborne finish rated for heavy residential use with a 3-day full cure time.
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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