12th And Oak Floor Co.
Red oak herringbone pattern at fireplace hearth finished with natural hardwax oil in Glen Laurel Clayton NC
Installation

Red Oak Installation with Herringbone Hearth, Glen Laurel

Carpet removal from a large family room, new 2.25-inch red oak laced into existing hardwood throughout the main level, custom herringbone pattern at the fireplace hearth, and a full sand and natural hardwax oil finish.

Species

Red Oak, 2.25"

Finish

Natural Hardwax Oil (Natura OneCoat)

Square Feet

2,200 sq ft

Completed

2025

The Challenge

The family room had wall-to-wall carpet sitting over a concrete subfloor while the rest of the main level had existing 2.25-inch red oak in reasonable condition. The goal was to remove the carpet, install matching red oak, and lace the new boards seamlessly into the existing flooring so the entire floor read as one continuous surface. The homeowners also wanted a distinctive herringbone inlay at the fireplace hearth. Achieving a seamless lace-in across the full main level while also laying a clean herringbone field required precise layout and careful milling at every junction.

What We Did

We pulled the carpet and prepped the concrete subfloor with a moisture barrier before installing new 2.25-inch select red oak in the family room. The lace-in cuts were made at every doorway and transition point to weave the new boards into the existing floor with tight, continuous grain lines. At the fireplace, we laid a herringbone field that frames the hearth and transitions cleanly into the straight-run boards on either side. Once installation was complete, we sanded the entire main level to one uniform plane, applied water-popped stain preparation to open the grain, and finished with two coats of Natura OneCoat hardwax oil in natural. The result is a warm, matte finish that reads as a single cohesive floor from entry to back of the home.

Before

Existing 2.25-inch red oak hardwood floors in main level hallway before refinishing, Glen Laurel Clayton NC
The existing red oak on the main level was structurally sound with finish wear showing in high-traffic areas. The carpet in the family room had to come out first.
Carpet pulled up from family room exposing subfloor before hardwood installation in Glen Laurel Clayton NC
Carpet and pad removed from the family room. The concrete subfloor was moisture-tested and prepped before any new wood went down.

During

Lace-in cut pattern on red oak hardwood during installation in Glen Laurel Clayton NC
The lace-in cuts are made at every doorway to weave new boards into the existing floor. Clean, tight cuts here are what make the seam disappear after sanding.
Herringbone hardwood installation in progress at fireplace hearth in Glen Laurel Clayton NC
Laying out the herringbone field at the fireplace hearth. Each piece has to be cut and fit individually so the pattern tracks consistently toward the straight-run field.
Herringbone red oak pattern at fireplace partially laid during installation in Glen Laurel Clayton NC
Herringbone fill progressing outward from the hearth center. The unfinished wood shows how tight the miters fit before any sanding.
Large living room red oak hardwood floor sanding in progress in Glen Laurel Clayton NC
Belt sanding the main level to a single flat plane. Getting the new installation and existing boards to the same height is the critical step before finish work.
Water popping and hardwax oil application on red oak floors in family room Glen Laurel Clayton NC
Water-popped stain preparation opens the grain before the hardwax oil goes down. The wet surface shows how the natural tone reads immediately after application.

After

Finished red oak herringbone pattern at fireplace hearth with natural hardwax oil in Glen Laurel Clayton NC
The completed herringbone hearth. The pattern transitions cleanly into the straight-run field on either side with no visible seam.
Finished red oak hardwood floors with natural hardwax oil in living room Glen Laurel Clayton NC
Living room after. The natural hardwax oil brings out the grain without adding any amber or build-up. The floor reads clean and warm at the same time.
Wide view of finished red oak hardwood floors with natural hardwax oil across main level Glen Laurel Clayton NC
Wide view across the main level. The lace-in is invisible. New and existing floor read as one continuous surface from the family room through to the entry.
Red oak hardwood floors with natural hardwax oil finish in foyer and staircase Glen Laurel Clayton NC
Foyer and staircase landing. The hardwax oil finish holds up well to the traffic at every entry point.
Open floor plan with finished red oak hardwood floors natural hardwax oil Glen Laurel Clayton NC
The open-plan main level showing the full scope of the project. Kitchen, dining, living, and family room all on one continuous floor.
Red oak hardwood floors with natural hardwax oil finish in dining room with wainscoting Glen Laurel Clayton NC
Dining room with wainscoting. The matte hardwax oil finish complements the painted millwork without competing.

Products Used on This Project

Natura OneCoat hardwax oilBona belt and orbital sandersMoisture barrier

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