12th And Oak Floor Co.
Finished red oak floors with DuraSeal Provincial stain and Bona Mega One in Downtown Knightdale NC, living room with original brick fireplace
Refinishing

Hidden Gem: Old Red Oak Refinished with DuraSeal Provincial in Downtown Knightdale

Old red oak floors in a Downtown Knightdale home, partially hidden under carpet for years, repaired, sanded, and finished with DuraSeal Provincial. The character in this old wood turned out to be the best thing in the house.

Species

Red Oak

Finish

DuraSeal Provincial + Bona IntenseSeal + Bona Mega One

Completed

2024

The Challenge

This older Downtown Knightdale home had sections of its original red oak covered by carpet for years, leaving uneven wear and color across the floor. The closet had sustained damage requiring repair before anything else could proceed. Nail holes, gaps, and surface damage throughout the kitchen needed to be puttied and prepped. Nobody knew what the floors actually looked like under everything until the work began.

What We Did

Closet repairs completed first to address the structural damage. Nail holes and gaps puttied throughout, with extra attention to the kitchen. The entire floor was sanded with the Lagler Hummel on the field and the Lagler Flip on edges and corners, bringing every room back to clean bare wood. DuraSeal Provincial was chosen to enhance the natural warmth and open grain of the old red oak without going too dark. Bona IntenseSeal locked in the stain, and Bona Mega One delivered the finish. The grain and character that had been hidden under carpet for years turned out to be exceptional.

Before

Damaged closet floor with debris and deteriorated wood before repair in Downtown Knightdale NC
The closet floor before repairs. Debris, deterioration, and damage that needed to be addressed before sanding could begin anywhere in the house.

During

Wood putty repairs at doorway threshold on red oak floor during refinishing prep in Knightdale NC
Putty applied at the doorway threshold and throughout the repair areas. Nail holes and gaps filled before sanding so everything levels flat and takes stain evenly.
Red oak floor sanded bare in living room during refinishing in Downtown Knightdale NC, sanding equipment visible
Living room sanded back to bare wood. The front door is open for ventilation. Every repair area, nail hole, and carpet-covered section is now on the same bare plane.
Red oak floor sanded bare in kitchen during refinishing in Knightdale NC, open plan kitchen and living area
Kitchen and open living area sanded. The floor that had been partially covered by carpet and partially exposed now reads as one continuous bare surface ready for stain.
Lagler Hummel drum sander and equipment during field sanding of red oak floors in Knightdale NC
The Lagler Hummel on the field with dust collection running. Full room sanding in progress, bringing the old red oak back to clean bare wood across the entire main level.

After

Finished closet floor with DuraSeal Provincial stain after repair and refinishing in Knightdale NC
The closet that started with the most damage. Repaired, sanded, and finished with DuraSeal Provincial. The same color and sheen as every other room in the house.
Finished red oak bedroom floor with DuraSeal Provincial stain and Bona Mega One in Knightdale NC
Bedroom floor finished. DuraSeal Provincial deepens the natural red oak tone without going dark, letting the grain and character of the old wood show through.
Close-up of finished red oak grain with DuraSeal Provincial stain showing wood character in Downtown Knightdale NC
Close-up of the finished grain. Old red oak has a depth and open-pore character that newer flooring cannot replicate. Provincial stain brings that out rather than covering it up.
Finished red oak floors with DuraSeal Provincial in living room with original brick fireplace in Knightdale NC
The living room with the original brick fireplace. The warm tone of Provincial stain pairs with the brick and the older character of the house in a way a gray or dark stain never would.
Wide view of finished red oak floors in kitchen and living room with DuraSeal Provincial in Downtown Knightdale NC
Kitchen and living room from the connecting doorway. The floor that had carpet in sections and visible wear everywhere now reads as one continuous, consistent surface throughout.
Finished red oak kitchen floor with DuraSeal Provincial stain and Bona Mega One, white cabinets and stainless appliances in Knightdale NC
Kitchen floor finished. Provincial stain running through the kitchen alongside white cabinets and stainless appliances. The old red oak holds its own in a modern kitchen setting.
Wide angle grain detail of finished old red oak floors with DuraSeal Provincial stain in Downtown Knightdale NC
The grain and figure in this old red oak. Years under carpet kept it from wear but also kept anyone from seeing what was there. It turned out to be the best feature in the house.

Products Used on This Project

DuraSeal Provincial StainBona IntenseSealBona Mega One

Explore Further

Hardwood Floor Refinishing with Repair in Knightdale, NCHardwood Flooring in Knightdale, NCAll Projects

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