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From Just $3/sq ft
Owner-Led
Company
Serving Chicago & 30+ Suburbs
Repairs Before Refinishing
500+ Floors Completed
Big Bro Hardwood is an employee-owned hardwood flooring company serving Elmhurst and the surrounding suburbs. We install, sand, stain, refinish, and repair solid and engineered wood floors, starting around $3 a square foot. Over 17+ years and 500+ floors across the area, we have worked on all kinds of Elmhurst homes – bringing original oak strip floors back to life in pre-war bungalows and Craftsman houses near the historic core, and installing wider-plank engineered hardwood in the newer teardown builds that have reshaped so many Elmhurst neighborhoods.
Your project stays with the same small crew from the first measurement to the final coat – no rotating subcontractors, ever. We price everything line by line so you know exactly what you are paying for. Our vacuum-assisted sanding captures 95%+ of dust, and we finish with Bona and Loba products that are kid- and pet-safe once cured. Call us and we will have a free estimate to you within 24 hours.
Premium Results From $3/sq ft
Quality hardwood floors in Elmhurst don’t have to come with a steep price. Our refinishing services start at just $3, and installation pricing is always clear and itemized, line by line. New clients also receive 10% off. Not sure what your project might run? Use our hardwood floor cost calculator to get a quick, honest ballpark before we ever walk through your door.
On-Time, No-Stress Projects
We show up when we say we will, keep your home tidy, and talk to you throughout the job. No surprises, no handoffs to unfamiliar faces. The same small crew that starts your floors finishes your floors. From the first visit to the final coat, the entire process is straightforward and handled by people who take the work seriously.
Floor Condition and Moisture Come First
Elmhurst’s humid summers and dry winters put real stress on hardwood. Before we touch a board, we check subfloor flatness, moisture levels, and any existing damage underneath. That step matters whether we’re working in a century-old Victorian near the historic core or a newer teardown rebuild. Getting the conditions right from the start is what keeps floors stable and prevents gaps, cupping, and callbacks.
17+ Years of Hands-On Hardwood Experience
Since 2008, our crew has worked on 500+ hardwood projects across Elmhurst and nearby suburbs, covering everything from original oak strip floors in postwar bungalows to wide-plank engineered hardwood in new construction. That experience means we recognize problems early, choose the right approach for each floor, and bring real confidence to installations, refinishing, repairs, and stair work alike.
Dustless Sanding Technology
Our vacuum-assisted sanding systems capture 95% or more of dust at the source, so your home stays cleaner and the air stays breathable while we work. We also follow EPA Lead RRP protocols in pre-1978 homes, which are common throughout Elmhurst’s older neighborhoods. It’s a practical standard of care that protects your family and your home during the refinishing process.
Floors and Stairs Under One Scope
We handle installation, sanding and refinishing, staining, repair, and stair installation and refinishing as one coordinated scope. That means species, stain, and sheen can be matched across your floors and staircase by the same team, with no gaps in accountability. The finished result looks intentional and connected throughout your home.
From the historic bungalows near downtown to newer construction throughout Elmhurst, we handle every hardwood flooring project with the same experienced crew and careful attention to detail.
We’re a hardwood floor company based in the Elmhurst area, with 17+ years of hands-on experience in hardwood floor installation, floor refinishing, staining, and repair services. Our team is small, focused, and takes pride in doing every job right, from the first measurement to the final product.
We’ve completed 500+ Elmhurst-area projects across the city and the Chicagoland area, and we work closely with every client to make sure the results match their flooring needs — no shortcuts, no guesswork. Big Bro Hardwood wood flooring contractors adhere to the industry’s National Wood Flooring Association Technical Guidelines.
Our wood flooring company believes in clear communication, the best materials, and clean, quality work. More than 80% of our new clients come from satisfied customers who recommend us to family, friends, and neighbors — and we’re genuinely proud to earn that kind of trust.
17+ years
Of experience
500+
Hardwood floor projects completed
30+
Suburbs served
1 crew
No subcontractors - the owner is on every hardwood job
Donatas
Owner
Valdas
Team member
Slavek
Team member
Elmhurst's mix of Victorian-era houses, postwar bungalows, mid-century ranches, and newer teardown rebuilds each comes with its own subfloor situation, moisture history, and wood species - and the area's wide seasonal humidity swings make every one of those details matter.
1
Older Homes and Bungalows (Pre-1940)
Many of Elmhurst’s older Victorians, Craftsman homes, and brick bungalows still have their original strip oak or maple laid over wood plank subfloors above full basements. These floors are often worth saving. We sand them back with vacuum-assisted equipment, check for lead paint under old finish coatings (our crew is EPA Lead RRP certified for any pre-1978 home), and refinish them to look better than they have in decades.
2
Postwar Ranches and Split-Levels
The 1940s-1960s ranches and split-levels scattered through Elmhurst commonly have strip oak buried under layers of carpet or vinyl. Once we pull the covering and inspect the boards, we can usually sand and refinish what is already there rather than install anything new. We check subfloor flatness and moisture readings before we commit to a plan.
3
Additions, Rehabs, and Blended Floors
Room additions and kitchen rehabs often leave a visible seam where old oak meets new wood. We match species, grain direction, and stain tone as closely as the existing floor allows, and we feather the finish across the transition so the line disappears as much as possible.
4
Newer Construction and Teardown Rebuilds
Elmhurst has seen steady teardown and infill activity since the 1990s. These homes typically have engineered hardwood over plywood or OSB on poured-concrete basements. We verify subfloor flatness and moisture content before installation, and we carry wide-plank engineered options that fit the larger room proportions common in newer Elmhurst builds.
5
Seasonal Humidity and Year-Round Acclimation
Elmhurst winters are dry and cold; summers are warm and humid. That swing is hard on wood floors. We acclimate every delivery on site before installation, and we advise keeping indoor humidity between 30-50% year-round to prevent gapping in winter and swelling in summer. It is a simple habit that protects the investment long after we leave.
In many Elmhurst homes the original wood is worth saving rather than replacing - the only way to know for certain is to get eyes on the subfloor and the boards up close, which is exactly what we do during our free in-home estimate.
1
Call or send the form, tell us about your floors, and we’ll set a time to come look.
2
We measure, check the wood and subfloor, talk through color and options, and leave you an itemized estimate.
3
Our crew handles prep, sanding, install, stain, and finish on a dust-controlled setup, cleaning up daily.
4
We do a final walkthrough, go over care and timing, and stand behind the work.
This one speaks for itself. A homeowner in Elmhurst had a classic postwar ranch with original strip floors that had been under carpet for decades - boards were worn, scratched, and dull once we pulled it back. We sanded them down to bare wood, repaired the damaged sections, and refinished everything in place. Same floor, no replacement. Take a look at the before and after photos and judge the results for yourself.
Get a free in-home estimate within 24 hours. No pressure, no hidden costs — just honest advice and expert results, and no cutting corners.
Get a realistic budget range in about a minute for refinishing, new installation, replacing carpet with hardwood, or stairs. It’s a starting point, not a firm quote, and we confirm the exact figure with a free in-home estimate.
Choose what you'd like an estimate for
Not sure which one? Learn about wood types →
* This estimate is for budgeting purposes only. Actual pricing may vary based on site conditions, moisture levels, subfloor state, and access. A final quote requires an on-site inspection.
Not sure which one? Learn about wood types →
Red Oak $3–$7 / sq ft
White Oak $4–$10 / sq ft
Maple (clear coat) $4–$9 / sq ft
Maple (stained) $4–$9 / sq ft
Cherry $5–$12 / sq ft
Walnut $7–$15 / sq ft
Hickory $4–$10 / sq ft
Exotic / Other $8–$20 / sq ft
No removal needed
Remove carpet +$0.70–$1.60 / sq ft
Remove vinyl / linoleum +$1.00–$2.50 / sq ft
Remove tile +$1.50–$3.50 / sq ft
Subfloor leveling / repairs+$1.00–$3.00 / sq ft
Moisture barrier / underlayment+$0.70–$1.50 / sq ft
* This estimate is for budgeting purposes only. Actual pricing may vary based on site conditions, moisture levels, subfloor state, and access. A final quote requires an on-site inspection.
Not sure which one? Learn about wood types →
Red Oak $3–$7 / sq ft
White Oak $4–$10 / sq ft
Maple (clear coat) $4–$9 / sq ft
Maple (stained) $4–$9 / sq ft
Cherry $5–$12 / sq ft
Walnut $7–$15 / sq ft
Hickory $4–$10 / sq ft
Exotic / Other $8–$20 / sq ft
Subfloor leveling / repairs+$1.00–$3.00 / sq ft
Moisture barrier / underlayment+$0.70–$1.50 / sq ft
* This estimate is for budgeting purposes only. Actual pricing may vary based on site conditions, moisture levels, subfloor state, and access. A final quote requires an on-site inspection.
Donatas July 21, 2026
Donatas May 21, 2026
Donatas April 28, 2026
Yes, and it’s some of our favorite work. Many Elmhurst bungalows and Craftsman homes have original site-finished oak or maple that’s been under carpet for decades. We assess the board thickness, check for previous sanding, and test subfloor moisture before we touch anything. If there’s enough wood left, refinishing is almost always the better call – it preserves the character and costs far less than replacement. We’ve brought back floors that homeowners assumed were beyond saving.
It really does. Hardwood expands in summer humidity and contracts in winter dryness, and that seasonal swing in Elmhurst is significant. We acclimate every board on site before installation and follow NWFA guidelines on expansion gaps. We also recommend keeping indoor humidity between 30-50% year-round. A whole-home humidifier in winter makes a noticeable difference in preventing gaps and squeaks. We’ll walk you through moisture management at your free estimate.
Yes, but the approach changes. Nail-down solid hardwood isn’t suitable over concrete, so we’d look at glue-down solid or engineered hardwood depending on moisture readings and your goals. We always check subfloor flatness and moisture levels before recommending anything. Engineered hardwood over slab is a popular and durable choice in Elmhurst additions and finished basement areas. We’ll tell you exactly what will work and why – no guessing.
Not a problem, but it does require extra care. Older finishes and some adhesives in pre-1978 homes can contain lead. We follow EPA Lead RRP protocols, which means proper containment, HEPA-filtered equipment, and post-work verification. We’re trained and equipped for this – it’s routine for us in Elmhurst’s older neighborhoods. You don’t need to track down a specialist; we handle it as part of the refinishing process.
Refinishing starts at $3 per square foot, and we offer flat-rate pricing for homes under 1,200 square feet. Every estimate is itemized line by line so you know exactly what you’re paying for. New clients also receive 10% off. For a quick ballpark before we visit, try our cost calculator. We provide free in-home estimates within 24 hours – that’s always the best way to get an accurate number for your specific floors.
We look at board thickness, the number of prior sandings, structural condition, and how well the wood matches the rest of your home. Most floors in Elmhurst can be refinished successfully, and it’s almost always more cost-effective than replacement. Replacement makes sense when boards are cupped beyond repair, too thin to sand again, or significantly damaged by water. We give you an honest recommendation at the estimate – we don’t push the more expensive option.
Refinishing a typical room takes one to three days including dry time between coats. Installation timelines vary by square footage and subfloor prep needed. You don’t have to leave entirely, but the finished areas need to stay off-limits for 24-48 hours after the final coat. Our vacuum-assisted sanding captures 95%+ of dust, so the rest of your home stays livable. We’ll give you a clear daily schedule before we start.
We use Bona and Loba as our primary finishes, with Pallmann and DuraSeal available depending on the project. All are low-VOC formulas. Once fully cured, they’re safe for kids and pets – no harsh off-gassing lingering in your home. Cure time is typically 24-72 hours depending on the product and conditions. We’ll tell you exactly when it’s safe to move furniture back and let the dog run again.
Tell us what you need — we’ll help you figure out the best way to get it done.
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