Hardwood Floor Repair & Refinishing in Darien Red Oak

A dining-room leak had lifted and cupped boards. We cut out the swollen section, checked the subfloor for flatness, and installed new red oak to match the existing width and grade. Joints were feathered so the repair disappears after finishing. Rooms were protected, baseboards masked, dust collection set up, and the floor got a thorough vacuum so nothing interfered with stain or finish.

To make the repair truly blend, the entire first floor was sanded. We moved from coarse (36–40 grit to flatten and remove the old finish), through medium (60–80), and finished at fine (100–120) for a smooth, even base. Perimeters and transitions were handled with an edger and blended so you don’t see room lines. Final vacuum and a tack-wipe pulled the last fine dust before color.

Provincial was the target tone to tie rooms together. We confirmed it on a test spot under consistent light, then applied in controlled sections and wiped back evenly to avoid lap marks or blotches. Where a deeper tone was needed, a second pass was done after the first tacked. Dry time followed product guidelines so the color set up cleanly across the whole floor.

For durable protection with a classic satin sheen, we used Loba 2K Duo. Components were mixed precisely. The first coat set adhesion; after the right flash time, we did a light intercoat abrasion (220–240 grit / maroon pad) to knock down tiny nibs, then cleaned the surface dust-free. Final coats were built to coverage. Light foot traffic waited until initial cure; full load and rugs followed manufacturer timing. The result is a low-glare, durable surface that stands up to daily use.