xyz99 - At the bottom of this post, I attached a link where you can see my posting from Sept.2009 and several pics of our floor. Red oak natural is a lot lighter than Amendoim. I also think there is more color variation in Amendoim compared to red oak natural. I like the color variation in the Amendoim, it is a very warm, rich and beautiful wood. I did hear or read somewhere that Amendoim may darken a little (not as much as cherry wood) as it ages which is not a negative thing. Some samples at different flooring stores may look different because of the age and due to it's natural variations. Below is a picture of 3 samples of wood we were considering. The one on the left is the BR111 Amendoim. The upper right sample is Lauzon's Hickory. Lower right is Lauzon's Red Oak Natural (select & better). Every time I look at that picture, I remember how hard it was to choose! Whatever wood you decide on, I bet you will be so pleased. All wood types are beautiful in their own way : ) -Laurie Here is a link that might be useful: My post from Sept. 2009

Thank you Flash407 for bumping this thread back to page 1. Now I've got it bookmarked. One of those things I meant to read but didn't get around to. What a lot of good info. This is better than epinions! :) Have to say I too am sorry about spending $400 on a Dyson, (EVERY time I use it!) for a number of reasons. Strong suction but it ends there. However, mine is not a 'ball', so maybe that one is different. Considered the Roomba, and from what you're all saying it really does sound great, still not sure about the cat reaction though??? The other name coming up again and again seems to be *Miele*. Particularly for the canister vacs for hardwood and kitchens? (The backpack sounds cool but unfortunately my 'back' is beyond that :) Have to go check these Mieles out. Anything has to be better than lugging that Dyson around OR trying to use it's attachments. Speaking of smells...you're all lucky not to live in eastern PA. A new invasive species arrived in a cargo container in 2000, according to Rutgers Univ. in Allentown PA, called the Brown marmorated Stink Bug. They got to my area (just north of Philadelphia) a couple years ago and it's a war zone! Vacumm one of these things and the smell (an oil they can spray) will be everywhere plus in the vacuum itself for days. :(

OK...so the order is straight for me. Your GC is your hire. Excellent. That means the GC must keep in contact with you during the fixes to all of these oopsas. When working with a 2 part finish it is NEARLY impossible to mix a small batch AND create the same gloss level. The PERFECTION is in the milliliter range. Yes. If you mix 100ml TOTAL you need to be at a level of perfection that only an Insulin syringe can create. Yes. The sheen is THAT sensitive. Sad to say but the floor plate 'cure' was worse than the disease. Once the floor plate was put back on the slightly darker area would have been completely covered. Now the gloss level around the floor plate has a very different sheen. The only fix to this is to do a buff and coat (add one more coat to the ENTIRE floor in that area.

Ha! I was about to suggest the Loba 2K Supra AT! Snicker! I was also going to suggest the UV Protect additive to STOP the maple from turning yellow (which maple does...quite happily). They are copping out. I've sold Loba 2K Supra AT (satin is nice as low gloss...if you want a bit of sheen you will work with the semi-gloss). I'm a HUGE fan. I've used it on CORK...and it does EXTREMEMLY well against dogs' nails. Cork is the softest hardwood in the world...if the 2K Supra AT works on cork it will be AWESOME on Maple. Traditionally an oil based finish, with THREE coats, is one of the toughest finishes on the market. But you'll notice there is a caveat = 3 coats is a must! If your oil based finish is looking beaten up, I'm going to take an educated guess - they only used 2 coats (saves time and money!). Now for the stuff about Loba 2K Supra AT = very expensive. It retails for $195 - $225 USD. Yep. It is EXPENSIVE. And GUESS who has to take on that expense - before they get paid? The refinishers. If you assume a 'good' oil based polyurethane retails for $80/gallon, you can see why they are trying to push back on this item. I personally would look at using the combination: 1. UV Protect Additive ($60 - $80/container = enough for 1 gallon) for the first coat of, 2. Loba 2K Supra AT Gloss (assume $200/gallon = 525sf of coverage): 1st coat 3. Loba 2K Supra AT Gloss (assume $200/gallon = 550sf of coverage): 2nd coat 4. Loba 2K Supra AT "Your choice of sheen" (assume $200/gallon = 600sf of coverage): 3rd coat Just the materials alone will increase their bid by $1.50/sf. Tell them you are willing to pay the upcharge for the materials. You understand the Loba 2K Supra AT is expensive and you are more than willing to pay the extra. That should calm their feathers. But be aware: Loba is HIGHLY sensitive to LOW temps. And by low, they mean +45 F or lower (5C or lower). Getting hold of some in the winter is like hunting for Leprechauns....unless you live close enough to N.C. that you can drive to the factory.