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Remodeling Flooring Design Dilemma

Patch of miss-matched hardwood

last month

last modified: 27 days ago

We moved into a place where the cherrywood floors were previously refinished and stained grey. (We were told it took two passes of sanding and two passes of bleach, plus stain, to get to the current grey color.) We've removed the island and now there is a patch of the previous floor. See picture. The rest of the hardwood throughout all the rooms on this floor is the grey color; the patch of red-ish floor was under the island.

I knew that refinishing just the red-ish patch of original floor to match the new grey was a long shot. We've had two flooring folks come in and they both said that it wouldn't be possible to refinish and match just the patched area. As I'd like to avoid having to re-finish and stain ALL the floor just to get things to match, any brilliant or creative ideas on what we can do with this mis-matched patch of hardwood floor?

Featured Answer

s_mil
Original Author

27 days ago

last modified: 27 days ago

This is how we eventually addressed the patch of miss-matched hardwood...Tile Inlay!

Contractor cut into the hardwood (and did so with a really clean line!) and keep the subfloor. Added approximate .25" additional subfloor on top to ensure the top of the tile would be flush with the hardwood. Tile is 12x24 white polished porcelain, brick pattern. (The white circle is a floor outlet.)

Thanks to all who shared constructive ideas! Loved the creativity!

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Comments (10)

PRO
HALLETT & Co.
last month
Either put an island back to cover the damage or refinish the floors - all of them- to match. What other option would you entertain? Rug? No one will spot refinish a spot like that as it will never ever match.
elcieg
last month
last modified: last month
Kitchen runner...perfect. Do ruggable, as the backing will keep the rug in place. There are a lot of colors from which to choose.
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Solid floor is a plus. It's more likely you can remove some and reuse it. If you're looking to have the floor look like it flowed through the area originally, you'll have to stagger back the end joint. We stagger the ends an average of 2', so some will be 0', some will be 4' with the rest being in between with the end joints spaced at least 9" away from adjacent pieces. After the end joints are staggered back and you've removed the closet floor and pulled the nails, you'll need to fit each piece to be patched and remove the bottom of the groove so it will fit in between the rows of flooring. Where the tongues are exposed you can blind nail. Where they're not, use some carpenters wood glue or construction adhesive and top nail. Possible pitfalls: You can't tell if both sides are parallel until you remove the half wall. If it's skewed or misaligned, you'll have gaps after you patch. You will ruin some wood removing it from the closet. If your half wall is 3' long, you may need as much as 13 to 14 square feet of wood. If it's 8' long you could need 36 square feet. Shortening the stagger on the end joints will reduce the amount of wood needed but will make this look more like patch.
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Charlie - you are in the perfect situation to have the left over planks dropped in (laced as best as possible) and have a colour patch and finish applied. Do you have the name of the stain colour/maker and/or mix? If you do, that will be very helpful for the pro. You will also need the name of the finish used. It is possible the entire floor will need a full coat of finish applied simply because of a gloss difference. But again, that is much cheaper than a sand/refinish.
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PRO
Norwood Architects
last month
Am assuming this will be your kitchen. It's not usual but could you place a rug over the unrefinished patches?
PRO
G & S Floor Service
last month
You can, just spot fix it and live with the mismatch.
partim
last month
last modified: last month
Is there any refinished wood in a closet or other less-conspicuous spot that could be covered by a rug? Under the refrigerator or stove? Or take the wood from the foyer and use a different flooring there?
s_mil thanked partim
PRO
G & S Floor Service
last month
last modified: last month
You can refinish each individual board affected. Just be aware and willing to accept that it may still not be a perfect match.

No contractor wants to be on the hook for a mis-match spot fix and not get paid for a job. We know it's a setup for failure, if, the expectation is for a perfect match. That's why it is best to recommend to redo the entire floors, when there is stain involved., especially custom stain colors.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last month
Why do you not want an island maybe that is where this should start. Show us the new layout and maybe you culd get some matching floor from another space maybe a closet or an entry we have vry little info.
Lorraine Leroux
last month
Replace the floor that will be in the kitchen to compliment the remaining wood floor OR redo the whole floor so it all matches OR let someone attempt to match it with the intent that if it does not work you will go onto plan B or C.
dan1888
last month
Lucky for you. Grey flooring is no longer in fashion. That means you can refinish everything in a pale natural tone and be current.

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