Reviving a 70-Year-Old Red Oak Masterpiece in Rose Park, North Salt Lake, Utah

Our recent Rose Park hardwood floor Sand & Refinish Revival in North Salt Lake, Utah! Revive Your Floors & Rediscover Your Home with The Hardwood Flooring Pros!

At The Hardwood Flooring Pros, we live for transformations that tell a story. Our most recent project took us to Rose Park in North Salt Lake, where we had the privilege of breathing new life into a 70-year-old Red Oak hardwood floor — a piece of Utah history hiding under decades of neglect. See more about the benefits of Hardwood Floor Refinishing!

This home was built in 1955, during an exciting time in Salt Lake City’s growth. The Capitol Theatre was hosting big-name performances, the first section of I-15 was under construction, and the Rose Park neighborhood was buzzing with new families moving in. Back then, red oak strip flooring was a mark of quality — durable, beautiful, and meant to last generations. Fast forward seven decades, and these floors had survived everything from the shag-carpet craze of the 1970s to the heavy furniture and foot traffic of modern life. View some of our Before and After projects in our Gallery!

Our client had recently removed old carpet and discovered the original 2-inch wide, ½-inch thick red oak boards beneath. At first, they considered covering them with LVP (luxury vinyl plank) — but we explained why restoring authentic hardwood would not only preserve the home’s character but also increase its value. They agreed, and the real work began.

Every project we take on follows our 8-step Hardwood Floor Refinishing Rrocess, designed for maximum beauty, durability, and longevity:

1. Rough Sanding – 60 Grit Ceramic Abrasives
   We began by removing decades of wear, scratches, and embedded dirt using 60-grit ceramic abrasives. This step exposes the raw wood, erasing years of damage.
2. Intermediate Sanding – 80 Grit Ceramic Abrasives
   This smooths out the deep cut marks from the first pass and prepares the floor for filler application.
3. Hand-Troweled Wood Fill – Gap & Seam Perfection
   We spread high-quality wood filler across the entire surface to fill every gap, crack, and seam. This not only improves aesthetics but prevents dirt and moisture from getting between boards.
4. Final Sand – 100 Grit Silicon Carbide
   This ultra-fine sanding step gives the floor a silky-smooth finish, perfect for staining.
5. Water Popping – Enhancing Grain & Stain Depth
   By lightly misting the floor with water, the wood grain “pops,” opening up for richer, more even stain penetration.
6. Custom Stain – Bona DriFast in Medium Brown
   We applied one coat of Bona DriFast Stain in Medium Brown, creating a warm, timeless look that complements any décor.
7. First Coat Finish – Pallmann Pall-X Power Satin
   This commercial-grade finish provides exceptional durability while highlighting the natural beauty of red oak.
8. Intercoat Abrasion & Final Finish Coat
   We buffed the first coat with 220-grit aluminum oxide abrasives for superior adhesion, then applied the final coat of Pallmann Pall-X Power Satin for a flawless, lasting sheen.

When we revealed the finished floors, the transformation was jaw-dropping. The rich, medium-brown stain brought out the natural beauty of the red oak grain, while the satin sheen added warmth without glare. Our client’s exact words in their 5-star Google Review:

“Bryce was so amazing! We will definitely be using him for our floor needs in the future. Bryce was prompt, efficient, and respectful. He took the time to explain the process and ensure I was completely happy with every step. The quality of the craftsmanship is outstanding, and the finished result is absolutely stunning.” Read more 5-Star Google Reviews!

• Specialists in hardwood floor refinishing, installation, and repair
• 5+ years of experience with red oak, white oak, maple, walnut, and more
• Eco-friendly products that are safe for your family and pets
• Local expertise – we understand Utah’s unique climate and how it affects hardwood floors

Whether you’re in Rose Park, Park City, Capitol Hill, Sugar House, The Avenues, or anywhere in Salt Lake, Summit, or Utah County, we bring unmatched craftsmanship to every project. View our Service Areas here!

Contact The Hardwood Flooring Pros today to schedule your free in-home consultation. Call 801-623-6615 or visit www.thehardwoodflooringpros.com to book your appointment online.