The Holbrook House

I wanted to finish the floors in the house myself but after much debate honestly we needed to move in and I could not take the time off to work on them like I did at our cottage. They were in good physical condition but had gone so long without work they needed to be drum sanded. I was very concerned about any sanding to maintain the life of the floors. In the future (one day when they need to be done again) the polyurethane can be sanded using a buffer to only remove the layer of poly coating for refinishing so that we wont have to remove a fraction of an inch of wood next time. But to accomplish this you need to take care of them once the poly starts to wear through they need to be addressed then before the wood beneath is worn. These floors had gone so very long under carpet that the pads had left more than superficial waffle marks from being under carpet since 1973.

We got quotes on the first and second floors and ultimately decided to go with only the first floor. This was because we were storing our furniture and belongings on the second floor already and we planned to adjust the floor plan on the second floor. to allow master suite. So there was no sense in finishing a bedroom that may serve as a future bathroom. We also had rooms that would get combined and I would need to feather in new maple and finish so its better to fully complete the renovation work and then finish 2nd floor.

The team got started and first all the tack  strip and nails were pulled. The floors were sanded and then edged. It was amazing to see how white sanded maple is and regretfully yellow once re-coated with poly.

The staircase we finished and sanded the cherry treads and stained the maple on the landing to match.

The poly we started with was a semi-gloss and much debate around this choice as ultimately one late night I came to see the progress and I felt like the floors turned into a mirror or what I was calling a swimming pool effect. The good news is the last coat we were able to lay  a satin finish and sure enough this really is the only choice for this house. Semi-gloss is VERY shinny and makes the floors look very standout compared to the old shellac finish of the other woodwork. This shiny effect made it look like it was finished in the 80’s or like a gym floor in school.

The satin is plenty of sheen and more respectful to the character of the home. The Mills (previous family) said that they were done with wax in those days before poly. I like that idea but the floors needed to be recovered from the carpet and with poly they will last longer between finishes. Again next time I hope to use a buffer and NOT a drum sander to maintain the finish.

We waited the necessary days and a few extra before moving the furniture back. What furniture we have that is.. Mia our dog’s nails however even after keeping her away has left marks all over. I have just given up as one day when she is gone I will cherish all those little marks, like the marks of the dog before her.

I had found old wear from nail marks on the windows and doors particularly the staircase landing, the side door window, and master bedroom door. When mom comes home Mia runs to these same various windows and puts her paws in the very same places making her not the first.

 

When metal detecting in the back yard we found a dog tag from 1959!

After speaking to Linda Mills on her first visit back home since the 70’s she kindly shared that it was indeed here families dog and the circle was completed when she sent me a picture.

Let me say those steps have not changed a bit and thats were I tie Mia with the rope I found there and that tag was pulled up within 6 feet of these back steps.