Hardwood Refinish & LVP Installation in Nampa

The 1993 home had original red oak hardwood in the living and dining rooms that was heavily scratched, had dark water stains near the sliding door, and wore a dated golden oak stain. The rest of the home had worn carpet with visible traffic paths. The homeowners wanted to preserve the real hardwood where it existed but update its look, while replacing the carpet areas with something durable and waterproof. The challenge was making two different flooring materials — refinished hardwood and new LVP — look intentional and coordinated rather than mismatched.

We started with the hardwood refinish: sanded the existing red oak floors down to bare wood in three progressions (36, 60, 100 grit), treated the water stains with oxalic acid, and applied a modern gray-brown stain (Bona DTS 517) that transforms the red oak into a contemporary tone. Three coats of Bona Traffic HD water-based polyurethane provide a matte, durable finish. For the carpet areas, we selected a COREtec LVP in a color specifically chosen to complement the refinished hardwood — close enough in tone to feel cohesive but different enough in texture to read as an intentional design choice. Flush transition strips in brushed nickel bridge the two materials at doorways.

The entire home feels unified despite using two different flooring materials. Visitors regularly assume the hardwood and LVP are part of the same design plan. The refinished oak looks like an entirely different species compared to the old golden finish, and the LVP bedrooms are warmer and quieter than the old carpet without any of the maintenance issues. The homeowners saved thousands by refinishing rather than replacing the hardwood.