CDS Hardwood Floors
Historic Hardwood Floor Restoration in MD, VA & DC
Quick Answer
Hardwood floor restoration is the specialty work of returning heavily damaged or historic wood floors — often 50 to 100+ years old — to structural soundness and beauty without destroying their original character.
Restoration is refinishing's more delicate cousin. It's what we do in a Georgetown rowhouse with original 1890s heart pine, or a Chevy Chase colonial with 1930s quarter-sawn oak that's been under carpet for 40 years.
The work often involves careful board replacement with era-appropriate lumber, deep scratch and gouge fills, addressing decades of pet stains and water damage, and applying finishes that respect the original patina.
Key Takeaways
- Not every historic floor can be sanded — we assess wear-layer thickness first
- Hard-wax oils often match historic character better than waterborne
- Restoration is a conversation, not a formula
Benefits
- • Preserve irreplaceable historic material
- • Increase home value dramatically in historic districts
- • Retain character (era-appropriate saw marks, mineral streaks, patina) that new floors can't replicate
Our Process
1. Historic assessment
Identify species, cut, era and structural condition.
2. Selective repair
Source matching salvage lumber for board replacements.
3. Careful sanding
Preserve as much original material as possible — many historic floors have been sanded too many times already.
4. Finish selection
Oil-modified or hard-wax oil finishes often match original character better than modern waterborne.
Ready to talk about your project?
Materials We Use
- • Reclaimed and salvage lumber matching original stock
- • Rubio Monocoat and hard-wax oil finishes for authentic look
- • Traditional shellac restoration on request
What to Expect
- • Longer timelines than modern refinishing (1–2+ weeks common)
- • Ongoing dialogue about how much original character to preserve vs correct
What Affects Pricing
We don't publish flat pricing — every home is different. These are the factors we weigh in your written estimate:
- • Extent of board replacement required
- • Availability of matching salvage material
- • Finish selection
Common Problems & How We Solve Them
Floor is too thin to sand
We can screen and refinish, or replace worst boards and blend.
Original nails create black stains
Oxalic acid treatment before finish neutralizes iron staining.
Maintenance Tips
- • Historic floors deserve extra care — humidity control matters more, and cleaners must be compatible with the finish selected.
Warranty & Guarantee
All CDS craftsmanship is backed by our workmanship guarantee. Manufacturer finish warranties are transferred to you in full.
Why Choose CDS Hardwood Floors
Family-owned, licensed (MHIC #141267), fully insured and bonded, with 15+ years serving Maryland, Virginia, DC, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Our craftsmanship has earned us landmark commercial work (including DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, DC) alongside thousands of luxury residential projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does hardwood floor restoration take in a typical home?
Most residential projects are completed within 3–7 working days, depending on square footage, drying times and any repairs required. We provide a firm timeline in your written estimate.
Do I need to move out during hardwood floor restoration?
In most cases, no. Our dustless equipment keeps the home habitable, though we recommend staying off finished areas for 24–72 hours to let the finish cure.
Can I schedule a consultation?
Yes. Every hardwood floor restoration project starts with a free on-site consultation and a detailed written quote, usually delivered within 24 hours.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. CDS Hardwood Floors is a Maryland-licensed contractor (MHIC #141267), fully insured and bonded for your protection.
Related Services
Hardwood Floor Refinishing
Hardwood floor refinishing is the process of sanding off the existing finish and top surface of your wood floor, then applying new stain and 2–3 coats of protective finish — restoring worn floors to like-new condition.
Hardwood Floor Repair
Hardwood floor repair covers board replacement, gap filling, buckle remediation, squeak elimination and localized damage repair — often blended in seamlessly with the surrounding floor.
Custom Hardwood Projects
From matching a 100-year-old floor to fabricating a herringbone entry with contrasting-species borders, CDS handles the one-off requests other flooring companies decline.