Hardwood Refinishing vs. Replacement: A Guide for Historic Wisconsin Homes
From the stately Victorian homes in Janesville to the historic waterfront cottages in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin is home to an incredible array of vintage architecture. Central to the charm of these historic properties is the original hardwood flooring. However, decades of foot traffic, fluctuating Midwest humidity, and general wear can leave these floors looking tired. At Macco’s, we often meet homeowners facing a difficult decision: is it better to refinish the existing wood or replace it entirely? Understanding the structural health of your floors is the first step in preserving the heritage of your home while ensuring a beautiful finish.
The Sanding Test: Assessing the Wear Layer
The most critical factor in deciding whether to refinish is the thickness of the remaining “wear layer.” Every time a hardwood floor is sanded and refinished, a small amount of the wood is removed to create a smooth surface.
Checking the Grooves
For traditional tongue-and-groove flooring, you must determine how much wood remains above the “tongue.” A professional at Macco’s can often check this by removing a floor vent or a piece of baseboard. If there is less than 1/8 of an inch of wood left above the tongue, another sanding could cause the wood to splinter or expose the nails. In many historic Wisconsin homes, if the floor has been refinished three or four times over the last century, it may simply be too thin for another restoration.
Structural Integrity and Damage Assessment
Beyond thickness, the physical condition of the planks matters. Wisconsin winters can be harsh on old wood, leading to deep gaps or warping.
When Repair Outpaces Restoration
Minor scratches and surface dullness are easily fixed with refinishing. However, if your Janesville home has experienced significant water damage, extensive termite history, or deep pet stains that have permeated the wood fibers, replacement may be the more cost-effective and hygienic choice. If more than 20% of the boards need to be replaced to match the original species and grain, the labor costs of “weaving in” new wood often exceed the price of a full replacement.
The Modern Advantage of Replacement
While we love the history of old wood, modern engineered hardwood offers benefits that historic solid wood cannot. If your subfloor is uneven or if you are dealing with a concrete slab, a new engineered floor provides the same look as solid wood but with much higher stability against the humidity shifts common in the Fox Valley.
Make the Right Choice with Macco’s
Whether you choose to restore your home’s history or start fresh with a modern material, Macco’s Floor Covering Center is here to guide you. We invite you to Contact us or visit us at any of our showroom locations in Green Bay WI, Sheboygan WI, Marinette WI, Appleton WI, Schofield WI, Sturgeon Bay WI, or Janesville WI. Our goal is to provide our customers with genuine old-fashioned family service backed with honesty and integrity. We create inspiration to express yourself with a distinguished collection of designer choices and flooring essentials to enhance any home décor, and competitive prices suitable to match any lifestyle. We’re proud to feature carpet, hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl, and tile flooring from all of your favorite brands!