Burbank Elite Hardwood Flooring
Burbank Elite Hardwood Flooring specializes in preserving and restoring historic hardwood floors throughout Burbank's established neighborhoods, where homes dating to the city's 1911 incorporation and subsequent development boom of the 1920s-1940s contain original hardwood installations representing craftsmanship and materials increasingly rare in contemporary construction. Located at 2418 W Victory Blvd, Burbank, CA 91506, the company brings twenty years of restoration expertise to projects requiring sensitivity to historical accuracy, respect for original materials, and technical proficiency with traditional installation methods while incorporating modern protective finishes and stabilization techniques that ensure preserved floors serve current occupants for decades to come.
Burbank's architectural heritage includes significant concentrations of Craftsman bungalows, Spanish Colonial Revival homes, and modest post-war ranch houses built during the city's rapid expansion from a population of 300 residents in 1908 when Burbank State Bank opened near Olive Avenue and San Fernando Boulevard, to today's population of approximately 105,833. These historic structures often feature original quarter-sawn oak flooring, vertical-grain fir, or narrow maple planks representing period-appropriate species and milling techniques. Quarter-sawn oak displays distinctive ray flake patterns created by sawing logs perpendicular to growth rings, producing dimensionally stable lumber prized in early 20th century construction. This specialized milling technique costs more than plain-sawn lumber but delivers superior stability and striking visual character that justifies premium pricing for historic preservation projects requiring authentic material matching.
The company's restoration process begins with comprehensive floor assessment documenting existing conditions, identifying damage requiring repair, evaluating structural concerns, and determining whether restoration remains economically feasible compared to complete replacement. Some severely damaged floors with extensive rot, termite damage, or structural failure may require complete replacement, but most historic floors benefit from professional restoration that preserves original character while modernizing performance. Assessment includes moisture content testing, structural stability evaluation, finish identification for proper removal and replacement, and photographic documentation establishing baseline conditions for insurance purposes and project planning.
Repairing damaged boards represents crucial restoration steps, with the company maintaining extensive inventory of reclaimed and reproduction lumber matching common historic species and dimensions. Individual board replacement requires careful extraction of damaged pieces without disturbing adjacent flooring, precise fitting of replacement boards, and skillful blending ensuring repairs become invisible once sanding and finishing complete. Face-nailing replacement boards sometimes becomes necessary when tongue-and-groove joinery prevents blind-nailing, with the company's craftsmen carefully countersinking and filling nail holes for imperceptible repairs. Historic floors sometimes feature unique board widths, thicknesses, or species no longer commercially available, requiring creative sourcing through architectural salvage dealers, specialty mills, or custom milling from reclaimed lumber.
Water damage represents common historic floor problems, particularly in areas near leaking roofs, plumbing failures, or foundation moisture infiltration. Water-damaged wood often displays dark staining, cupping or buckling, and soft fibers requiring board replacement. However, minor water staining sometimes sands out during refinishing, avoiding unnecessary board replacement while restoring attractive appearance. The company's experience distinguishes between cosmetic damage removable through sanding versus structural damage requiring board replacement, preventing unnecessary demolition of salvageable original material while ensuring structurally compromised sections receive proper repair.
Sanding historic floors requires specialized expertise and equipment sensitivity, as original flooring may have experienced multiple previous refinishing cycles that removed significant wood thickness. Modern drum sanders in inexperienced hands can remove excessive material in seconds, potentially exposing nail fasteners or creating uneven surfaces. The company's sanders understand appropriate grit progressions beginning with coarser abrasives to level uneven surfaces and remove old finish, progressing through finer grits achieving smooth surfaces ready for staining. Hand-scraping high spots, feathering board edges, and careful transition work where historic floors meet other materials all require practiced skill and attention to detail separating professional restoration from amateur attempts that damage irreplaceable original materials.
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