How do you repair hardwood floors after taking out walls? I want to take out a wall to open up my living space, but I don't want to redo or replace the existing flooring--it's not rare and important, but it is over 50 years old and in good shape. Can you patch the floor and make it look okay? The flooring runs perpendicular to the wall I want take out.

Amy O. Richmond, VA

Amy,

I am reminded of a bit from The Honeymooners (I'm not that old, but we did have re-runs)... "Hire a doctor... Hire a lawyer...!" Actually, now, I'm not sure what that has to do with this, but it was indeed funny!

OK, back to business. The most problematic part here, is that the flooring runs perpendicular to the walls. If parallel, it would suggest a simpler, and likely better-blending patch. Most hardwood having some color / grain variation, a good selection of matching "infill" wood and careful hand-finishing precisely to a joint may work.

In your case of opposing wall and wood flooring direction, you have a couple of choices for a patch.

1) "Tooth-in" the patch, fitting-in pieces of various lengths in the same direction as existing. Even with the most careful, professional hand-finish on such a patch, it will prove next-to-impossible to make a great, blending patch that won't "jump up and bite" the aesthetically-particular homeowner. Typically, the recipe for such to disappear includes refinishing the adjacent flooring.

2) Fit in a transverse-direction flush patch. This would be similar to a threshold, but it is fitted tight and flush (in the same flat plane) with the existing floor. Yes, this will be visible as the grain runs perpendicular to existing, but it appears intentional and - when well-executed - can be a beautiful thing. Here again, selecting a good color / grain match for the wood patch, and careful hand-finish is of utmost importance to a great outcome. I have attached a picture for your reference.

Either of these approaches would definitely be "pro" jobs, assuming that your interest is higher-caliber craftsmanship. "Hire a carpenter... Hire a floor finisher...!"

Mason

---