Hardwood Floor Sanding Marks, Tack Strip and staple hole filling
My 56-year-old home hardwood floors had carpet removed and the red oak floors were sanded bare and refinished. I have a few questions based on the refinisher’s recommendation and comments.
1. The attached photos are the finished product and appear to be sanding marks. The refinisher said the marks are part of the wood.
2. The refinisher did not fill holes from the tack strips or staple holes, nor did he fill the gaps between planks. He indicated he can fill the tack strip holes with some type of wax. However, he indicated he does not recommend filling the gaps because the filler may break loose over time. He did not mention the many staple holes in his response. I originally requested all holes and gaps be filled. I assumed polyurethane would be over the wood-filler filled holes and gaps.
Please let me know what you think. Thanks in advance for your input
Replies
Those are not sanding marks but part of the oak. Your finisher did a very nice job. Do not fill between the planks the oak will shrink and swell depending on the weather and humidity and his recommendation of wax to fill the tack holes is correct.
Definitely do not put filler in the gaps. My floor guys did that without asking, and it looks awful. It’s lighter than the stain and it’s cracking and coming out.
The "marks" on (actually in) the wood are called ray fleck. They're a feature of certain species of wood, especially oak. In my experience they're considered rather desirable in many cases, partly because they're mostly visible when the wood is quartersawn and therefore is less subject to drastic changes from temperature and humidity. But mostly because it looks cool. Not for every application, of course--sometimes it can look a little busy or ostentatious. It's often associated with the Arts and Crafts style.
Thanks for the education. Just goes to show you learn something new everyday
Thank you all for your helpful feedback. The information is very helpful.