CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS

WHITE OAK & MAPLE HARDWOOD REFINISHING

A two-level Cambridge hardwood flooring project featuring professional refinishing of 2¼-inch white oak upstairs and 3¼-inch maple downstairs, finished with Bona IntenseSeal and a durable satin ceramic protective system.

PROJECT LOCATION

CAMBRIDGE, MA

Residential hardwood refinishing project completed in Cambridge.

UPSTAIRS FLOORING

2¼-INCH WHITE OAK

Existing white oak flooring professionally sanded and refinished.

DOWNSTAIRS FLOORING

3¼-INCH MAPLE

Existing maple flooring restored across the lower level.

FINISH SYSTEM

INTENSESEAL + SATIN CERAMIC

Natural wood enhancement followed by a durable satin finish.

Finished hardwood floor in a bright Cambridge attic room with a skylight and built-in shelves COMPLETED BY ACCOLADE FLOORING
PROJECT OVERVIEW

TWO WOOD SPECIES. ONE COHESIVE FINISHED HOME.

This Cambridge project included hardwood refinishing on two levels of the home. The upstairs featured 2¼-inch white oak, while the downstairs featured 3¼-inch maple. Each species has its own grain, color and sanding response, so the work was planned to respect the character of both floors while creating a consistent overall result.

Accolade Flooring completed the sanding and surface preparation, used Bona IntenseSeal to enhance the natural appearance of the wood and applied a durable satin ceramic finish system. The completed floors retained the distinction between white oak and maple while feeling connected throughout the property.

  • 2¼-inch white oak refinishing
  • 3¼-inch maple refinishing
  • Professional sanding and edge work
  • Bona IntenseSeal application
  • Upper- and lower-level coordination
  • Satin ceramic protective finish
TRANSFORMATIONS & BEFORE DETAILS

BEFORE CONDITIONS & THE FINISHED RESULT.

Compare matched views of the teal room, staircase and main maple living area before and after refinishing. Each pairing highlights the renewed wood, consistent finish and carefully preserved floor details.

Cambridge hardwood floor in the teal room before refinishing BEFORE
Cambridge hardwood floor in the teal room after refinishing AFTER
TRANSFORMATION 01

TEAL ROOM FLOOR TRANSFORMATION

The same room and viewing angle show the floor before refinishing and after its richer, renewed finish was applied.

Cambridge hardwood stair landing before refinishing BEFORE
Cambridge hardwood stair landing after refinishing AFTER
TRANSFORMATION 02

STAIR LANDING TRANSFORMATION

Closely matched overhead views highlight the renewed landing, angled boards and stair treads after refinishing.

Cambridge hardwood staircase before refinishing BEFORE
Cambridge hardwood staircase after refinishing AFTER
TRANSFORMATION 03

FULL STAIRCASE TRANSFORMATION

The upper-level views show the stair treads and landing before work and after the finished wood was restored.

Cambridge maple living room floor before refinishing, wide view BEFORE
Cambridge maple living room floor after refinishing, wide view AFTER
TRANSFORMATION 04

MAIN LIVING AREA TRANSFORMATION

Matched wide views show how refinishing renewed the expansive maple floor while preserving the room’s distinctive border design.

Cambridge maple floor and decorative border before refinishing BEFORE
Cambridge maple floor and decorative border after refinishing AFTER
TRANSFORMATION 05

MAPLE FLOOR & DECORATIVE BORDER

This closer comparison highlights the maple boards and dark inlaid border before refinishing and in the completed satin result.

PROJECT MATERIALS

SELECTED TO ENHANCE THE NATURAL WOOD.

The system was selected to bring clarity and depth back to both species without forcing them to look identical. White oak and maple naturally respond differently, so the finished result preserves the individual grain and tone of each floor.

UPSTAIRS WOOD

2¼-INCH WHITE OAK

Existing upper-level hardwood professionally sanded and refinished.

DOWNSTAIRS WOOD

3¼-INCH MAPLE

Existing lower-level maple restored with careful surface preparation.

SEALER

BONA INTENSESEAL

Used to enhance the natural appearance and depth of the wood.

FINISH APPEARANCE

SATIN CERAMIC

A durable protective finish with a balanced satin appearance.

HOW THE PROJECT CAME TOGETHER

FROM PREPARATION TO THE FINISHED FLOOR.

01

EVALUATION

Both levels were reviewed to identify the white oak, maple, existing wear and project-specific preparation needs.

02

PREPARATION

Rooms, edges and transition areas were prepared before the sanding and finishing stages began.

03

SANDING

The existing finish and surface wear were removed using a professional sanding sequence appropriate for each wood species.

04

SEALING

Bona IntenseSeal was applied to enhance the natural tone and grain of the white oak and maple.

05

PROTECTION

A durable satin ceramic finish system completed and protected the refinished surfaces.

CAMBRIDGE PROJECT VIDEO

FROM WORN FLOORING TO A REFINED FINISHED SURFACE.

Watch a behind-the-scenes view of the Cambridge floor transformation, including work in the large room with built-in shelving and its decorative hardwood border.

PROJECT SHORT

FULL FLOOR TRANSFORMATION

See the professional refinishing process that renewed the hardwood and completed the room’s satin finish.

COMPLETED RESULT

TWO DISTINCT WOODS. ONE RENEWED HOME.

The completed project restored the white oak upstairs and maple downstairs without hiding the natural differences between the two species. The sealing and satin ceramic finish system created a cleaner, renewed appearance and durable protection across both levels.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT

This Cambridge project demonstrates how two different hardwood species can be refinished within one home while preserving the character of each floor and maintaining a connected overall result.

PROJECT QUESTIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED FLOORING QUESTIONS.

Can white oak and maple be refinished in the same project?
Yes. Each species may respond differently to sanding, sealer and finish, so the process should account for the characteristics of both floors rather than assuming they will look identical.
Why do white oak and maple look different after refinishing?
White oak and maple have different grain patterns, natural tones and absorption characteristics. Refinishing renews both surfaces, but each species retains its own visual character.
What does Bona IntenseSeal do?
Bona IntenseSeal is used to enhance the natural appearance and depth of hardwood before the protective finish system is applied.
Does Accolade Flooring provide free estimates in Cambridge?
Accolade Flooring provides free estimates for qualifying hardwood refinishing, installation, stair, repair and commercial flooring projects in Cambridge and surrounding Greater Boston communities.
START YOUR FLOORING PROJECT

READY TO TRANSFORM YOUR FLOORS?

Planning a hardwood refinishing project in Cambridge or another Greater Boston community? Contact Accolade Flooring to discuss sanding, refinishing, repairs, stairs or installation options.