Custom Site-Finished Hardwood Flooring in Ottawa

The biggest difference is the surface texture and customization. Site-finished hardwood is installed raw and sanded on-site, creating a perfectly flat, seamless floor with no bevels (grooves) between the boards. This eliminates the "dirt traps" common with pre-finished floors. Pre-finished floors come stained from the factory with beveled edges to hide subfloor unevenness, whereas site-finishing allows us to custom match the stain to your Ottawa home's specific decor.

Ottawa’s winters can be harsh on natural wood. Because wood is hygroscopic (it absorbs and releases moisture), it can shrink and show gaps when indoor humidity drops. To prevent cracking or gapping, we recommend maintaining an indoor relative humidity level between 35% and 45%. Using a whole-home humidifier or a portable unit during the heating season is the best way to protect your investment.

Unlike pre-finished floors which can be walked on immediately, site-finished floors require time to cure. A typical project involves installation, sanding, staining, and applying multiple coats of finish. This process generally takes 3 to 5 days for the work, plus additional time for the finish to fully cure. We also recommend allowing the raw wood to acclimate in your home for several days prior to installation to ensure stability.

A major advantage of solid site-finished hardwood is its longevity. High-quality solid hardwood (like ¾” thick Oak or Maple) can typically be sanded and refinished 3 to 5 times over its lifespan. This means your floor can last 50+ years, allowing you to completely change the color and sheen decades later to match changing trends.

In the Ottawa area, a complete site-finished hardwood project (including material, installation, sanding, and finishing) typically ranges from $8 to $14 per square foot, depending on the wood species (e.g., Oak vs. Walnut). While the initial labor cost is higher than pre-finished options due to the sanding process, the long-term value is often greater because these floors can be refinished more times over their lifespan.

Modern refinishing is significantly cleaner than in the past. We use high-powered dustless sanding systems (often HEPA-certified) that capture up to 98% of airborne dust before it settles. This minimizes the cleanup required after the project and keeps your home’s air quality safe. While no process is 100% dust-free, our containment systems make it possible to live in the home during minor refinishing projects.

Yes, this is one of the primary benefits of site-finishing. We can mix custom stains to achieve the exact tone you want—whether it’s a modern "whitewash" look, a rich "espresso," or a colour-match to existing heritage woodwork in your home. We often apply test patches on your actual floor so you can see how the stain looks under your specific lighting conditions before we commit to the full room.

Yes, but the finish choice matters. While all wood can scratch, site-finished floors have a distinct advantage: they are easier to repair. If a specific area gets heavily scratched by pet claws, it can be screened and recoated or fully sanded down. For pet owners, we often recommend harder species like White Oak or Maple and a "satin" or "matte" finish, which hides scratches much better than high-gloss options.