Heart Pine Floor Restoration in Augusta, GA
Many older Augusta homes still have their original heart pine floors. You'll find them in Summerville, Olde Town and Harrisburg. Lots of these houses are more than 100 years old. You can't buy this deep amber wood new anymore. That's what makes it worth saving.
Heart pine needs a lighter touch than a regular refinish. We take off as little wood as we can. We keep the character that makes it special. And we patch missing boards with reclaimed pine.
Our team has more than 20 years of flooring experience. We've refinished floors in about 200 Augusta-area homes, including plenty of old heart pine.
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What Makes Heart Pine Special
Heart pine comes from the center of old longleaf pine trees. Many were hundreds of years old when they were cut. The wood is dense and full of tight growth rings. It's about as hard as red oak, and it turns a deep amber with age. Those forests are mostly gone. Today, the only heart pine you can get is saved from old buildings.
Signs Your Heart Pine Needs Restoration
✓ The finish has worn through in walkways and doorways
✓ Old paint, carpet glue or tar paper stuck to the boards
✓ Gaps between boards that have opened up over time
✓ Missing or broken boards from old repairs or moved walls
✓ A dark, cloudy finish that hides the grain
How We Restore Heart Pine Floors
STEP 1
We Check the Boards First
Old floors have often been sanded before, some of them many times over 100 years. So we check how much wood is left above the tongue before we plan anything. That tells us how hard we can safely sand. Sometimes a light buff and a fresh coat is the smarter choice. We've refinished floors in about 200 Augusta-area homes, and this check comes first every time.
STEP 2
We Sand Gently
When sanding is needed, we use finer grits and fewer passes than on a modern oak floor. Heart pine is full of resin, so we change sandpaper often to keep the cut clean. We take off just enough to remove the old finish and stains. The goal is a clean surface, not a floor with no character. Our team brings 20+ years of experience reading old wood like this.
STEP 3
We Patch With Reclaimed Pine
We replace missing or damaged boards with reclaimed heart pine. This wood comes from old buildings, so it matches the age of your floor. We pick each board by color, grain and width. Then we weave it in so the seams look natural. Once it's finished, the patch blends right in.
STEP 4
We Choose the Right Finish
Oil-based finish deepens heart pine's amber color and makes the grain glow. Water-based finish keeps the wood lighter. Most people skip the stain and go with a clear finish. We put both finishes on a small test spot so you can see them side by side. Then we apply the coats that protect your floor for years.
Built for Older Homes
Older houses have their own quirks. Think uneven joists, square-cut nails, old repairs and boards that run under walls. We plan for all of it in the quote. So there are no surprises halfway through.
Heart Pine Restoration Cost
Every old floor is different, so we quote after we see it. Sanding and finishing usually cost the same as a standard refinish, about $3 to $8 per square foot. Most jobs take about 3 to 5 days. Reclaimed boards for patches are priced by how many you need.
What to Expect During Your Restoration
Our own team does the work in your home. We never hand your job to subcontractors. Before we start, you get our work hours and an emergency contact. Every job comes with a full cleanup. We control the dust, protect your walkways and haul away the old materials.
How Our Quotes Work
Estimates are free. We come to you anywhere in our service area, and we try to reply the same business day. Most jobs are priced by the square foot. You get the full price in writing before we start. Prices rarely change. If we find a surprise under the floor, we show you first and get your OK.
Heart Pine Floor FAQs
Can heart pine floors be refinished?
Yes, as long as there's enough wood left above the tongue. We check that first. Floors that have been sanded many times may need a gentle screen and recoat instead.
Should I stain heart pine?
Most people don't. The natural amber color is why people love heart pine. A clear oil-based finish brings out that color without hiding the grain.
Where do you find matching boards?
We use reclaimed heart pine saved from old buildings. We match it by color, grain and width.
Is heart pine soft like regular pine?
No. Old heart pine is much denser than new pine from the store. It's about as hard as red oak.
Related Hardwood Floor Services
Hardwood Floor Refinishing
Bring worn, scratched floors back to life.
Water-Damaged Floor Repair
We replace damaged boards and blend them right in.
Recent Projects
See before and after photos from jobs around Augusta.
Get a Free Heart Pine Restoration Estimate
Does your home have original heart pine? It's worth a look before you cover it up or tear it out. We'll come check the boards and give you a written quote.