Uncovering Timeless Beauty: Refinishing Hardwood Floors in a Cottage Grove Rambler
A spotlight on the timeless beauty hardwood floors help bring out in the typical midwest rambler.
When our clients peeled back the dated carpet in their newly purchased Cottage Grove, MN, Rambler, they uncovered a hidden gem: pristine hardwood floors, buried since the 1970s when wall-to-wall carpeting swept through Midwest suburbs. Born in the 1950s during Cottage Grove’s transformation from a rural farming community into a bustling Twin Cities suburb, these iconic single-story Ranch homes—known for their open layouts and minimalist charm—were designed for family living. As highways like U.S. 61 and I-494 connected Cottage Grove to St. Paul, the population soared from 833 in 1950 to over 13,000 by 1970, cementing its suburban status. Back then, durable oak and maple floors were a hallmark of Ramblers, but by the 1970s and 1980s, carpets became the go-to for warmth and modern flair, especially in Minnesota’s harsh winters. Now, with mid-century modern style roaring back, our clients joined a wave of homeowners reviving their Rambler’s original hardwood, embarking on a refinishing journey that restored its timeless elegance.
The process began with removing tack strips and staples, prepping the floor for a thorough sweep. We fired up the drum sander to sand away decades of old finish evenly starting with 36-grit belts. Subsequent passes with 60- and 80-grit sandpaper smoothed out scratch patterns, Our trusty Super7 floor edger ensured every bit of old finish was gone by sanding the edges with precision. Then, an orbital sander with 120-grit screens buffed the floor to a fine finish.
We fired up the drum sander, loaded with 36-grit LOBA Belts
Once sanded, our clients had a clear choice for finish!
The bare wood revealed its natural beauty—no major stains, just clean grain and clear boards. Our clients, thrilled with the result, chose to let the floor’s natural tones shine without stain. For the finish, we used a water-based system with a whitener additive from UP-GRADE Waterborne Systems, sourced from Ground Floor Supply. After three coats of Berger Seidle Ceramic Star 2-component water-based finish, the floor gleamed, a testament to the original installers’ craftsmanship from 70 years ago.
UP-GRADE
This universal whitener, compatible with any waterborne finish, added a subtle brightness.
The result? A stunning hardwood floor that honors the Rambler’s minimalist roots and Cottage Grove’s suburban heritage.As flooring trends evolve, embracing the natural beauty of hardwood floors transforms any home into a warm, timeless sanctuary. Ready to uncover the hidden potential in your Rambler?
Contact us to start your refinishing journey and bring your home’s history back to life!
Ready to increase your home’s value in one easy step?
Boost your Minnesota home’s value 3-5% with a quick hardwood floor refresh! In just a few days, pros sand and finish your floors. Perfect for Twin Cities real estate upgrades—call today! [Source: NWFA]
If you’re a Minnesota homeowner settling into a new place, a landlord prepping a rental, or an investor flipping a property in the Twin Cities, here’s a game-changer: hardwood floors. They’re more than a stylish upgrade—they’re a proven way to increase your home’s value fast. Better yet, one quick step can transform your space in just a few days, making it a top choice for Minnesota home improvement projects.
Why do hardwood floors matter in Minnesota? With our frigid winters and love for cozy interiors, Hardwood floors have since our state’s settlers first started building homesteads close to Fort Snelling have been a staple to making a house feel more like a home by providing timeless quality and durability that last. I’ve sanded floors over 120 yers old that still hold beauty.
Wood floors continue to this day to provide durability and lasting value, making them a top choice for boosting home value across Minnesota. The National Wood Flooring Association reports that homes with hardwood can sell for up to 10% more, often translating to a 3-5% value increase—on a $200,000 Minnesota property, that’s $6,000 to $10,000 gained. Source: NWFA - Added Value. Plus, 80% of realtors say hardwood speeds up sales, a big win for real estate upgrades in Minneapolis or St. Paul.
Restore the beauty in hardwood floors.
Heavily worn floors can be an eyesore to potential buyers or trigger buyer’s remorse to new homeowners
In Minnesota, where home improvement timing is key, this takes just two to three days. Day one, pros use dustless sanding to strip away scratches and wear, think of it as a reset for your floors. Day two, they apply a fresh finish, like a classic oak or a custom stain, tailored to your style. By day three, it’s dry, and your space looks polished and new. It’s efficient and elevates any room, in any type of house.
The one easy step?
Call Us.
Trust a professional with experience to transform your floor.
Hardwood isn’t just a trend here—it’s a smart investment for Minnesota real estate. Buyers walking into a Twin Cities home notice the quality immediately and envision their future there. Renters throughout the metro stay longer, drawn to the premium feel a good floor can bring. Investors flipping properties around the metro or beyond can count on higher returns all from a few days of expert work.
Ready to lift your home’s value with Minnesota hardwood floors?
One call, a couple of days, and you’re set.
Whether it’s a home improvement project in Minnetonka or a real estate edge in Rosemount, those floors are ready to shine—reach out and make it happen.