Hardwood Flooring Services
Hardwood Floor Services in Raleigh, Cary & Chapel Hill
Grades Hardwoods
At Grades Hardwoods, we believe your floors should do more than look good—they should elevate the entire feel of your home. As a family-owned hardwood flooring company serving the Triangle, our team brings European craftsmanship, a dedication to natural materials, and decades of combined experience to every installation, sanding, refinishing, and restoration project.
Homeowners across Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, and surrounding areas trust Grades Hardwoods for one reason: we deliver floors that are built to last and finished with unmatched attention to detail. Whether you’re restoring your existing hardwoods, installing new floors, upgrading your stairs, or choosing the perfect stain or natural oil finish, we make the process easy, transparent, and tailored to your home.
Explore our full range of services below—and if you’re ready to get started, contact us today for your free in-home estimate.
Hardwood Floor Sanding & Refinishing
Over time, hardwood floors can lose their shine, develop scratches, or show wear in high-traffic areas. But in most cases, you don’t need to replace your floors—you just need a professional refinishing service.
Our hardwood sanding and refinishing process brings your floors back to life by removing surface scratches, evening out imperfections, and applying a new protective finish that restores your floor’s beauty for years to come.
Why homeowners in Raleigh choose Grades Hardwoods for refinishing:
- We use professional, low-dust sanding systems to keep your home clean.
- We specialize in natural oil finishes, offering healthier, more durable, and repairable results.
- We provide stain sampling so you can compare colors directly on your own wood species.
- We guide you through choosing the best finish for your lifestyle—whether that’s natural oil, water-based polyurethane, or traditional oil-based polyurethane.
Our refinishing projects are designed to extend the life of your floors — often by decades. View our Refinishing Services page for more details and before-and-after photos.
Hardwood Floor Installation
Whether you’re remodeling, building new, or updating just one room, the right hardwood installation adds value, warmth, and long-lasting beauty to your home. Our team installs solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, unfinished planks, prefinished planks, and custom-milled materials based on your design goals and the structure of your home.
What makes our installation service different:
- Detailed moisture testing to ensure long-term stability.
- Expert layout planning to enhance the flow of your home.
- Precision installation with craftsman-level detail.
- Optional custom borders, inlays, and wide-plank options.
- Integration of new flooring with existing hardwoods for seamless transitions.
We help you choose the right species, plank width, and finish type based on your personal style and the needs of your household. From modern matte finishes to timeless traditional looks, we build floors that age gracefully.
Visit our Hardwood Installation page to explore flooring types, design ideas, and past project galleries.
Stair Installation, Sanding & Refinishing
Hardwood stairs are one of the most eye-catching features in any home—and one of the areas that demand the most precision and craftsmanship.
At Grades Hardwoods, we offer complete stair services, including:
- New hardwood stair tread and riser installation
- Refinishing existing staircases to match your floors
- Sanding and restoring worn or uneven treads
- Custom stain and natural oil color matching
- Modern upgrades like square edge treads or contemporary color schemes
Stairs require detailed hand-finishing, and that’s where our craftsmanship truly shines. Whether your home features open risers, traditional staircases, or modern floating steps, we deliver flawless results that elevate your entire space.
Learn more on our Stair Refinishing & Installation page.
Natural Oil Hardwood Floor Finishes (Our Specialty)
Grades Hardwoods is known throughout the Triangle for our expertise in natural oil finishes—a premium alternative to polyurethane that offers beauty, sustainability, and long-term durability.
Natural oil finishes penetrate deep into the wood rather than sitting on top like a plastic coating. This enhances the wood grain, creates a warm matte appearance, and allows for spot repairs without re-sanding the entire floor.
Benefits of choosing natural oil:
- Eco-friendly and VOC-free—safe for kids, pets, and indoor air quality.
- Repairable—scratches can be fixed without sanding down the whole floor.
- Beautiful matte appearance that highlights natural grain patterns.
- Ages gracefully—your floors develop a rich patina over time.
- Ideal for busy families, pet owners, and high-traffic homes.
We proudly work with high-quality natural oil brands, ensuring your floor receives the best protection and the most beautiful finish.
Explore our full guide on natural oils by visiting the Natural Oil Finishes section of our website.
Hardwood Floor Stain Colors
Choosing the right stain color is one of the most exciting parts of a refinishing project. Whether you love light, natural tones or rich, deep browns, we help you find a color that complements your décor and enhances your home’s style.
Our stain color process includes:
- On-site testing with multiple color swatches applied directly to your floor
- Custom color mixing to achieve the exact tone you envision
- Guidance on how different species absorb stain differently
- Education on how lighting and room size affect the final look
We offer classic favorites like Natural, Weathered Oak, Early American, Dark Walnut, and Jacobean, as well as modern tones like Greys, Whites, and Scandinavian-inspired natural looks.
Visit our Stain Color Gallery to explore real projects and find inspiration.
Why Triangle Homeowners Choose Grades Hardwoods
Family-Owned With European Roots
Our craftsmanship is inspired by generations of woodworking tradition. With a family history rooted in German blacksmithing and fine craftsmanship, we take pride in delivering high-quality, detailed work with old-world values.
Specializing in Natural Oil Finishes
We are one of the Triangle’s few hardwood flooring companies specializing in premium, hand-applied natural oil finishes.
Local Expertise
Serving Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Wake Forest, Chapel Hill, and Durham, we understand North Carolina humidity, construction types, and design preferences.
Honest, Clear Communication
We walk you through the entire process, provide transparent estimates, and keep you updated at every step.
Five-Star Customer Service
Our Google reviews speak for themselves—homeowners love our professionalism, craftsmanship, and the beauty of their finished floors.
Service Areas
We proudly serve homeowners across the Triangle, including:
- Raleigh
- Cary
- Chapel Hill
- Apex
- Holly Springs
- Wake Forest
- Morrisville
- Durham
If you’re located nearby, just reach out—chances are, we serve your neighborhood too.
Get Started With a Free Estimate
Ready to transform your hardwood floors? Whether you’re refinishing, installing, or updating your staircase, the first step is easy.
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Call us today to schedule your free estimate.
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click here to contact us online and upload photos of your floors.
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At Grades Hardwoods, we bring craftsmanship, care, and local expertise to every home we work in. Let’s create the floors you’ve always wanted.
How do I know if my hardwood floors can be refinished or if they need to be replaced?
Most solid hardwood floors can be refinished several times over their lifetime, as long as there’s enough wood above the tongue-and-groove joint. If your floors have deep structural damage, severe water issues, or are engineered with a very thin wear layer, replacement might be a better option. We can assess your floors during a free in-home consultation.
How long does the refinishing process take from start to finish?
A typical refinishing project takes 3–5 days, depending on the size of the area, the type of finish you choose, and the condition of the existing floor. Natural oil finishes cure faster than some polyurethane options, which can get you back on your floors sooner.
Will refinishing make my floors look brand new again?
In most cases, yes! Refinishing removes scratches, scuffs, and old finish, revealing the fresh wood beneath. We can also change the stain color, making your floors look completely updated.
What’s the difference between sanding and screening?
Sanding is a full refinishing process that removes the top layer of wood and old finish. Screening (or buffing) is a lighter process that simply abrades the surface of the existing finish so a new coat can be applied. Screening works for light wear, while sanding is better for heavily damaged floors.
Can you change the color of my hardwood floors during refinishing?
Absolutely. Once we sand the floors down to bare wood, you can choose from a wide range of stains or natural oil finishes to create a new look — from light, airy whites to rich, dark tones.
How much dust will there be during refinishing?
We use professional-grade dust containment systems to keep dust to a minimum. While no process is 100% dust-free, most of our customers are surprised at how clean the process is compared to what they expected.
Are natural oil finishes better than polyurethane?
It depends on your priorities. Natural oil finishes (like Loba Impact Oil) penetrate deep into the wood, enhancing its natural beauty and making spot repairs easy. Polyurethane forms a protective layer on top of the wood and can be more resistant to surface spills. Many homeowners choose natural oil for its eco-friendly properties and warm, organic look.
How long do I need to stay off my floors after refinishing?
With natural oil finishes, you can often walk on floors in socks within 24 hours. Polyurethane finishes may require 2–3 days before furniture is returned and up to a week before rugs are replaced.
How do I maintain my floors after refinishing?
Sweep or vacuum regularly, clean with a hardwood-safe cleaner, and use felt pads on furniture legs. Avoid excessive water and use a pH nautral cleaner. For natural oil finishes, occasional re-oiling keeps your floors looking their best.
How much does hardwood floor refinishing cost?
Pricing depends on the size of the project, the type of finish, and any repairs needed. Most refinishing projects range from $4 to $8 per square foot in the Greater Triangle area. We provide free estimates so you’ll know exactly what to expect.
Step 1
Free consultation. Call 919-336-1562.
Step 2
Schedule the process. Book today.
Step 3
Check it off your list. Done!
About Us
Our hardwood floor refinishing team are highly skilled professionals who have built a reputation for getting the job done on time, efficiently and professionally. We pride ourselves on adhering to our quotes, and ensuring service that is of the highest quality. We treat every single job with the respect it deserves.
Ulrich 'Uli' Gradinger
Grades Hardwoods, Owner