Top Shelf Flooring brings new life

to a Classic Iowa Four-Square

These before and after photos show how a sand and refinish can recover the beauty and elegance hidden under years of wear and tear. These floors were not in that bad of shape when Top Shelf was asked to lend advice to this project. There were however different finishes in different rooms and the floors had seen normal discoloration from sunlight and rugs and even a brick fireplace that had been built over ten square feet of the hardwood. Top Shelf never suggests a job be done when it is not absolutely necessary. In this instance our advice was: "If the floors bother you then it's time to refinish". Our customers decided to do a full sand and refinish and the results were phenominal.

As you can see the wood work and the floors are beautiful together and the "dirty" look of the old finish has been replaced by a uniform colored, beautifully smooth, and classically elegant Oak Floor. These pictures were taken after the second coat (water-bourne polyurethane) and before the final buff and last coat of finish. A customer can expect slightly more build on the finish and all the little imperfections to be buffed out and finished. In other words, although these photos represent a beautiful floor, they are not yet good enough to be a Top Shelf Floor.

Top Shelf Flooring Testimonial

We get these all the time but this one sums up what we hear the most:

Thanks very much, Dan - The floor is lovely-we sometimes just stand and look at it. The shellac finish is very much what we wanted.
-Jeff K

At Top Shelf we take great pride in our craftsmanship and really keep a close eye on the details. Customer satisfaction is not our focus, it is our goal. When a customer tells us they sometimes just stare at their floors we feel pride and we know how they feel. For hours on end, we did the same thing.

Please call Danforth at:

319 321-5814

so we can come look at your floors.

Refinishing Oak in Iowa Farmhouse

This job halfway between Hills, IA. and Riverside, IA. presented some interesting challenges. The original layout of the house had been changed leaving patches where walls once were, new doorways and walls, and many different surfaces coming together. In fact the entire house had been moved thirty years ago from some other location. The old finish was a mixture of Shellac, polyurethane, wax and untold layers of cleaners and polishes. The floors were dirty and damaged and in need of some TLC. Above you see one of the before views and below you will see the same floor (from a different direction). We believe the results were spectacular.

Our customers wanted a look that was clean and bright but not totally unlike the original finish. After trying three different stains (in samples applied directly to the floor) we sanded them off and went with a base coat of de-waxed Shellax sealer and two coats of Ce-rox water-bourne polyurethane. I believe we met their goals.

Top Shelf Flooring

serving Eastern Iowa

319 321-5814

A Top Shelf Remodeling Project

Top Shelf Construction bought a house in January and has slowly been remodeling. The Floors have just been finished and trim is going up currently. This was a total top to bottom project and when finished there will be no surface in this house that did not get treatment. As you can see there was quite a bit of damage. These pictures will show what a customer can expect those old floors underneath their carpet to look like after Top Shelf has been through.

These are all before and after Photos of the same areas.

This last picture shows an area where new floor had to be blended in with old.

The results were seemless. As is any Top Shelf Project.

Top Shelf Installing and Finishing in New Construction

These Foors are waiting for Their Final Coat of finish. In this instance we installed and did the first two coats of finish then waited until all the rest of the work was done in the house (painting, cabinets, vanities, fixtures, trim, etc.) and then returned to do the final coat.
Call Top Shelf Today:

319 321-5814

Top Shelf Installation in a new Davenport, Iowa Home

The First Photo here is before the final coat of finish and the second is halfway through the final coat.

Eucalyptus Flooring and Cabinetry by Pearl City Wood Products!

Many of our customers ask if all woods in a house need to be of the same species. Absolutely not! In fact, different wood types tend to compliment each other. As you can see, these Eucalyptus Floors are the perfect match for these Cherry Cabinets. We have had the opportunity to work with Pearl City Wood Products on a number of projects and are continually impressed with their craftsmanship, reliability, affordability and professional attitude. This company from Muscatine, Iowa is a Top Shelf recommendation.

Another Example of Eucalyptus

3 1/2" Board widths Showing the Rich Variety of Color in this Forest Stewardship Council Certified Product

Eucalyptus Solid Wood Flooring

This is Country Grade Eucalyptus (the least costly of three Eucalyptus options) showing that a beautiful Exotic floor is well within reach for any budget. It was installed and finished in a Muscatine, Iowa home where carpeting was making family allergies a big problem.

Hardwood flooring is a hypoallergenic option for those who suffer from seasonal or allergen specific problems because it does not trap dust and pollen as does carpet.

Reclaimed Kitchen Floor!

Underneath a layer of vinyl and a layer of linoleum you will

most likely find a floor that looks something like this:

As you can see what is left is the paper, glue, and damage done by years of moisture creaping underneath the linoleum and sitting. At this point most homeowners and some flooring companies will begin to consider new flooring.

Top Shelf knows that there is beauty underneath all that and would prefer to take the time and spend the energy to reclaim a floor like this. It costs less than a new floor (hardwood, tile, or vinyl) but more importantly it is original to the house. This particular house was built in 1916 and it would be a shame to throw away a perfectly good fir floor for the sake of ease.

The next few pictures will show you the difference that a little sweat and integrity can make.

Looking better!

Now it's beginning to look like a kitchen someone could cook in.

This process is extremely labor intensive and most would not take on such a project. However, this floor speaks for itself at this point (and it is only halfway through the sanding process). After loosening up at that glue and paper this floor has seen three grits of sandpaper in three passes. It will now get at least one more pass to take out any imperfections that may be lingering and generally smooth out all the other passes. It'll then get 2 MORE passes with the buffer (each pass mentioned being a seperate grit of sandpaper) and finally finish. Extra care must be taken with a project like this as much of the required sanding and scraping has to be done by hand. Check back to see more photos of this and other projects. We can't wait to see how this floor looks with finish.

Call Danforth at Top Shelf for a free consultation and estimate: 319 321-5814

Eucalyptus Flooring

This installation is an example of a new product on the market and Top Shelf is the first in our area (Iowa) to work with it. Its coloration varies from dark reds and browns to light ambers and blonds. Eucalyptus from Argentina comes in three grades: Country (as shown above), Colonial, and Prestige. As the grades move up from Country to prestige you will find more uniformity in color and imperfections on the face of the wood will disappear. The floor shown above was of the lowest quality and had a few knots in the grain that did not alter the profile of the wood at all. This floor was 600 square feet and we counted a dozen small imperfections. Not bad!

We found this flooring to be easy to work with and extremely affordable and recommend this floor for its uniqueness, FSC certification, beauty, and cost (much lower than most products on the market). This is the second Eucalyptus floor Top Shelf has installed and as far as an endorsment goes the pictures speak for themselves.

This wood flooring is made from Eucalyptus Grandis grown in Argentina , the wood species has a Janka Scale rating of 1150, softer than Red Oak and slightly harder than Teak. Eucalyptus Grandis flooring is made of wood sourced from plantations certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. This means the forests are being managed in a way that ensures long-term productivity and protects local cultures, economies, wildlife, soils, recreation and other uses. So instead of contributing to the destruction of the tropical rain forest in Latin America ,buying this flooring actually helps keep tropical rain forests intact.

Top Shelf Construction
Hardwood Floor Care - General Do's and Don'ts
Here are some general do's and don'ts to help keep your hardwood floor looking like new:

After your Hardwood Floors have been Finished with our Water-Bourne Polyurethane (the most durable on the market) please allow at least ten days before placing any permanent rugs down. Also allow the same ten days before doing any mopping of any type.

After 24 hours your floors will be 90% cured and over the next 9 days it will fully cure. Please use floor carefully during this time knowing that although you will be able to walk on floors, replace light furniture items, replace shoe moulding, paint and etc., it is slightly more vulnerable to scratches and scuffs.

Enemy Number 1: Water
Regardless of its finish your floor will quickly lose its luster if exposed to water. More serious damage is also possible, including warping and other problems.
DO: Wipe up any spills immediately with a soft, dry cloth, starting at the edges of the spill and working your way toward the center.
DON'T: Let water stand on your floor, or use wet cloths for clean up.
DON'T: Do not mop floors with any products containing wax or oils. Do not soak floors when mopping, use a spray bottle filled with an approved cleaner for Hardwood floors such as Bona X Hardwood Floor Cleaner. A quart of water plus one tablespoon white vinegar will also work.

Banish Dirt, Dust and Grit
Dirt, dust and grit can also damage your hardwood floor. Tracking dirt, dust, and grit can dull its finish and cause scratches that can only be repaired by refinishing the floor.
DO: Sweep your floors regularly. Invest in a good broom that features exploded tips to trap dust and dirt, not simply spread it around. Dust mops can also be helpful in keeping dirt, dust, and grit under control.
DO: Vacuum frequently, using a canister vacuum with special hardwood floor attachments.
DON'T: Use an upright vacuum with beater bars. They can cause dents in your floor's finish.
DON'T: Use any dust treatment (ie. pledge) unless it is approved by your floor's manufacturer. The wrong treatment can make your floor dull and cause problems the next time you refinish.
DO: Use doormats at the entrances of your home to help trap dirt and grit. Clean them regularly.

Area Rugs
DO: Use area rugs or small sections of carpet placed inside doorways and in areas like kitchens where spills are likely to occur.
DON'T: Use throw rugs with rubber or vinyl backing without checking to determine if they will affect your floor's finish. Most are ok with our Water-bourne finishes. Some materials in the backing can react with certain floor finishes, discoloring or causing the finish to become dull.
DON'T: Let even damp throw or scatter rugs sit on the floor. Check the rugs frequently and make sure damp rugs are removed.
DO: Move your area carpets or throw rugs occasionally to maintain a uniform appearance in the floor's finish.

Sunlight
The ultraviolet radiation in sunlight can cause discoloration over time.
The ultraviolet rays that can burn and age our skin will affect any organic material, including wood. Prolonged exposure to sunlight will change the color of virtually any wood floor, regardless of the stain or finish. Some woods lighten when exposed to sunlight. Others, like cherry and oak, tend to darken. The newest water-based urethane finishes seem to slow color changes more effectively than oil-based urethane finishes, which tend to turn the brownish-yellow color of amber. Some finishes feature sunscreens to help block the penetration of ultraviolet rays, extending the time it will take the wood to change. Our products have very good uv protection and will not Yellow over time.
If color change from sunlight is not desired then:
DO: Protect your floors by using sheer drapes, curtains, or blinds to limit sunlight.

Furniture
DO: Place glides made of felt or some other fabric under the legs of furniture to prevent scratches. Clean the glides regularly to ensure that dust and grit do not become imbedded.
DO: Use barrel-type casters instead of ball casters to prevent dents.
DO: Use non-marking rubber casters instead of plastic or metal.
DO: Lift furniture when moving it to avoid scratches in the floor's surface.
Shoes
DO: Make sure there are no exposed nails or metal heel supports on shoes that could scratch or dent the floor.
DO: Check shoes with soles that have deep treads to ensure that any trapped dirt or gravel won't scratch or dent the floor.
DO: Be aware that high heels can dent a hardwood floor.

Weather and Climate
When installing a hardwood floor moisture and temperature of the upmost importance. A moisture level of about 6% -9% in the wood and a corresponding moisture level in the sub-floor is desired. Then installation should occur in average household temperatures, generally between 68 – 70 degrees F. After the floor is installed and finished a certain attention to moisture and humidity can drastically reduce the amount of expansion and shrinkage that will occur. This Contraction and Expansion can cause either gaps between the boards or Cupping and buckling in the boards, respectively. By heating the house in winter we are taking much of the humidity out of the air and floors will dry and shrink slightly. This can be combated by using an air humidifier. Conversely, in the summertime running the air conditioner can remove much of the humidity that makes for an uncomfortable house and can cause your floors to expand. Your floors have been installed with an expansion gap around all the edges so cupping and buckling should only occur under extreme circumstances. After your floors are installed and finished temperature should be set at a level that is comfortable to you. Drastic changes in temperature should be avoided as is possible but normal fluctuations should not affect your floor.

Reclaimed Pine Flooring

This Beautiful Pine floor was reclaimed in an older home that had seen many different owners and many different styles over the years. This floor lay underneath two layers of vinyl, one layer of linoleum, and one layer of glue down tiles. Top Shelf is the only company in the area that will put the time it takes into a floor like this. But we also feel that the results are unmatched. This floor could not be replicated in a newer product. The beautiful color, depth, and variation in these floors can only come from the old growth trees that were harvested when this house was built 80 years ago. Newer pines and firs are younger and although still a fine choice when no wood is currently in a room they simply do not have the character of the older growth lumber. It would have been a shame to do as was suggested by another company and "sell um' a new floor". Instead Top Shelf reclaimed the old floor and gave new life to a beautiful wood floor.

This existing Red Oak Floor in Iowa City presented some interesting challenges. To begin with the floor had many areas where pieces of plywood were "patched in" to cover old cold air returns, register vents, and places where walls used to be. Top Shelf is highly skilled in "lacing-in" new wood flooring in these areas to provide a seamless and almost unrecognizable patch. There are three of these Laced-in Patches in the Photo above. This floor was not 3/4" like most of the floors found in older homes but 3/8" thick. This was tricky on two levels. Finding the material for the patches required some investigative effort but thanks to our good friends at HILL HARDWOOD in Iowa City we found it and it worked perfectly. But also, was there enough floor thickness left after 60 + years to sand and re-finish. Top Shelf is your Iowa City specialist in older home renovation and restoration and can professionally identify whether a floor has life left in it. Where other floor companies suggested a full tear-out and new flooring you can see that Top Shelf resurrected this existing floor and brought it back to it's original beauty.

These pictures are of a Rustic Black Walnut 2 1/4" floor laid over 1200 square feet of space including a great room (pictured), kitchen, dining/enertaining room, and hallway. The results were wonderful. The Rustic Walnut came in lengths that averaged about 20" with some as long as 8 feet. It also showed many of the beautiful aspects of Walnut including sapwood and many, very small, knot rings and holes. The owner chose not to fill these as they added to the rich texture of the floor. We sanded and sealed these floors with Shellac then topcoated with Resilience Mystic Satin Finish waterbourne polyurethane. The end product was a beautiful addition that this familyof four will enjoy the entire time they own this home.

The Kitchen remodel; including design, layout, and installation of cabinets and appliances was also a Top Shelf Project. These Stained Alder cabinets were the perfect compliment to the Black Walnut Floors.

Call Top Shelf at: 319 321-5814 Today!

2 1/4" Red Oak HerringBone Border With Brazilian Cherry 2 1/4" Diagonal Inlay.
This strikingly beautiful floor was a product of discovery. After purchasing their new home our clients pulled up the carpet to find a 18" border in oak and wool carpet in the center. We pulled the wool carpet, selected Brazilian Cherry to compliment the Red Oak, repaired the existing floor, installed the Cherry then sanded the entire floor, sealed with oil based sanding sealer and Finished with 3 coats of waterbourne polyurethane.
The finished product invites guests into the home with both color and warmth and fascinates those inside with its depth, texture, and intricacies.

Call 321-5814 for a Free Quote from Top Shelf Today!

Beauty For the Family

This Beautiful Brazilian Cherry 3 1/4" Floor was installed in a room where white carpet would not hold up to the family's child and two dogs.

In high traffic and high spill areas you can not beat hardwood. Spills simply wipe away, dirt and dust require a quick sweep, and if wear ever becomes an issue you can easily recoat your floor rather than sand and refinish. Any other product on the market will require a full tear-out when it begins to wear.

As you can see my son fully approves of the job.

This is a new endeavor that I will be undertaking to keep contact with customers and share photos of current projects. Top Shelf has been in business in the Iowa City area for 7 years and has experience installing and finishing hardwood floors for 10.
The floor pictured here is 2 1/4" Red Oak Quartersawn Floor sealed with Shellac and finished with Ce-Rox Waterbourne Polyurethane.