Hardwood Floors June/July 2019

RIDGEFIELD FLOORING The Just for FunRoller SkatingRink, inMcHenry, Illinois, has been around since the 1920s – originally beginning as a dance hall. It is recognized as a pillar of the community, and Ridgefield Flooringwas quick to get involvedwhen the rink sent out an SOS for repairs after it was vandalized and in danger of closing. “Whenwe saw themessage asking for contractors to donate labor andmaterials, we knewwe could help,” shares JakeMitchell, GeneralManager of Ridgefield Flooring. “Our company rebuilt the snack bar andmade a fewotherminor fixes.” WhileMitchell and his crewwere thereworking, they became good friends with the owner of the rink, Lisa. Additionally,Mitchell’s children began to spendmore time there, making their work at the rink feel evenmore impactful. “While Lisa and I were talking one day, shementioned that the floors were in dire need of being refreshed,” addsMitchell. “I ran intoTobyMerrill, Contractor Specialist at DuraSeal, and the lightbulbwent off. I wasn’t expecting anything, but before I knew it, Tobywas calling to sayDuraSeal could donate enough finish to coat all 10,000 square feet of flooring.” Upon receiving the donation of finish, Ridgefield Flooringmade a fewminor repairs, buffed and vacuumed the floor, and then rolled out the finish. Initially,Merrill andMitchell were unsure if the finishwould bond and hold up to the abuse of skating. “Toby asked if we did adhesion tests, so I replied that although our teamwas not very scientific, we could be abusive!The finish survived lots of roller hockey stops,” addsMitchell. OLDE TYME CRAFTSMEN LLC NewEngland area designers and contractors were invited to participate in the total makeover of the historic 1906 Frank. E. AndersonHouse, owned by theThomasMoreCollege of Liberal Arts.The AndersonHouse, now renamedMercyHall by the college, has servedmany purposes over the years. Originally built by awealthy shoe baron for his newbride, the lavish home became a center of art, culture, and hospitality. OldTymeCraftsmenLLCwas one of the teams selected to participate in the remodel. “We were going to repair and refinish just one room for the designer we knew. Because therewas no good place to stop due to roomflowand the designers wanting the flooring stained a darker color, the project quickly grew into sanding, staining, and refinishing the entire first floor and the grand staircase,” saidRonCharpentier, Owner, OldTymeCraftsmenLLC. The company provided labor andmaterials all gratis, with the team’s contribution totaling more than $18,000. InAugust 2018, the homewas opened for tours to the general public to raise funds for the HomeHealth&HospiceCare organization of southernNewHampshire. HomeHealth& HospiceCare has been a provider of home care and hospice services since 1883. Serving 25 communities in southernNewHampshire includingManchester, Nashua, Derry, Salem, Merrimack, and beyond, the organization provides traditional home care, inclusive of nursing, rehabilitation, therapies, medical social work, and licensed nursing assistants.

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

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