Hardwood Floors June/July 2026

Wood Stock

By Libby White Johnston Beauty Blending

One of the many benefits of real wood floors is that new flooring can be made to look like old wood that already exists in a home. However, that doesn’t mean it is always easy to do. DJ Townsend of I.R.B. Flooring in Pico Rivera, California, was up for the challenge on a recent job. “This project was to match a 20-year-old hardwood floor so seamlessly that new and old would feel like one,” recalls Townsend. “A contractor reached out knowing the level of precision required hadn’t been achieved yet. After walking the jobsite, I knew it was possible, but it would take time, patience, and craftsmanship.” Featuring 5” rift and quartersawn white oak with planks ranging from 8’ to 14’, Townsend began the project by creating custom stain samples until a perfect match was made. The wood was delivered and

left to acclimate inside the home. Throughout a two week timeframe, he stopped by the house regularly to check and document moisture levels to make sure everything was stable before installation. In the process of covering about 1,300 square feet, Townsend says preparation was everything. “The concrete slab was ground down, leveled where needed, sealed, and topped with ¾” plywood, which was glued and nailed for maximum stability,” he explains. “In high-risk moisture areas like the kitchen and I a T w sla wh wi glu stab moi

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