Hardwood Floors June/July 2026

entryways, we applied Bostik Roll Cote for added protection. From there, it was all about control. Locking in the first two rows, maintaining lines, and building in washer rows every 5’ to 7’ to allow the floor to move naturally.” The flooring was installed at a 45-degree angle using a nail down method with glue assist, which Townsend notes is a more demanding approach than standard installs. The craftsmanship is what he believes truly defined this floor. “Every single board was hand beveled before it ever touched the ground. Once installed, we sanded the entire floor and then hand scraped it individually, plank by plank,” shares Townsend. “This wasn’t just hand scraping. It was pushing the technique further than usual.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DJ TOWNSEND | I.R.B. FLOORING

“This project was to match a 20-year-old hardwood floor so seamlessly that new and old would feel like one. 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.” — DJ Townsend, I.R.B. Flooring

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

15