Hardwood flooring questions, answered

Mirror Image Wood Flooring serves homes and businesses within about 100 miles of Bangor, Maine — including Brewer, Orono, Old Town, Hampden, Hermon, Bucksport, Belfast, Ellsworth, Bar Harbor, Newport, Dover-Foxcroft, Lincoln, Millinocket, Waterville, Camden and Rockland.

Yes. Estimates are free. Call or text (207) 659-2462 or send a message to schedule a time to look at your floors.

Yes, Mirror Image Wood Flooring is fully insured.

Cost depends mainly on square footage, the condition of the floor, the species and product chosen, stairs, and whether stain or extra repairs are needed. Because every floor is different, Mirror Image Wood Flooring gives a free on-site estimate with a clear price before any work begins.

Yes. Mirror Image Wood Flooring works on both residential and commercial projects, including offices, rentals and small retail spaces.

Mirror Image Wood Flooring has been installing, refinishing and repairing hardwood floors in Maine for over twenty years.

Call or text (207) 659-2462, email Mirrorimage123@ymail.com, or use the estimate request form on the contact page. Include your town and a short description of the project — photos help.

Most single rooms are installed in one to two days. A whole floor of a typical home takes several days, and site-finished hardwood needs extra time for sanding and coats of finish. You'll get a timeline with your free estimate.

Yes. Mirror Image Wood Flooring installs solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, laminate and luxury vinyl plank, and can recommend which suits each room — engineered or vinyl is often the better choice for basements and other areas with moisture.

Yes. Stair treads, risers and nosing are installed to match the surrounding floor so the staircase looks continuous.

Most rooms take two to four days from sanding to final coat, depending on the size of the space, whether you stain, and the finish chosen. Light foot traffic is usually possible after the final coat cures for about a day; wait longer before moving furniture back and putting down rugs.

Often yes, as long as you can avoid the rooms being worked on. Low-odor, water-based finishes make it much easier to stay home during the project.

Yes. Once the old finish is sanded off, the wood can be stained a new color. Sample patches can be applied on your floor so you can see the color in your own light before committing.

In most cases, yes. Replacement boards are matched by species, width and grain, and the repaired area is blended with the rest of the floor — usually by refinishing the room so the color is consistent.

Light surface water marks often sand out. Boards that are cupped, rotted or deeply stained black usually need to be replaced. The moisture source should be fixed first so the damage doesn't return.

Yes. Squeaks are usually caused by loose boards or subfloor movement, and can be fixed by re-securing the boards or subfloor.

Yes. Carpet removal and disposal can be done on its own, or combined with refinishing hardwood underneath or installing a new floor.

In many older homes, yes. Lifting a corner of carpet inside a closet is an easy way to check. If there is, we can tell you whether it's a good candidate for refinishing.

Yes — design advice is part of the free on-site estimate for any installation or refinishing project.

For homes with kids and pets, a harder species such as white oak or hickory combined with a lower-sheen (matte or satin) finish hides wear best. We'll talk through the options for your household.

Many households benefit from a recoat every three to five years, depending on foot traffic, pets and how the floor is cared for. Recoating before the finish wears through avoids the cost of a full refinish.

Road salt and sand tracked in during Maine winters scratch and dull the finish. Entry mats, regular sweeping and timely recoating help protect the floor.