1924 West Asheville, Termite Repair and Loba Mahogany

This 1924 West Asheville house had termite damage that went past the finish floor and into the subfloor. Before any sanding could happen, the compromised framing and decking had to come out and be replaced, then new hardwood woven into the original field so the repair disappeared.

Once the floor was sound, sanding started with the Hummel at 60 grit, then the Bona PowerDrive planetary through 60, 80, 100 and 120 grit. Century-old oak takes a careful sequence — the goal is even color across original boards, patched boards and new wood alike.

The floor was water popped for stain and carried the extra grit that staining always requires. Loba Mahogany gave the owners the deep red-brown they wanted while keeping the grain readable rather than muddy.

Loba Easy Prime and Loba Easy Finish in satin over the color. In the after photograph the light runs clean down the boards through the doorway — no shadow where the repair was, no break in the color.