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Delaware Valley Hardwoods

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United States
Wilmington, DE
Delaware Valley Hardwoods

Delaware's Expert Team of Dustless Floor Refinishing Professionals. Delaware's only Certified Wood Floor Master Craftsman

10/28/2026

This particular floor is more than 300 years old.

Other contractors who looked at it recommended either tearing it out or installing a new floor over it.

But this home has a documented connection to the Underground Railroad and was used to help move people north toward freedom. There’s simply too much history here to cut these floors up and throw them in a dumpster.

So instead of asking, “How do we make this floor look new?” I approached it differently:

How do we preserve what’s here and give it another life?

A traditional aggressive sanding would have removed far more material than I was comfortable sacrificing from a floor that has already survived three centuries.

Instead, I proposed lightly abrading and cleaning the surface using abrasive brushes on a buffer, preserving the character, wear and history rather than trying to erase it.

The finish system required the same kind of thinking.

I wanted something appropriate for the character of the floor, but I also wanted to avoid creating a future maintenance cycle that would require repeatedly sanding away more of this irreplaceable wood.

We chose a burnished application of DuraSeal Quick Coat penetrating oil stain, creating a surface that can be maintained and refreshed without continually sacrificing the floor itself.

The goal wasn’t to make a 300 year old floor look brand new.

The goal was to make sure a 300 year old floor gets the opportunity to become a 400, 500 or even 600 year old floor.

And projects like this are exactly why I believe experience in the trades becomes about much more than simply knowing how to perform the work.

After nearly three decades in the wood flooring industry, I’ve realized that experience isn’t really about knowing how to sand a floor, run a machine, or apply a finish.

It’s about knowing what to do when the obvious solution isn’t necessarily the right one.

A subfloor isn’t what you expected.
A stain isn’t behaving the way it should.
A finish reacts differently on one job than another.
A contractor needs an answer.
A homeowner needs a solution.
A product needs to perform in real world conditions, not just under ideal ones.

That’s where experience starts to matter.

Running Delaware Valley Hardwoods for more than 27 years has required me to wear a lot of hats.. craftsman, estimator, salesperson, trainer, problem solver and business owner.

Knowing a product is one thing.

Knowing how that product actually gets specified, sold, installed and used in the field and being able to communicate that knowledge to contractors, distributors and customers is something different.

The older I get, the more I realize that the most valuable thing I’ve built over my career isn’t just craftsmanship.

It’s the ability to walk onto a jobsite, understand the problem, explain why it happened, and develop a solution that makes sense.

Sometimes the best craftsmanship isn’t about what you can replace or make new. It’s knowing what deserves to be saved.

10/27/2026

Sometimes the best way to restore a hardwood floor is not to sand it perfectly smooth.

These floors had significant wear and damage from years of use. We certainly could have continued sanding until every mark and imperfection disappeared — but doing that would have meant removing considerably more wood from the flooring.

And once that wood is gone, you don’t get it back.

So we took a different approach.

We sanded the floors only as aggressively as necessary to remove the failing finish and prepare the surface. Rather than chasing every low spot, dent and worn area with the sanding equipment, we incorporated wire brushing into the restoration process.

The wire brushing worked with the existing character of the floor instead of fighting against it. Areas that initially looked damaged became part of an intentional texture, giving the finished floor a rich, high-end appearance.

More importantly, we preserved significantly more of the floor.

That’s something I’ve learned over decades of working with hardwood: the goal isn’t always to make an old floor look brand new. The goal is to understand what you’re working with and determine the best way to give that floor another lifetime.

Sometimes craftsmanship means knowing how much to sand.

Sometimes it means knowing when to stop.

10/22/2026

Ugh. This sucks, but at the same time, helps me to explain what I was talking about the other day when I wrote about a conversation I had with a contractor who essentially said:

“Why create a problem that doesn’t exist?”

His point was that if the customer didn’t notice a problem with the workmanship, why bring attention to it?

This video is the other side of that same conversation.

This is a glue-down LVP installation. It’s been done for weeks, but the issues are just now showing face. When you step on the floor, it moves and bounces because the substrate underneath was not properly prepared.

When the homeowner questioned the installer about the floor not being leveled, the response was:

“You didn’t tell us you wanted it leveled.”

And that right there is the difference between performing a service and practicing a craft.

A homeowner shouldn’t have to know enough about flooring installation to tell a professional that the substrate needs to meet the requirements of the flooring being installed.

That’s why they hired a professional.

If the floor needs preparation to produce a proper installation, you identify it. You explain it. You price it. And if the customer declines necessary work, you document it, or you decline to put your name on an installation you know isn’t right.

Craftsmanship isn’t doing exactly what the customer knew enough to ask for.

Craftsmanship is knowing what needs to be done before they ever have to ask.

It’s easy to look good when everything goes perfectly. Your standards show when doing it correctly requires an uncomfortable conversation, additional work, or potentially walking away from a check.

Because at the end of the day, the customer probably won’t remember what machine you used, what adhesive you bought, or how quickly you finished.

They’ll remember whether the floor you put in their home was done right.

Your craftsmanship is your signature.

Put your name on work worth signing.

Delaware Valley Hardwoods
📞 302.396.4560
🌐 www.delawarevalleyhardwoods.com

10/21/2026

I had a conversation with a general contractor recently that has stuck with me.

We were talking about hardwood flooring, and he mentioned that he wasn’t particularly happy with the work his flooring contractor had been producing.

Waves in the floor. Chatter. Halos around the perimeter. Uneven stain. Things that, as a flooring professional, I would immediately recognize as problems with the finished product.

So I asked him a simple question:

“Did you say anything to them? Did you have them fix it?”

His response was:

“Why would I create a problem that doesn’t exist?”

What he meant was that if the homeowner didn’t notice it or complain about it, then there wasn’t a problem worth addressing.

And I’ve thought about that statement quite a bit.

Because I think it illustrates one of the biggest differences between simply being a contractor and being a craftsman.

A customer shouldn’t have to know enough about your trade to hold you accountable.

They shouldn’t need to know what chatter looks like.

They shouldn’t need to understand what causes a halo.

They shouldn’t have to recognize an improper sanding sequence, poor scratch removal, uneven stain pe*******on, or any of the other things that someone who works in this trade should recognize immediately.

We should know.

And that should be enough.

To me, craftsmanship is doing the job to the standard you know it should be done.. even when the customer would never know the difference.

Especially then.

There’s a mentality that has become increasingly common in the trades: get it done, get the check, and move on. If nobody complains, it was a successful job.

I’ve never been able to operate that way.

There have been plenty of times over the years when I’ve looked at something that probably would have been perfectly acceptable to the homeowner and said, “Nope. We’re fixing that.”

Not because someone demanded it.

Because I knew it wasn’t right.

That’s an expensive standard sometimes. It costs time. It costs materials. Occasionally it means doing something twice.

But that’s also what your name on the side of the truck is supposed to mean.

A craftsman’s standard can’t be determined by how much imperfection a customer is capable of detecting.

It has to be determined by what we know we’re capable of producing.

There is a difference between work that gets accepted and work you can genuinely be proud of.

I’ve always wanted my name attached to the second one.

-Jim Kramer
Delaware Valley Hardwoods
302.396.4560

10/20/2026

Considering refinishing your hardwood floors? Now may be the perfect time.

For a limited number of upcoming projects, Delaware Valley Hardwoods is offering preferred seasonal pricing on qualifying hardwood floor refinishing.

You’ll receive the same DVH refinishing process we’re known for—professional dust containment, premium finish options, and the craftsmanship and attention to detail we’ve built our reputation on since 1998.

No shortcuts. No reduced-service package.

Just an opportunity to take advantage of preferred seasonal pricing on select dates before our spring schedule begins to fill.

If refinishing your hardwood floors has been on your list, now is a great time to get an estimate.

Limited winter availability. Contact us to schedule an in-home consultation.

📞 302.396.4560
🌐 www.delawarevalleyhardwoods.com

Delaware Valley Hardwoods
Hardwood Flooring Specialists Since 1998

10/11/2026

🍂 FALL HARDWOOD FLOOR REFINISHING SPECIAL

If refinishing your hardwood floors has been sitting on the “we really need to get that done” list, now’s a pretty good time to knock it off.

For a limited time, Delaware Valley Hardwoods is offering $500 OFF qualifying hardwood floor refinishing projects.

Since 1998, we’ve specialized in restoring hardwood floors throughout Northern Delaware and the surrounding area.

No subcontracted sanding crews.
No shortcuts.
Just experienced hardwood flooring craftsmen doing the work the way it should be done.

✓ Professional dust-contained sanding
✓ Custom stain colors
✓ Premium professional-grade finishes
✓ Repairs & restoration
✓ Installation & refinishing

SAVE $500
on qualifying refinishing projects.

🍁 Contract must be signed by November 15.
🏠 Work may be scheduled through January.

Thinking about getting your floors done?

Send us a message with the word “FALL” and a few details about your project, and we’ll get you set up for an estimate.

Delaware Valley Hardwoods
Hardwood floors. Done right.

09/09/2026

NOW HIRING | HARDWOOD FLOOR TECHNICIANS
$20–$40+ PER HOUR -EXPERIENCE NOT REQUIRED

Delaware Valley Hardwoods is growing, and we’re looking for motivated, team-minded individuals to join our crew.

Experienced flooring professionals are encouraged to apply, but no flooring experience is necessary. We’re willing to train and certify the right people who take pride in their work, show up reliably and want to build a career in the skilled trades.

WHAT WE DO:

Led by a certified Master Craftsman, our technicians install, sand and refinish hardwood flooring throughout the Delaware Valley. We use professional carpentry tools, modern dustless sanding equipment, and high-quality waterborne stains and finishes.

Most of our projects are located within approximately 30 minutes of Wilmington, Delaware, with limited work inside Wilmington city limits.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

We’re looking for people who are:

• Dependable and punctual
• Team-oriented with a positive attitude
• Willing to learn and take direction
• Detail-oriented and proud of their workmanship
• Comfortable working with tools and equipment
• Physically capable of staying active throughout the workday

This is a hands-on trade. Technicians must be able to move flooring and sanding equipment between the truck and jobsite and regularly stand, walk, bend and kneel throughout the day.

Reliable transportation is required. A valid driver’s license is strongly preferred.

HOURS

Typical schedule: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM

We generally do not work weekends, although an occasional Saturday may be necessary depending on project scheduling.

COMPENSATION

$20–$40+ per hour

Starting compensation is based on experience, skill level and demonstrated performance.

We also offer opportunities for production and job-completion bonuses.

As your skills, responsibilities and production increase, so does your earning potential.

TRAINING & ADVANCEMENT

No experience? We’ll teach you.

Qualified entry-level employees will receive hands-on training with a Certified Master Craftsman, with the opportunity to earn industry certifications and develop into skilled hardwood flooring technicians.

We’re building for long-term growth and want employees who are interested in growing with us. Opportunities for increased responsibility, leadership and advancement will be available as our team expands.

BENEFITS

Following a successful 90-day probationary period, eligible employees may have access to compensation packages that include:

• Small-business group health insurance options
• 401(k) retirement planning
• Employer-matched retirement contributions within qualifying compensation packages
• Performance and production incentives
• Professional training and certification opportunities

INTERESTED?

If you’re already an experienced flooring technician, we’d like to talk to you.

If you’ve never worked in hardwood flooring but you’re reliable, mechanically inclined, willing to work hard and interested in learning a skilled trade, we’d like to talk to you too.

Message us with your name, phone number, work experience and a little about yourself to apply.

DELAWARE VALLEY HARDWOODS
Professional Hardwood Flooring • Wilmington, Delaware

Build a skill. Build a career. Grow with us.

03/20/2026

I haven’t seemed to remember to take vids and pics on the last few projects, but we just wrapped up this refinish in Bear, Delaware.
We cut in some vents, did a few repairs, sanded and finished everything.

I’ll do better with content on the next one lol.

03/16/2026

There’s a big difference between sanding floors and sanding floors professionally.

At Delaware Valley Hardwoods, our dustless sanding process is designed to keep your home as clean, safe, and livable as possible while work is underway. Just look at these photos - no dust hanging on the walls, no plastic hanging everywhere for you to deal with, no film on the windows, no mess left behind.

That matters when:
• your furniture and home need to be protected
• your family is still living in the house during the project
• you expect craftsmanship without the chaos

We take pride not only in the finished floor, but in how we treat your home every step of the way. Clean job sites, careful containment, professional equipment, and respect for the people living there - that’s how the job should be done.

Dustless sanding. Professional workmanship by Certified Master Craftsman, Clean, livable homes.
That’s the Delaware Valley Hardwoods difference.

302.396.4560
Delaware Valley Hardwoods

03/14/2026

Why hire a contractor who talks the big game and then just throws random crews at your project?… when you can hire the craftsman himself?

Certified. Award-winning. Dustless. Family-owned. No outsourcing. No revolving crews. No drop in quality from Monday at noon compared to Friday at 3pm. Real knowledge, not “we’ve always done it this way”.

Just true craftsmanship, direct accountability, and beautiful wood floors done the right way without compromise.

Delaware Valley Hardwoods
302.396.4560
DelawareValleyHardwoods.com

Address

2116 Peachtree Drive
Wilmington, DE
19805

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13023964560

Website

http://Delawarevalleyhardwoods.com/

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