Do-it-yourself: Use simple patterns for inlaid wood floor

Dear James: I have seen inlaid wood floors in older buildings and would like one in my own home. Can I add decorative inlays to my existing hardwood floors?

— Trish K.

Dear Trish: Decorative inlays in a hardwood floor can enhance the decor of any room. Each one is custom designed and made so the floor will be unique. They are not as common as they used to be, but new manufacturing techniques are reducing the labor needed and bringing the cost down.

It is best to leave this job to a professional unless you are a very experienced do-it-yourselfer and have the proper power tools, but here are some tips. Inlaid wood materials themselves are expensive. You do not want to take a chance of routing a floor improperly and then having the inlays not fit.

In order to control cost, consider just adding a narrow, but ornate, border or a premade medallion. An inlaid border, installed by a professional, typically costs from $20 to $30 per foot. Depending on the type of wood and the complexity of the pattern, it can go even higher.

Instead of totally replacing all your old hardwood floors, you may be able to refinish some of them. If so, you can have an inlaid border installed into the old hardwood floor.

When completed, the entire floor is finished with urethane.

These inlaid border pieces are only about one-quarter inch thick. The existing floor is routed out in the border area. Since some of these decorative woods are in short supply, using thin pieces reduces the amount of exotic wood used.

If you have much more time than money, you can try to stain small sections of the existing hardwood floor to create an inlaid appearance. First, sand and prepare the entire floor for refinishing.

Only partially seal the wood surface so that it will still take some stain. Carefully apply a darker stain to create the pattern that you desire. It should not bleed much since it is partially sealed.

To install inlays in an existing hardwood floor yourself, you will need a good quality router. Templates are also usually used to precisely route the old flooring for the shallow inlays. Always glue the inlays into place in the hardwood floor. Never nail them.

When totally replacing an old hardwood floor with a new one, you can buy lower-cost border patterns that are designed to fit perfectly and easily with standard tongue and groove flooring. These are typically 3/4-inch-thick pieces to match the regular flooring thickness.

Exotic. When more exotic woods are being used, even for new floors, a thinner veneer piece is bonded to a thicker back support piece. This conserves the exotic wood. Some attractive woods are Brazilian cherry, ebony, wenge, bubinga, jatoba, purple heart and mahogany.

For floors that will not be covered with any rugs or for entrances, consider installing a decorative medallion. There are many attractive and ornate designs to choose from. Some hardwood flooring companies will also make a medallion to match a photo or personal design.

Several hardwood flooring manu- facturers have patterns for you to choose from: Historic Floors of Oshkosh, oshkoshdesigns.com; Kentucky Wood Floors, kentuckyhardwoodflooring.com; Premier Inlays, stairrods.us/inlay; and Rare Earth Hardwoods, rare-earth-hardwoods.com.

Study their catalogs of designs before making your choice. You will be amazed at the variety and attention to detail. Some of the scenes actually look real. This is all accomplished with woods of various natural colors. Care. Care for your new inlaid floor like any other hardwood floor. Vacuum the floor and mop it with a mild solution of water and white vinegar. Do not use cleaning products that leave a film, like oil-based soap products.

(Send your questions to Here’s How, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH, 45244 or visit dulley.com. To find out more about James Dulley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at creators.com.)

New Castle, Pa

Fri. July 14, 2023

starting at 4:00 p.m.

WidoW’s TooLs AucTion

Patty Mook

4116 Hollow Rd., New Castle, Pa 16105 auctioneer

JD lA175 riding Mower. Power Pro 3500 Generator. Gas Cans. Small Metal lathe -4 Jaw Chuck. Tooling. Machinist Tools. 6” Universal Surface Grinder. Drill Press, Machinist Vice, Bench Grinder… Mechanist Tools: Snap On Small Line/combo wrenches. Craftsman Wrench Sets, Sockets, Deep Wells, Impacts, Big Sockets, Crescent Wrenches, Pipe Wrenches, Swivel Ratchet Wrenches. Anvil Bench Vise, Floor Jacks. Air: Impact, Drill, Grinder, Chisel, Ratchet, etc. Tap & Die. Puller Set, Double Flaring Set… Hobart Mig Welder. lincoln AC225 Welder & Acc. Welding Rod… lOBO 15” Planer. Grizzley: 6” Jointer, 14” Band Saw, Combination Sander. riDGiD Table Saw. CM 12”x36” Wood Lathe. 14” Cutoff Saw. Radial Arm Saw. Ryobi Detail Sander. Freud Shaper. Elect Hand Plane. Forstner Bits, Hole Saws, Router Bits. 2in1 Flooring Nailer. Pipe Clamps, Bar Clamps. Router, Sanders. Saws, Levels, Tool Belts. Air Nailers: Roof Nailer, Trim, Finish, Staple, etc. Lotsa Hand tools/Power tools, Grinders, Sawzall, Paint/sprayers. Chain Saw Sharpener, Blade Sharpener. Lotsa Bolts, Hardware, Nails, Screws, fasteners. Industrial Cabinet-Loaded. Pile of Lumber. Sandpaper, Abrasives, Saw Blades, Discs. Drill Bits, Electrical/Plumbing, Oil, Paint, Stains-Cabinet Full. Sawblade Clock… lawn Sweeper, Tow Sprayer, Animal Trap, Chains, Come A Long, barrel w/pump, Air Tank, Cement Mixer, 6 prong, Pallet Tank, Homemade bank mower… Old lic Plates. Small RR Iron (Anvil). Honda Goldwing Seat (Seat Only). Char Broil Commercial infrared Gas Grill, Shaker Desk, Singer Treadle. Patio Furniture – Chairs Cushions, Patio-Glider/Chairs. Quick listing – Much more!

TerMS OF SAle: 5% Buyer’s Premium waived for cash or local check. Go to auctionzip.com 8930 for more info/pics.

Complete Auction Service

305 Easy Street, New Wilmington, PA 16142 (724) 301-0319

PA Lic. #AU-003437-L • OH Lic. #57 96 7020 www.whitingauctions.com • www.auctionzip.com #8930

New wilmiNgtoN, PA Wed. July .12, 2023

starting at 4:00 p.m.

Outstanding “YOung” EstatE

whiting Auction Barn 305 easy Street, New wilmington, PA 16142

2013 Chrysler Town & Country- Touring-Leather- 48k miles

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Coins: Silver Dollars, Coin Sets, Currency - List Coming…

Guns: Sprg Armory SAINT 5.56/223. GSG-5 .22lr w/Red Dot optic. (2) Savage mod 110 30-06 - both w/scopes. Ithaca mod 37 12ga poly choke. Benelli Inertia 12ga 3” VR. Taurus PT845 .45 w/scope & case. Bersa 380ACP. Lots of ammo! Clips… Small ad BIG Sale – Excellent Quality! All FFL Laws Apply – Estate Family Handles Firearms. Terms of sale- 5% Buyer’s Premium waived for Cash or Local Check. Go to auctionzip.com 8930 for more info.