This project was originally written for my English 101 class at CCAC. The assignment was to examine a form of literacy outside of traditional reading and writing. I chose to explore the technical knowledge, problem-solving, and communication involved in hardwood floor refinishing. (Please note: names have been changed to protect identities.)

Beneath the Surface: Literacy of a Hardwood Floor Refinisher

Refinishing hardwood floors might seem like straightforward manual labor, but a closer look reveals the craft’s foundation in knowledge, precision, and communication. My lifelong friend Ryan, a flooring specialist at A-Z Custom Hardwood Floors—a company that shares a name with its owner, who happens to be the father of another close friend of ours—exemplifies this. I mention this connection to highlight that Ryan didn’t begin this job with formal learning or prior knowledge of the trade. Instead, he has learned everything he knows entirely on the job, developing his expertise through hands-on experience. Ryan has always excelled in areas requiring tactical problem-solving, a talent evident in his focused approach to tasks he enjoys. I’ve often watched him tinker with things—a bike, a guitar, a computer, a niche device I don’t understand—hands in constant motion, eyes and ears locked in. His work demonstrates that this profession demands far more than physical effort. It requires technical expertise, creative problem-solving, and effective interpersonal communication—qualities that challenge the stereotype of manual labor as lacking intellectual depth. Through his craft, Ryan shows that literacy extends beyond books and writing, encompassing tactical knowledge, curiosity, adaptability, and practice.

To complete a project, Ryan and the A-Z team must first understand the customers’ needs and set realistic expectations. Each project—which takes on average about a week to complete—begins with loading and unloading equipment at the workspace—typically the client’s home—and beginning the process of removing the floor’s existing finish. The process starts with sanding the floor’s edges using a machine aptly called an edger. Ryan then moves on to the central section of the floor with a drum sander. Next comes a meticulous process known as feathering, where progressively finer sanding grits are used to create a smooth, uniform surface. This dusty, loud process—which Ryan compares to “the inside of a trash compactor”—requires ear, eye, and respiratory protection. Over the years, Ryan has even learned to differentiate wood types by smell, a minor skill he has picked up through experience. The final buffing smooths the floor’s surface in preparation for the stain, seal coat, and traffic coat. Each material must be precisely measured and carefully applied to ensure seamless results and minimal waste.

Ryan’s work begins with an understanding of wood behavior, a key aspect of technical literacy. Different woods react uniquely to stains and finishes, requiring him to adjust sanding and staining techniques depending on the type of wood he is working with, using different amounts and types of materials accordingly. This process requires an understanding of materials and the ability to anticipate outcomes based on wood type and condition. According to Moro (2016), flooring projects demand technical precision to balance aesthetics with durability.

Ryan’s craftsmanship shines during the final stages of the finishing process. Different types of wood behave differently depending on the stain, so creativity and problem solving must come together to create a satisfying result for the customer. For instance, Ryan often encounters hidden stains, such as humidity and wear resistance. In addition to understanding how wood types react to different finishes, a floor refinisher must also account for factors like humidity and temperature, which can affect the final outcome. A humid environment may cause the wood to swell, altering the sanding process, whereas a dry environment may cause the wood to shrink, making it more prone to cracking. When unexpected damages are discovered, such as hidden stains from mold or urine, Ryan’s boss replaces the damaged section by matching wood type and year—a skill requiring both artistic talent and technical precision. Moro (2016) emphasizes the importance of adaptability as a cornerstone of successful renovation work, a quality Ryan exemplifies when navigating unforeseen challenges on-site.

After applying the stain and the seal coat, the final step of the process is applying the traffic coat. This is a water-based epoxy that serves as a protective layer for the floor. While it takes approximately 48 hours to dry, the traffic coat requires an extra week or two to fully cure. During this time, it goes through the process of “off-gassing.” Ryan must educate customers about this process, imploring them not to place anything—such as rugs or large pieces of furniture—on the floor, which will disrupt this process. Otherwise, this protective coating becomes “mushy,” as Ryan describes.

Collaboration with clients is another vital element of Ryan’s work, highlighting his interpersonal literacy. The team spends significant time educating. The refurbishing process is not complete without the client’s full approval. Ryan and his team educate customers about the behavior of different woods and finishes, helping them set realistic expectations for their floors. When customers are dissatisfied with their results, effective communication and problem-solving skills are key to finding a solution that satisfies the customer. Ryan uses empathy and his innate but refined skill of clear communication to navigate concerns, often finding compromises that align with both customer desires and practical outcomes. According to “Professional Insights” (2024), effective communication and relationship management are hallmarks of professionalism in skilled trades, emphasizing the importance of clear communication.

Technological skill is another critical aspect of Ryan’s craft. The tools of his trade—drum sanders, edgers, and buffers—are essential but prone to breakdowns from heavy use. Many of these machines are old, with missing or outdated manuals, yet Ryan routinely diagnoses and repairs them. By using serial numbers and model searches, he tracks down user manuals or pieces together functional solutions through research and mechanical intuition. In this way, he is ‘reading’ the machines. These troubleshooting skills mirror the problem-solving demands found in more widely recognized technical professions like engineering.

The intricate craftsmanship that shapes our daily environments is often taken for granted. Rarely do we see the weeks, months, or even years of work that go into creating the spaces we inhabit. Whether it’s the manual labor of hardwood floor refinishing, the planning and building of a sidewalk, or the renovation of a house, the human power behind these everyday fixtures remains mostly invisible. Often, we only see the finished product. We see the smooth, shiny wood floors; the sturdy, flat sidewalk; the once haunted house transformed to its former glory, forgetting the expertise, technical skill, and hard work that were essential to bringing these plans to life. These craftspeople are, in fact, engaging in literate practices that demand knowledge, adaptability, and problem-solving. Just as we fail to recognize the complexity of these tasks, we risk overlooking the value of the intellectual and creative labor that goes into shaping the spaces we interact with daily.

Beyond the technical aspects of refinishing floors, skilled trades like Ryan’s are essential to maintaining the beauty and function of the spaces we occupy. Each piece of work contributes to the aesthetic and structural integrity of our communities, enhancing the places where we live, work, shop, and play. It is the often-overlooked craftsmanship that supports much of the comfort and functionality that we enjoy daily. Ryan’s work exemplifies the expansive definition of literacy that encompasses much more than the traditional ideas of reading and writing. Through his technical skills, problem-solving ability, and interpersonal communication, Ryan challenges the stereotype of manual labor as unintellectual, showing that literacy is about far more than formal education. It involves continuous learning, hands-on experience, and the ability to adapt to a variety of situations. Recognizing that literacy is inherent in professions like these, we broaden our understanding of what it means to be literate, and develop a better appreciation for the essential work that is often hidden in plain sight.

Works Cited:

Moro, José Luis. “Flooring Volume 2: Design, Life Cycle, Case Studies – Flooring in Renovation and Modernization.” 2016. EBSCOhost, www.research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=302ff294-8701-3bcf-bf81-ebeb6ee1ab49

“Professional Insights.” Dewsbury Reporter Online, 27 Feb. 2024, www.link-gale-com/stnd/apps/doc/A784137394