A Fresh Start: Revive Your Floors and Your Love for Home

Reinel Solano, the franchise owner of Floor Coverings International of Houston Heights, TX, recently took on a project that brought a home’s character back to life—all while reviving the homeowners’ excitement for their space, too.

Restoring History: A Parquet Revival in Houston 

After purchasing their new home, the homeowners discovered that the previous owner had covered the hardwood floors with SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) flooring. Unfortunately, this trapped moisture over time and caused both layers to expand and deteriorate.

When the homeowners removed some of the SPC, they discovered the hardwood was actually the original parquet flooring —a classic feature of mid-century design. Wanting to restore their home’s original beauty, they turned to Floor Coverings International of Houston Heights, TX to bring their floors back to life—and ultimately, help them fall in love with the place they call home all over again. 

Preserving the Past, Enriching the Future 

Parquet flooring was a hallmark of homes in the 1950s and ’60s—and this home still carried that charm. The challenge was not just to refinish the floors but to undo the damage caused by the previous installation. Cheap remodeling choices had nearly destroyed the hardwood. Still, Reinel and his team carefully repaired the loose parquet planks with original boards—sanding and refinishing the floors to bring back their original luster. While the clients initially wanted to extend the parquet into other areas of the home, the rarity and cost of sourcing custom parquet (nearly $20 per square foot) made preservation very valuable. 

A Transformation Worth Sharing

The results were stunning. The clients were so thrilled with the restored flooring that they shared every step of the process on Facebook, even inviting the home’s original owner—who still lives in the neighborhood—to witness the transformation. Seeing their old home revived brought tears to their eyes, a testament to the emotional impact of quality craftsmanship and respect for a home’s history. Whether it’s restoring original details, refreshing your space for spring, or simply investing in the little touches that make a house feel like home, showing love to your home is an investment in your own happiness, too. 

Why Floor Coverings International?

The homeowners chose Floor Coverings International because of our commitment to preserving hardwood floors rather than replacing them. With a reputation for quality and trust, Reinel and his team were the clear choice for the job.

As one client review stated:

“Highly, highly, highly recommend. Our 60-year-old parquet floors were warped and damaged from being trapped underneath LVP upon moving in. Thanks to FCI, our floors look and feel brand new!! Reinel and Oscar made us feel comfortable every step of the way.” – Evan Key 

The Bigger Picture: Flooring Trends and Lessons Learned 

SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) vinyl has been popularized as an inexpensive, water-proof floor. Many homeowners and home remodelers install SPC over hardwood floors that are glued over concrete foundations to avoid the high cost of removing the hardwood, though this installation is not recommended.

Moisture continuously evaporates from concrete foundations, and the home’s AC helps maintain humidity at safe levels for the floors. However, SPC over hardwood traps moisture between the old hardwood and the new SPC layer, which could lead to mold, SPC warping, or adhesive failure over the hardwood.

The story of this home serves as a reminder that not all modern updates improve a home and add value or character. Thoughtful renovations—especially those that preserve original hardwood flooring—can make all the difference in maintaining a home’s history while adapting it for modern living. Also, it demonstrates that based on our experience, many of the SPC floors in the market are affected by moisture, so the water-proof claims are misleading. 

Looking Ahead

This project was more than just a flooring restoration; it was a homecoming for the client and their newly purchased home. They take so much pride in their beautifully restored floors, and FCI of Houston Heights, TX is proud to have helped them achieve their vision.

At Floor Coverings International, great flooring can transform not just a space but how you feel at home.