Elevating The Avenues

Victorian Elegance, Modern Precision

The Avenues and Federal Heights contain some of the most culturally significant architecture in Utah. From Queen Anne Victorians on B Street to Craftsman bungalows on 8th Ave, these homes demand a level of respect and skill that the average flooring contractor cannot provide.

At South Valley Flooring, we understand that you don't simply "tear out" a floor in The Avenues. You analyze it. You assess the subfloor stability. You look for historical cues. And you execute a restoration or installation that honors the home's lineage while providing modern liveability.

Preservation-Grade Refinishing

We work with homeowners who regard their floors as antiques. Our refinishing process is forensic. We inspect for:

• Petrine Salts/Urine Stains: Old pet stains that turn black. We use hydrogen peroxide bleaching solutions to lighten them before staining.
• Face-Nailing: Historic top-nailed floors require careful sanding to avoid destroying the fastener heads, or countersinking them.
• Wax Buildup: Many Avenues homes were maintained with paste wax for 50 years. This must be chemically stripped before any modern polyurethane can bond.

Structural Correction on the Hillside

The Avenues is built on a hillside. Over 100 years, foundations settle. We commonly encounter rooms that slope 2-3 inches from one side to the other. While character is charming, vertigo is not.

We are experts at re-leveling subfloors. We don't just pour bags of leveler blindly. We calculate load limits. We often use a "sleeper system"—scribing 2x4s to the existing slope to create a dead-flat grid, then installing a new plywood subfloor on top. This provides a perfectly flat surface for new Rift & Quartered Oak or Herringbone parquet, ensuring your furniture stands straight and the floor doesn't squeak.

Luxury Staircases & Hallways

In Victorian homes, the staircase is the centerpiece of the entryway. We restore banisters, replace dangerous narrow treads with code-compliant ones (where permitted by historical variance), and install custom runners.

We turn a tired, squeaking, dangerous staircase into a silent, stunning architectural feature. We can replicate existing balusters using custom turning to replace missing ones, ensuring seamless continuity.

The Logistics of Implementation

Working in The Avenues presents logistical challenges: narrow streets, limited parking, and steep access. We recognize this. Our teams are trained to park efficiently, permit the dumpsters correctly with the city, and protect your neighbors' property as well as yours. We treat the entire neighborhood with respect, keeping noise and dust to an absolute minimum.