La Cumbre Floor Covering & Design refinishes, repairs and installs hardwood floors in Montecito, from our base in nearby Carpinteria. Montecito is unincorporated, so county rules and the Montecito Association’s hours apply here instead of the City of Santa Barbara’s. Estimates are free: call (805) 698-9745.
The houses
Montecito runs from Upper Village condos to large estates, and from Coast Village Road cottages to houses rebuilt after the January 2018 debris flow, which damaged more than 400 homes. Many floors here are very old or very new. We refinish the old oak and fir, and install and finish the new wide-plank and patterned floors on site.
The sundowner
Sundowner winds come down the Santa Ynez Mountains over Montecito. In the November 2008 event, the National Weather Service recorded humidity near or below 10 percent. Wood shrinks in air that dry and gaps open between boards, then close when the marine layer comes back. A floor installed and finished at normal humidity, with time to settle, handles it. See the air and humidity before installation.
Working in Montecito
- Hours. The Montecito Association’s guidance is construction from 7 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, and none on state holidays. Plan a refinish for weekdays.
- Jurisdiction. Santa Barbara County, not the City of Santa Barbara, handles permits here.
- Access. Gates, long driveways and a crew that can work quietly around a household in residence are part of the job.
A Montecito job, in La Cumbre Floor’s words
“In Montecito, we hand-scraped 12,000 square feet of hardwood by hand, plank by plank, to perfectly replicate the texture and historical character of the original design.”La Cumbre Floor
Most of our parquet work is in Montecito, too:
“Parquet panel designs are true artisan work, so we do most of these projects in Montecito, where clients demand that level of custom, high-end craftsmanship.”La Cumbre Floor
From the reviews
“I am beyond impressed with LA Cumbre Floor Covering & Design, located in Santa Barbara! They recently refinished my antique wood floors, and the results are nothing short of spectacular. My floors now look completely brand new, yet retain all of their original character and charm. From the very beginning, the team was incredibly professional, punctual, and attentive to every detail. Tonatiuh, the owner, was absolutely the best—personable, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in making sure the work exceeded my expectations. What really stood out was their dedication to quality. Every corner, every plank, and every finish was handled with meticulous care. The craftsmanship is truly exceptional, and it’s clear they take immense pride in their work. Not only did they restore the beauty of my floors, but they also made the entire process smooth and stress-free. I would wholeheartedly recommend LA Cumbre Floor Covering & Design, Santa Barbara, to anyone looking for floor refinishing or design services. Tonatiuh and his team’s professionalism, expertise, and attention to detail are unmatched. My home feels brighter, more elegant, and completely refreshed thanks to them. Truly a five-star experience from start to finish!”Nicole M. · Google review
“I had a very good experience getting my floors resurfaced and floors laid in my master bedroom. The crew worked non-stop daily and were careful with my furniture and made sure my house was safe from dust and were extremely considerate of any inconvenience that might arise. I was so pleased with the end result! I liked working with Tomatiu who was always on time and finished in a timely manner. Great guy and crew. I highly recommend La Cumbre Flooring.”Marcia G. · Google review
What we do here
- Sanding and refinishing, with color samples made on your own floor
- Herringbone, chevron and parquet and stairs for new and remodeled houses
- Repairs, including water damage and termite damage
Questions
Do you work in Montecito?
Yes. We’re based next door in Carpinteria, and most of our parquet work is in Montecito. Call or text (805) 698-9745 with the rooms and what is wrong with the floor.
Can you work on a Saturday in Montecito?
The Montecito Association’s guidance is weekdays only, 7 am to 4:30 pm. Ask us how we schedule a job around it.
Will the dry wind damage a new floor?
It moves the wood, and that’s normal. Boards gap slightly in dry air and close in damp air. We install at normal humidity and let the wood acclimate first, which keeps the movement small.
Sources
- U.S. Geological Survey, inundation, flow dynamics and damage in the 9 January 2018 Montecito debris flow
- The service area guide lists the sources for the history and housing notes.