Sprigg Lynn of Universal Floors in Washington, D.C., has long been a go-to expert for some of the most challenging wood flooring projects in the country. His work spans historic homes, national landmarks, and the White House itself. So, when the White House Historical Association embarked on a project to replicate the Oval Office for their new museum last summer, it was no surprise they called on Lynn to handle the wood flooring.
The museum, titled “The People’s House: A White House Experience,” sits at 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue, just across the street from the White House. Its purpose is to offer visitors an experience of stepping into the White House, complete with faithfully replicated rooms, artwork, and, of course, the Oval Office. For Lynn, the project was a natural fit. “We’ve worked for every president since Eisenhower,” he shares. “I’ve worked in the actual Oval Office multiple times, so I’m very familiar with that floor – its design, materials, and even how it has changed over time.”
The Oval Office floor itself is iconic, with a pattern of alternating 4” planks of walnut and quartered white oak in the center and a border design in the same woods. “Every piece in the real Oval Office floor is unique because of the shape,” Lynn explains. “With an oval, every angle is slightly different, so each plank has to be specifically cut and labeled for its exact spot. It’s not like a herringbone or chevron where you can swap pieces around – it’s basically a massive jigsaw puzzle.”
The complexity went beyond the floor’s design. The new museum floor, made entirely of first-grade walnut and white oak, needed to be a flawless replica of the original. Lynn suggested starting the project with a laser-cut template to ensure the room’s walls were built to the precise oval shape required. “With an oval, there’s no room for error,” he says. “If the walls are off, the floor can’t be right.”
Despite his recommendation, the contractor declined to use the template, leading to complications later on. “We ended up having to digitally scan the entire room ourselves to prove where the walls were off,” Lynn recalls. “Once we overlaid our scan with theirs, it was clear there were issues. But by that point, we had to adjust the floor to compensate for the uneven walls. It added extra work, but we got it done.”
Even with these challenges, Lynn’s team remained meticulous in their approach. The first step was dry-laying the entire floor to ensure every piece fit perfectly. Adjustments were made as needed before the planks were glued down permanently. “We worked with the contractor to make sure the subfloor was completely flat,” Lynn explains. “If the subfloor isn’t perfect, it can throw off the entire installation.”
The installation itself was a multi-day process, with Lynn’s team taking care to protect their work. “When you’re on a big site like this, other trades are always coming and going,” he notes. “We set up barriers, yellow tape, and anything else we could to keep people off the floor. Once the wood is glued down, even one misstep can cause damage. We didn’t leave the jobsite – we ate lunch there and stayed on top of everything.”
Sanding and finishing the floor presented its own challenges. The finish needed to mimic the Oval Office’s appearance, which has varied over the years. “The real floor has been finished with wax, oil-based products, and water-based products at different times,” Lynn says. “For this project, we used a tinted water-based finish to replicate the current look of the Oval Office. It dried quickly, which helped us stay on schedule.”
The team worked late into the evenings to avoid clashing with other trades. “We came in on a Friday after everyone else had left and worked straight through the weekend to get it done,” he shares. “By Sunday night, the final coat was on.”
Reflecting on the project, Lynn emphasizes the importance of preparation and communication. “Every day, we took notes and documented any deviations from the plan,” he explains. “With big commercial contractors, you can’t rely on verbal agreements – you need everything in writing. If something isn’t right, you have to raise the issue immediately. It’s not about being difficult; it’s about protecting the project.”
Lynn also stresses the importance of standing firm with contractors. “We’ve been in business for more than 70 years, and we’ve learned that not everyone is fair,” he says. “A lot of big contractors have contracts designed to protect themselves at your expense. It’s critical to set your terms upfront, especially on a project like this where the stakes are so high.”
The project ultimately was completed with painstaking attention to detail, down to the last plank. “When you’re working on a floor like this, everyone has to be laser-focused,” Lynn advises. “Even one small mistake can throw off the entire design. That’s why we dry-laid every piece before gluing it down – it’s all about precision.”
As Lynn reflects on the project, it’s clear that his deep connection to the Oval Office made all the difference. “I’ve worked on floors for decades, but this one really stands out,” he says. “It’s a privilege to be able to bring a piece of history to life for people who may never set foot in the real Oval Office.”
The floor’s durability will be tested as it welcomes countless visitors, but Lynn is confident in its performance. In fact, Universal Floors has committed to maintaining the floor annually, free of charge. “It’s about ensuring it stays as beautiful as the day we finished it,” he says.
For Lynn, the project was both a challenge and an honor. “We’re fortunate to do what we do,” he says. “Whether it’s the White House or a local home, it’s about doing the best job possible and honoring the craft. This was one of those one-in-a-million projects, and I’m grateful to have been a part of it.”
