La Cumbre Floor Covering & Design refinishes, repairs and installs hardwood floors in Montecito, from its base in nearby Carpinteria. Montecito is unincorporated, so county rules and the Montecito Association’s hours apply, not 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 on half-acre lots to houses rebuilt after the January 2018 debris flow, which destroyed 107 homes and damaged hundreds more. Many floors here are either very old or very new, and both bring work: old oak and fir to refinish, and new wide-plank and patterned floors to install and finish 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 again when the marine layer returns. A floor installed and finished at normal humidity, and given 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 across 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 Tony’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.”Tony
Montecito is also where most of La Cumbre’s parquet work happens. In Tony’s words:
“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.”Tony
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. La Cumbre is based next door in Carpinteria, and most of its 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 Tony how he schedules a job around it.
Will the dry wind damage a new floor?
It moves wood, which is normal. Boards gap slightly in dry air and close in damp air. Installing at normal humidity and letting the wood acclimate first keeps the movement small.