Poplar Plains has been part of our regular service route since we started the business. This pocket of Westport has some really interesting homes, a mix of smaller ranches from the 50s and 60s interspersed with newer construction where older homes have been replaced. We here at Wood Floors of Westport, have probably worked on at least one house on every street in the neighborhood over the years.

The original homes in this area typically had red oak floors installed when they were built, usually with that classic 2¼” strip flooring that was standard back then. Many of these floors have reached the point where they’ve been refinished as many times as the wood can handle. We’re doing more full replacements here now than we were a decade ago, when refinishing was still an option for most of these homes.

Newer homes in Poplar Plains tend to follow current trends, wider plank white oak being the most popular choice lately. The contrast between the older homes and new construction is pretty dramatic when you look at flooring choices. We help folks navigate these options whether they’re updating an original home or building new after a teardown.

The area has some specific challenges too, parts of Poplar Plains have seasonal moisture issues, especially properties on the lower-lying streets. We account for this in our installation approach and material recommendations.

Most Poplar Plains homeowners face similar flooring decisions – whether to try one more refinishing on those original oak floors or start fresh. We help folks make that call based on the actual condition of their wood, not just what would be easier to sell. In many cases, those 60-year-old floors still have good bones despite surface wear.

Homes built during the neighborhood’s initial development often have subfloor issues we need to address first. The plywood they used back then wasn’t always the most stable, and decades of settling have created squeaks and uneven spots. We spend extra time reinforcing these areas before either refinishing or installing new hardwood.

For the newer homes in Poplar Plains, we’re often matching wood in additions or helping select flooring that balances current trends with timeless appeal. White oak with natural or light stain has become the standard in the neighborhood rebuilds, though we still install plenty of more traditional options too.

The split-levels common in this area present transition challenges where different floor heights meet. We’ve developed techniques to handle these smoothly rather than using those clunky metal strips that break up the visual flow. Makes a huge difference in how the finished floor looks.

Poplar Plains is a tight-knit area – word gets around fast when someone has work done on their house. We’ve benefited from that over the years. One job on North Morningside led to three more on the same street. That’s pretty typical for how we get business in this neighborhood.

Folks here seem to appreciate our straightforward approach. The houses in Poplar Plains weren’t built to be showcases – they were family homes built for practical living. We match that practical mindset in how we approach flooring projects. No upselling or pushing exotic stuff that doesn’t make sense for the neighborhood.

Most of our Poplar Plains customers have young families. They need floors that look good but can handle real life – kids, dogs, the muddy cleats after soccer practice at Bedford. We’re not interested in installing precious floors that people have to tiptoe around. The white oak we’ve been putting in lately is tough enough to handle whatever families throw at it.

We’ve actually watched the neighborhood evolve over the decades. Worked on some houses when the original owners were still there in the 90s, then did floors for the next family that moved in, and now we’re seeing some third-generation ownership calling us for updates. Gives us good perspective on what lasts in these particular homes.

Poplar Plains sits in that sweet spot between downtown Westport and the Weston border. Not as pricey as some Westport neighborhoods, which is why it’s attracted so many young families over the decades. The area takes its name from Poplar Plains Road, which runs through its heart, though locals sometimes just call it the “North Kings Highway area” after the other main road.

The neighborhood developed mainly in the 1950s and 60s as Westport’s population boomed after WWII. Most original homes were modest by today’s Westport standards – 1,500 to 2,000 square foot ranches and split-levels on quarter-acre lots. The yards tend to be level and open compared to the more wooded parts of town, which is why you see so many basketball hoops and swing sets.

In recent years, Poplar Plains has seen its share of teardowns and rebuilds, though not as many as some other parts of town. The location’s too good to pass up – quick access to the Merritt Parkway, close to downtown, and part of Westport’s school system. Bedford Middle School sits right at the neighborhood’s edge, and you’ll see plenty of kids walking there on nice days.

The mix of original homes and new construction creates interesting contrasts as you drive through. You’ll see a modest 1950s ranch next to a brand-new 4,000 square footer. Each type needs different flooring approaches, which keeps our work here interesting. Below is a map giving you directions to Wood Floors of Westport in Westport, CT.