Ray Horan is the owner of Buff & Coat. Originally born in New York, Ray has been in the Chicago area since 1979. He completed his education here, graduating from both College of DuPage and then with a degree in finance from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). He grew up playing a lot of sports and was a big Mets fan. That became a big problem when he met his future wife, who had five brothers who loved the Cubs. Anyway, that was a long time ago and he has since been a partial season ticket holder to the Cubs for over 25 years. When not working or taking in a Cubs game, Ray likes golf, skiing, and camping.

Ray worked in the mortgage banking business for more than 25 years before purchasing the first Illinois Buff & Coat franchise. He started as a loan officer and then moved to management as a V.P. with The Principal Financial Group from 1984-1995. He then served as V.P. of Harris Bank until 1998 and became regional manager of Ryland Mortgage, directing mortgage efforts in five states. In 2000, he joined Pulte Mortgage Company and later CTX Mortgage Company, where he worked for seven years. At 50, he decided to get hands-on in his new business, working on every floor. Now, fifteen years and literally thousands of floor projects later, the business has become Naperville’s highest-rated hardwood floor company with over 200 Five Star Google reviews.

Ray and his wife Kay have lived in Naperville for 32 years and have two grown children. Their daughter Laura lives and works in Germany for a Lithuanian company, Vinted, as a Senior Taxonomist. Their son, Fr. John, is a priest in the Diocese of Joliet and has been teaching at Bishop McNamara High School in Kankakee, IL for the past three years. He is also the school Chaplain and Assistant Soccer Coach. Ray and Kay also have a beloved dog, Cooper, a very hairy white and tan speckled medium-sized dog they rescued at A.D.O.P.T. in Naperville eleven years ago.

Our mission is to give our customers a positive floor renewal experience through a quicker, cleaner, more affordable alternative to traditional re-sanding. The Buff & Coat process is dustless, odorless, and done in a day. Our vision is for our customers to “love their hardwood floors again”!

We want homeowners to think of Buff & Coat not only when their floors need to be refreshed but before they become so worn and damaged that they require a full re-sanding. Ten years ago, we expanded our services to include installation and full sanding and refinishing services. You can see some of our work at the Naper Settlement Museum, including the Pre-Emption House.

Buff & Coat was founded over twenty years ago in Minnesota by David Varley, who wanted an alternative to the mess and expense of traditional re-sanding. He began franchising the company in 2008, and by 2014, all franchises became independent.

In 2010, Ray Horan was looking for a career change and discovered Buff & Coat at a franchise exposition. From his mortgage industry experience, he knew that hardwood floors were a popular upgrade for new homeowners and that Buff & Coat offered a hassle-free, dustless, odorless, and economical solution. He quickly became a fan of the process and decided to bring Buff & Coat to Illinois. Soon, he and his brother and sister-in-law, Greg and Eileen Strejc, were in business as the only Buff & Coat franchisee in Illinois. Greg serves as General Manager, and Eileen manages bookkeeping and special projects.

For the first 18 months, most of the work was done by Ray, Greg, and Eileen. When their first floor technician, Izzy, joined the company, business ramped up as they could handle more projects. Today, Buff & Coat has a team of five employees, including Tonya, the Office Manager, and long-time employees Hadeer and Syamend, who are the finishing experts with over fourteen years of combined experience.

Ray Horan is very involved with the community through his participation with the Knights of Columbus. He is active in St. Raphael’s parish and a fourth-degree Knight. Ray also contributes to various charitable activities, including fundraisers for A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter and community sponsorships.

Buff & Coat Service: This process removes scuffs and scratches from the topcoat finish on wood floors, giving the floor a fresh luster. It's dustless, odorless, and done in a day.

Full Re-sanding Service: For floors needing more than a Buff & Coat, this service removes deep scratches, replaces damaged boards, and allows for color changes.

Installation: Installing hardwood floors is a beautiful upgrade that adds value to your home and can last for decades with proper maintenance.

Next year, we celebrate 15 years in business! In addition to our thriving Buff & Coat business, we are expanding our full sanding services and spreading the word that we do hardwood floor installations.

The best hardwood cleaner is a solution of warm water and a little white vinegar. Avoid excessive water and harsh chemicals. Regular care and timely Buff & Coat treatments can keep floors looking new longer and enhance their beauty and value.

Ray Horan’s story is one of dedication, transformation, and community spirit. From the financial sector to the world of hardwood floor renewal, Ray’s journey exemplifies the power of embracing change and pursuing one's passion. Buff & Coat stands as a testament to his vision and hard work, continuing to brighten homes and lives, one floor at a time.