Floor Renovations - The Artisan Guide for Floor Sanding
Restoring distressed wooden floors is a very rewarding, highly skilled process that can transform an old or damaged floor almost to its original condition.
After years of neglect wood floorboards or parquet blocks can become heavily scratched, punctured by gripper rods or obscured by layers of wax and polish.
Alternatively wood floors can be scratched accidentally by careless tradesmen and delivery men.
Whatever the situation Artisan Timber and Flooring will undertake your entire floor restoration project using the following procedures:-
Survey & Estimate preparation
The first step is to calculate the length of time needed. Please email or phone us with measurements of the rooms to be restored so that we can give you a provisional estimate.
If you are happy with our initial quote we will come out and survey your floor to see if extra materials and work is required. For instance Items such as missing or loose blocks and cork strip will increase the price and some floors may be deemed irreparable.
Following a detailed survey we will confirm a final price to you.
Getting ready for sanding
All furniture and fabrics should be removed from the rooms being restored. Although our machines generate very minimal dust cupboards and doors should be taped up and existing floor coverings need to be uplifted then removed.
After this we punch down any raised nails and fixings then fix down or replace any loose or broken planks, blocks or cork strip.
We are now ready to begin the floor sanding operation using our top of the range Lagler belt sander for large areas and an edge sander in borders and corners. We start using a coarse grit to remove the worst marks from the floor then gradually work our way down through medium and fine grit sanding belts.
During the sanding stage sanding dust is mixed with a resin filler to fill any cracks and holes in the floor resulting in a high quality smooth finish in the newly sanded floor.
Once the sanding stage has been completed the floor is swept, vacuumed and dry-mopped prior to the application of any stains selected by the client.
The floor is now ready to receive its’ protective coating.
Finishes & Seals etc
After the wooden floor has been sanded, it needs to be protected with a wood floor seal. Some people might call this wood floor varnish, but in professional terms, varnish is only one type of wood floor seal.
The quality of the seal that goes onto your floor is perhaps the most important part of the entire sanding process. Never skimp on your sanding project by choosing a cheap, inferior seal.
A cheap seal will result in greater expense due to the need for frequent re-sands.
Quality seals protect the finished wood, offering a stain resistant durable finish that should, with the correct maintenance, last years.
Please see our chart below to help you decide on your floor finish:
Description Parquet One -Waterborne lacquer, single component based on 100% polyurethane dispersion. Drying time: 1 ½ hours between coats (normal conditions at 20˚C 60%RH) Curing time: Approx 3 days for furniture Coverage: 40-50m2 per 5 Litre No. of coats required: 2-4 depending on traffic |
Advantages
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Disadvantages
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Parquet Performance – A single component waterborne lacquer, exhibiting the properties expected from most two pack systems. Drying time: 1 ½ hours between coats (normal conditions at 20˚C 60%RH) Curing time: Approx 3 days for furniture Coverage: 40-50m2 per 5 Litre No. of coats required: 2-4 depending on traffic
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Osmo Hardwax Oil – 100% natural and environmentally friendly wax oil, made from Linseed oil, Carnauba wax, Candelilla wax, Sunflower oil, Soybean oil and Thistle oil. Does not contain biocides or preservatives; safe for humans, animals and plants when dry Coverage: 1 Litre will cover approx 12m2 based on two coats No. of coats required: Minimum of 2 Drying time: 8-12 hours |
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How Long Will My Seal Last?
As long as you take good care of it and under normal domestic traffic conditions typical re-coating times:
- a part acrylic seal should last 3+ years
- a high traffic seal should last 5+ years
- an oil will need touching up once every year, if not sooner.
These timings are approximate and depend on the volume of traffic and the type of shoes that go over the floor. If you really want your floors to last you might consider making the house a shoe-free zone!
Hint: recoat your floor before the seal has worn through and you will avoid costly re-sanding.