SERVICES
OUR SERVICES
PROFESSIONAL FLOOR SANDING AND WOOD FLOOR RESTORATION SERVICES THROUGHOUT HERTFORDSHIRE
All our contractors are fully trained and experienced in all aspects of floor sanding, floor polishing and wood floor restoration. If you know exactly what you want, that's great, but if you are unsure what is best for your floor or how to achieve the result you're looking for then we can discuss and explain in a free no obligation home visit. Below is a brief description of some of our services to help you understand what can be achieved with you floor sanding project. For more in depth information on individual projects check out our floor sanding blog.
FLOORBOARD SANDING AND RESTORATION
Floorboard sanding is becoming increasingly popular in recent years. It is quite normal for older, larger properties to have the original oak floorboards exposed and varnished, but what about the dirty pine boards lurking under the carpet? With our expertise we can transform any floorboards into a variety of different styles, from a fresh Nordic feel to a rustic distressed look.
Once we have fixed down any loose boards we simply sand off the top layer of wood removing any old varnish, dirt and scratches exposing the clean untouched wood beneath. Using our dust free machinery we then work through the grades of sand paper to achieve a nice smooth finish. From here we can apply whichever products are needed to achieve the desired finish.
PARQUET FLOOR SANDING AND RESTORATION
The restoration of parquet flooring is a bit more specialist and requires more care and expertise than floorboard sanding. A parquet floor should be the centre piece of any property lucky enough to have one, it is surprising how many have been covered over with carpet and forgotten about. It is very uncommon for us to find a parquet floor that cannot be restored to its former glory.
If there are any loose blocks we can ensure they are correctly stuck back down before we commence sanding. Once the top layer has been removed and the floor has been leveled any gaps between the blocks are filled with the dust from the floor mixed with a resin, this process is often overlooked by our competitors but it really helps create a perfect finish. We then continue to smooth the surface ensuring no scratches are visible leaving the floor ready to be finished with the required products.
GAP FILLING
There are two processes we use to fill gaps between floor boards or parquet blocks. If the gaps are more than 6mm wide we will use reclaimed pine strips which are glued between the joints then sanded flush with the floor. This is only used when refurbishing pine floor boards. The other method is to use the dust collected from the floor when sanding and mix it with an epoxy resin. The mixture is then pasted into the gaps and any excess sanded off when dry. The resin dries very hard and because we use the floor sanding dust, it gives a perfect colour match. We use this on pine floor boards when the gaps are smaller than 6mm or on parquet floors when gaps have started to appear. Gap filling is not essential and is dependent on what type of look you want to achieve. If you want a traditional or rustic look it may be best to leave the gaps as a feature. Gap filling can also be useful for stopping droughts or just if you prefer a completely sealed floor.
Here is an example of gap filling using dust and epoxy resin on pine floorboards. This was completed on one of our floor sanding projects.
FLOOR LACQUERING
A floor lacquer is a clear protective layer applied to the floor after the floor sanding process. It is also referred to as floor varnish or floor seal and comes in a variety of different sheens; matt, satin and gloss. A floor lacquer is simply applied using a roller to achieve a nice even coverage, three coats is usually enough, but for high traffic or commercial areas we might advise 4. We always use lacquers from the Bona range of which there are a variety of choices for different floors and desired looks. Lacquered floors are also very easy to clean and maintain which makes them very suitable for family homes and commercial spaces.
WOOD FLOOR OILING
A floor oil is an alternative to a floor lacquer and treats the wood rather than creating a film layer. Floor oils are worked into the floor with buffing machines and any excess is the buffed off to create a waterproof barrier, this gives a very natural finish to the floor. Oiled floors are not as hard wearing as lacquered floors and to keep them looking good they will need re-oiling more regularly. Hard-wax oils are also now available and have the same benefits of oil with a bit of added protection to make them a little more hard wearing.
WOOD FLOOR STAINING
Sometimes it may be desirable to change the colour of the natural wood in your floor. This can work very well with newer pine floors as the natural colour can sometimes be a bit yellow, adding a stain can give a deep, rich colour to the floor and bring out beautiful patterns in the grain. We can also make floors lighter with the Bona Nordic Lye treatment or stain them with funky colours from the Bona Create range.
Once the floor has been sanded the stain is applied to the floor before the final products are applied. It takes expertise to ensure an even finish when applying a stain and it is imperative the floor has been sanded to a high standard otherwise the stain will highlight any imperfections. All our craftsmen have been trained at Bona's UK Headquarters on how to use all their products in the correct way.
WOOD FLOOR MAINTENANCE
Once a floor has been refurbished or a new floor installed it is important to plan a maintenance schedule. If you want to keep the floor in tip-top condition for as long as possible, it is necessary to have it re-sealed or re-oiled when it starts to look a bit dull and tired. If the floor is left to deteriorate the only option will be to have it sanded back to bare wood again which takes a lot longer and inevitably is a lot more expensive. To re-seal a floor we use our Bona Power Scrubber to remove any dirt and contaminants, give it a light buff and apply two fresh coats of seal. This can normally be done in one day and will reduce the need for floor sanding, prolonging the life of the floor. Re-oiling is done using the same process with oil instead of lacquer. Depending on the use of the floor it should not need resealing for approximately 4 years after sanding or installation. Here are two great links from Bona on how to look after your floor, cleaning and tips & solutions
