Sanding and polishing
Sanding a variety of solid timber floors, floating floors, particleboard and parquetry is our bread and butter. You can also have your existing flooring sanded, after it had been previously covered. Once it had been rid of previous coverings, we often find suitable wood hiding beneath. Floor sanding usually involves three stages: Preparation, sanding and coating with desired finish.
All our sanding jobs are completed with specialized sanding machines, tools and equipment, which allows us to work clean and without dust. The areas where we can't reach with large machines such as edges, corners and stairs, we sand with a smaller machine called an edger. A finishing machine is then used for the final sanding.
Preparation:
All nails, which are protruding above the boards, need to be punched in, as they can severely damage the sanding machine. We remove the staples or tacks, which were once used to fasten previous coverings (if any), so we reduce the possibility of any damage to the floor. Any adhesives will also need to be properly removed as they would clog sanding papers and running gear of the machines. Some of these adhesives, while still attached, make sanding impossible. Only after making sure the floor was thoroughly prepared, we can start with the sanding.
Sanding:
The first sand is done with a course grit paper to remove any old products and to make the floor flat and even. This is also how we reduce the differences in height between the boards. The large sanders are used across the grain of the timber. The areas which cannot be reached by the large sanders, are sanded by an edger, using the same grit paper as the rest of the floor. If any filling of knot holes/damages is required, this is the stage where this is usually done.
Finish:
We offer and work with many products, to make sure we find the best and the most suitable finish that will work for your household and the type of wood. When it comes to coating the floors, a lot of things need to be taken into consideration and this is where our expertise is invaluable. Together with our clients, we will help with choosing the right product.
We have extensive experience in all wood species and which products they work the best with, so we can professionally advise on durability, maintenance and achieving desired looks.
There are many options:
These days there are many products on the market to choose from. You can do so based on colours, environment or durability.
We work with the best products on the market.
Clients have the option of water-base, oil base, hybrids, natural, raw tinted coloured and many more...
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF DIFFERENT COATING SYSTEMS
Polyurethane
Advantages:
- durability and flexibilty
- abrasion resistance ability
- performance in extreme weather
- low maintenance
Disadvantages:
- toxic fumes
- longer drying time
- no option of rejuvenation
- yellows timber over time
Water based products
Advantages:
- doesnt change timber colour
- not toxic
- quicker drying comparing to poly
- option of rejuvenating with maintenance
Disadvantages:
- requires more maintenance
- bit less durable than poly
- might peel and crack if not applied properly
Oil products
Advantages:
- penetrates into the wood deeper
- based on natural ingredients
- lowest VOC's
- can be rejuvenated to make it longer lasting
Disadvantages:
- enhances timber colour
- requires more maintenance
- needs to be reapplied
- natural oil is sensitive to harsh chemicals (can peel or crack when cleaning with strong products)
There are other hybrid products that combine strengths of 2 different coating systems..
like Osmo oils combination of oil and wax to create protective film resistant to water and other liquids
or Loba Hybrid that is combination of oil and water.