Floors too worn to be sanded?
Moving into a 1,000 sq. ft pre-war apt c.1914 with original oak floors. They looked a little sad, scratched and black in certain areas so we wanted to refinish. Got 2 reasonable quotes (one from Verrazano) for sanding, staining and 2 coats of poly. Tried to get a third estimate from East Side Floors, but…
Moving into a 1,000 sq. ft pre-war apt c.1914 with original oak floors. They looked a little sad, scratched and black in certain areas so we wanted to refinish. Got 2 reasonable quotes (one from Verrazano) for sanding, staining and 2 coats of poly. Tried to get a third estimate from East Side Floors, but the guy came over, took one look at the floors and said they were too worn and thin to be sanded. He pointed out places where the previous owners had filled cracks and gaps with that putty stuff and said these would only spread with sanding.
I read an earlier post on here that said this is a ploy floor co.’s use to try to upsell you on putting in new floors, but this guy only suggested that I have them steel-wooled and waxed (for a fraction of the cost of refinishing.)
Does this sound right to anyone? Alternatively, does anyone know of another floor co. I can get another opinion from?
I would really appreciate any suggestions. Thanks
I found someone who said he would repair the areas that are cracked and and then do a light sanding + 3 coats of poly. He seems to think the floors are overall in good shape, except for the specific areas that he will address. He came highly recommended and will do the work himself. He said he would screen instead if I wanted but feels that the floors can be sanded. Seems like a good compromise but I’m still a bit hesitant… should I opt for the screening?
I don’t like the idea of wax.
Check into screening and poly. If it does not peek, it will last for many more years than one. If it does peel, you’ll get at least a year out of it and you’re in no worse a situation than you are now.
ps – opting for the $1,000.00 for an annual process seems “penny wise / pound foolish” to me.
Thanks for the feedback. I definitely do not want to put in new floors. So, as an alternative to refinishing, do you guys think the steel-wool & waxing idea is a good one? It is about $1,000 and sound like it is an annual process.
depending on how many times a floor has been refinished, they can definitely get too thin. in a 3/4″ t&g board there is only about 1/4″ of refinishable surface before you get to the tongue. 3+ sandings can get you there pretty quick.
Go with Verrazano. The floors are most probably not too thin to sand. As I have said in previous posts: the refinishing companies hate dealing with the nail heads (of the old, top nailed floors) that constantly rip up the sandpaper. So instead of refinishing they tell you that the floors are too thin and replace them with 3/4″ toung and groove that are not nailed through the top of the boards. 7/16″ flooring IS available (though many people will tell you that you can’t get it anymore – once again because it must be top nailed.)
1) new floors never have the aged look of old floors
2) if you are meeting new floors and old floors they are both different thicknesses 7/16″ vs. 3/4″
3) the old floors sill have life left
I would suggest a screening and two coats of poly except that if was was ever used since the last full sanding the poly will not adhere properly and will peel.
I have always suggested a full sanding with two coats of poly (3 in a kitchen). Then every several years (depending on wear – kids, pets, shoes) screen and reapply the poly.
NOTE: if you decide to rip out the old floors, please do so with care and post the old flooring here on Brownstowner.
There are loads of people who would love old flooring for new areas and patching repairs. The new stuff available today is not the same.
Hope this helps!