Wood Floor Refinishing

Our hardwood (oak) floors are in “eh” condition.  Ideally, we’d have them resanded and repolyurethaned.  Unfortunately, neither we, nor our contractor, thinks that the boards are thick enough to handle another sanding job.  He’s suggesting doing a very light refinishing–what he’s calling “screening”–consisting of very light sanding, just to rough up the first coat of poly, and then applying one new coat of polyurethane. Has anyone had this done?  What did you think?

BrooklynButler

in Carpenters and Woodworkers 13 years and 7 months ago

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carloswoodfloors | 13 years and 7 months ago

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Hi emilyroebling,   The process really depends on the current state of the floor.  So if several contractors have reviewed the floor and given you the advice for a very light refinishing  then it’s gotta be the way to go.  A light refinishing or “screening” consists of buffing the floors using #150, #180, or #220 grit screen paper (again depends on the current floor condition), then the contractor will vacuum and use a tack cloth to pick up ALL the dust and sanding residue .  The finish finsih if oil based should be one (1) coat, if water based then it should be two (2) coats.  Let me know if you need anymore information.  I’m available as well to review on-site if you like. Best, Carlos Salazar Inti Wood Floors carlos@intirenovation.com Cell: 646-418-0925 Photos of Brownstone project just completed in Fort Greene – Brooklyn (included floor refinishing). https://picasaweb.google.com/intiinteriorfinish/SouthElliotPlaceAlmostDone?authuser=0&feat=directlink

callalily | 13 years and 7 months ago

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I love Jose, highly recommend him. Also I would think you would want more than one coat. We used four of satin poly, would rec three coats if you’re doing gloss.

brokelin | 13 years and 7 months ago

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also, if you decide not to screen, or for later reference, I think the floors thin to finish thing refers to using those heavy mechanical sanders.  the nicest floors i have ever seen, one hundred plus years old parquet, were done by hand.   I was told by one contractor mine were too thin too sand, so had I ever decided to refinish them, I would have done them by hand.  But I like doing that kind of work, and am not usually in a hurry to get stuff done quickly.  done well, gives you a finish like fine furniture, noticeably different from well done machine sanded floors.

restorationcontractor | 13 years and 7 months ago

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Screening, retains the “character” in the finish/floor also.

daveinbedstuy | 13 years and 7 months ago

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I got that door from these guys….shipping was $350-400 if I remember.  Great guy to deal with.  Couldn’t find anything as nice as these around NYC… http://www.archantiquities.com/doors/?gclid=COigptzf65oCFR9hnAodhF2EBQ

daveinbedstuy | 13 years and 7 months ago

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I was told the same thing but the guy I hired lightly sanded them and we were able to stain them and then poly…..they turned out great.  have a look… http://marketplace.brownstoner.com/fsbo/1314034452-311-stuyvesant-ave-bedford-stuyvesant   Jose did them…917-355-7977

stevecym | 13 years and 7 months ago

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excellent choice for floors whose three lives are up.  We have done this often to floors which don’t need a full sanding, but can use a freshening and to floors which have seen their share of sandings.  Screening will not remove all of the finish and will not remove scratches in the wood – even with the heaviest screen, being a number 60.  But you will remove scratches in the existing poly.  Screen to 120 and apply a coat or screen again to 150 and apply another coat.  Steve