Floor Sanding Guide | Polaco Craftsmanship Floors

SANDING & COATING OF TIMBER FLOORS

The purpose of this website is to provide information that will assist you, the customer, in preparing to have your floors sanded and finished and to give you an understanding of what is reasonable to expect from a Professional Craftsman.

Customer Guide

PREPARATION FOR SANDING & COATING

If building or renovating, the start date for sanding and coating of floors is critical particularly in relation to other trades.
Carpentry, electrical, plastering, plumbing and glazing must be completed before work on the floor can start.
Any silicone or silicone based product/s which comes into contact with the floor after sanding but prior to any of the 3 coats will cause rejection of the coating. Silicone is often found on the footwear of plumbers and glaziers.
It is recommended that all painting except the final coat on skirting boards be completed. The final coat can be applied to skirtings after completion of the floor.
Carpets should be laid after all floor coating is finished.
Unless specifically agreed to and quoted for, all furniture should be removed, together with all floor coverings (including staples, tacks, etc.).
Gas and electrical appliances are to be disconnected by qualified personnel and removed. All pilot lights (including hot water system) are to be turned off.
Adequate lighting and power to be available.
Arrangements made for clear and safe access to the site.
In many instances arrangements should be made for alternative accommodation, bearing in mind the wet floor areas which cannot be walked on.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WHEN

YOUR FLOORS ARE PROFESSIONALLY COATED

Sanding and finishing a beautiful timber floor is a skill acquired over many years. Bear in mind that, as all the work is done by hand controlled machines and applicators, there will be evidence of this in the floor. To a professional Craftsman, sanding and coating a floor is an Art form.

Further, as you live on the floor it will gain a character and feel that is unique to your home. This is all part of the beauty of owning a timber floor.

Your professional floor sanding Craftsman should give you:

A thorough explanation of the work to be carried out at the time of quote. Some information might come as a surprise to you, especially where certain damages to the timber floor cannot be removed or repaired. You should receive all information in relation to your project, whether it’s bad or good news
A comprehensive quote detailing all work to be carried out, including type coating. All this should be itemized on your estimate.
Expert sanding & coating. See Polaco FloorsTechnica page
Nails punched.
Nail holes, knot holes and gaps at the end of the boards to be filled with appropriate filler.

A coating that is safe, non-toxic and hard wearing and will provide many years of beauty, providing it is properly maintained

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WHAT NOT TO EXPECT

A completely dust free environment. Modern sanding machinery is fitted with dust collecting equipment, that 98% efficient, as long as dust bags are emptied regularly and the machines are maintained. Further, professional Craftsman will endeavor to clean dust away by vacuuming and wiping down surfaces. It is virtually impossible however to totally eliminate dust from the job site which has a couple of consequences:

there will always be some dust particles that settle on the newly finished surface
there will be an amount of dust throughout the rest of the house. Isolation of other areas remains the sole responsibility of the owner. See Floor Sanding – Isolation page

Removal of deep cuts such as those from carpet trimming knives or deep gouges in the boards. See Floor Sanding - Enigmas page
Removal of stains from within the boards and around nail holes, such as rust, animal urine and other water marks. See Floor Sanding – Enigmas page
Filling gaps between the boards. These gaps are NOT filled because subsequent shrinkage & expansion in the timber will cause cracking in the filler and may in turn lead to cracking and peeling of the coating. See Floor Sanding – Enigmas page
Do not expect boards damaged by borer to have the same feel as the timber after the application of the coating. See Floor Sanding – Enigmas page
Do not expect any areas filled with putty to have the same feel as the timber after the application of coatings.

PREPARATION HINTS FOR THE HOME OWNER

Seal any access areas such as fireplaces and vents that could allow dust to enter the room - use "3M-ScotchGuard" - Blue masking tape and Plastic drop sheets. See Polaco Floors Isolation page
Cover light fittings to prevent dust from gathering on them.
Fold curtains into plastic garbage bags and seal at the top.
Cover all non-moveable furnishings using plastic drop sheets, drop sheets.

Timber :

Natual & Beautiful.

Every piece of wood has a unique colour and structure, radiating energy, strength and life. Let yourself be inspired! Choose specific timber that suits you, and let yourself be charmed by the timless beauty of natural flooring materials.

0402 997 417

THINGS YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF

Any silicone, oils and any other thinning or liquid damages on exposed timber floor may cause rejection/s of subsequent coats of any coating type.
Low-voltage lighting, i.e. 12v down lights, may enhance / show light buffing marks / effects on the coating.
You may get slight marking/s on skirting boards from contact with sanding machinery. That’s why it is recommended to leave final painting of skirtings until after the floors are finished

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