WHAT TO AND WHAT NOT TO EXPECT

The following information pretty much sums up what the flooring industry considers acceptable practice and can be found on many flooring and coating related sites.

 WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM FLOORS PROFESSIONALLY SANDED AND COATED

  Quality sanding and coating.

  All visible nails punched and filled using an appropriate colour timber putty. Putty colour will approximate the colour of the darker boards within a floor.

  Nail holes, knot holes and gaps at the end boards to be filled with appropriate filler.

   Some variation in colour and grain between new and old boards.

   Black japanning or stain around the perimeter of some older timber may produce a finished floor with a two-tone effect.

   All timber floors will expand and contract according to the environment.  Floor movement is quite normal and to be expected.

   A coating that will provide many years of beauty providing that it is properly maintained.

   Some lighting, particularly down lights will produce a visible, fine, circular scratched effect on the floor. High gloss finishes will tend to accentuate this effect that often reduces over time.

   Some slight markings on skirting boards from contact with the edger machine.

   Any silicone and other products on a floor may cause rejection with subsequent coats of polyurethane.  Silicone or silicone based products include; Fabulon, Hair Spray, Fly Spray, Cleaning Agents etc.

 WHAT NOT TO EXPECT FROM FLOORS PROFESSIONALLY SANDED AND COATED

   A completely dust free finish.  It is impossible to have a 'clean room' environment and so there will always be some dust particles in the air that may settle on the wet coating. These dust particles will appear as small "stipples" in the finished floor surface that will walk off quite quickly in traffic areas.

   Removal of deep cuts such as those from carpet trimming knives or deep gouges in the boards. This deep cuts & gouges will often appear darker in colour.

   Removal of all stains by the sanding process. Animal urine stains and water marks within the boards and around nail holes are often impossible to successfully sand out.

   Filling of gaps between the boards.  These gaps are not filled because subsequent shrinkage and expansion in the timber will often cause cracking in the filler....Learn more

   Do not expect boards damaged by borers or other insects to have the same gloss level as those in good condition. The gloss level on insect effected boards will almost always be lower.

   Do not expect any areas filled with putty to have the same feel as the timber after application of coatings.

   All paintwork should be properly dry before application of polyurethane to the floor. It is best to leave most paints 2 weeks to fully cure.
(Refer to paint manufacturers directions).