Hardwood Floors Unlimited

Installation:
A general inspection of the site is usually necessary to determine exactly what needs to be done, and to create an accurate price quotation. Some common variables are:

We need a dry, smooth subfloor and if necessary we sand it and clean it thoroughly for preparation.
A suitable subfloor that is at least 5/8" thick.
In some instances we can leave vinyl flooring down if the sub floor is thick enough, and if the vinyl is in good condition.
Particle board & waffle board must be removed.
We decide a game plan on the best way to install the flooring to suit the room.

After we have determined the most appropriate plan, we help our customers pick out the type of wood, finish and grain pattern. Installation takes 1 to 3 days depending on the area being floored.

Sanding:
Sanding an existing wood floor usually consists of (2 - 4) passes. Each pass is done with a different grit of sand paper, with a final pass using a very fine 100 - 120 grit, depending on the type of wood being sanded. We stock sandpapers with grits of: 16, 24, 36, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100 and 120. The lower the number the coarser the grit. Our professional refinishers select the proper combination of sandpapers needed for the job.

Stains:
Our high quality stains come in a variety of shades and patinas. They are designed to penetrate and seal the wood, while adding luxurious color. A coat of stain takes the place of a polyurethane coat. Example: one coat of stain with two coats of polyurethane is needed to complete a finishing job. A natural finish takes three coats of polyurethane with no stain coat.

Sealers:
We use two types of polyurethane sealers:

Oil based: 90% of the finishing jobs use an oil base poly, which has a light honey patina that adds to the beauty of the wood and brings out the natural woodgrain patterns.
Water Based: Usually a clear finish that enhances the beauty of the grain without adding any color. Water based is used in situations where a light colored wood needs to meld into the decorating scheme of the room. Note: there is a water based poly available that does add a slight amber tone to the wood.

The Finishing Process:
Generally, finishing a hardwood floor takes three coats applied over a period of three days, however, if humidity levels are high, it could take an additional day to complete the process.

After the floors are sanded and cleaned, we apply the first coat of either stain or polyurethane (depending upon the desired finish). We allow the coat to dry over night and when it is sufficiently hard, we lightly sand the coat with a fine grit sandpaper (100 - 120 grit) to knockdown the grain, and to create a surface that will allow the next coat to adhere properly. The second coat of polyurethane is applied and allowed to dry overnight. The process is continued until all three coats have been applied leaving a beautiful hardwood floor that will last for years.