Recoating wood floors - What is a screen and recoat?
Screening and buffing are the same thing. They are synonyms for each other, and both mean that you “scuff up” or abrade the floor, and then you apply a coat of polyurethane for protection and sheen. Screening is often called buffing, since the screening is done with a buffer. Screening both smooths the floors a bit, and the abrasive action allows the polyurethane to adhere to the surface better. The screen and recoat process can restore the glow of the floors and give them a refreshed look.
Some customers call this a “light sanding,” but technically, it’s a screen and recoat since you are not sanding the wood, but rather are just sanding the top layer of polyurethane. Other customer refer to this as “adding a top coat” or a “buff and coat.”
When you screen and recoat hardwood floors, you have the options of changing the gloss level of the finish. So, if your floors are too glossy and you want more of a satin look you can do that (or vice versa).
Screening (or buffing) will not address deep scratches or changes in color. If you have a stain on the floor and scratches that have penetrated down to the raw wood, the screening will not help with this. It is simply adding on a coat of clear protection on the floors
Screening will save you money, labor and time. Not only will a screen and recoat help refresh your floors, but it will also postpone the need for a complete sanding and refinishing later.
Screening will save you money, labor and time. Not only will a screen and recoat help refresh your floors, but it will also postpone the need for a complete sanding and refinishing later.
When will screening not work?
• Screening will not work on waxed floors as it can not adhere properly to the surface. Also, it will not work well if you have used products that have wax in them (e.g. mop and glo or orange glo).
• If the floors have worn down past the color (and/or you have portions of the floors that are gray from oxidation), screening is not the right process. Instead, it's time for a full sand and refinish.
• If you want to change the color of your floors. in order to change the color of your floors, you need to sand the floors completely down to the raw hardwood and then apply the stain.
• If you have gray patches on the floor, it's too late for a screening
• A screening will not address UV discoloration under area rugs
How does screening work?
Unlike sanding and refinishing, screening just scuffs up the floor and is relatively clean. It is a faster, and hence less expensive process as well. After the floors are screened, we then apply 1 coat of polyurethane - either oil based or water based polyurethane - either oil based or water based polyurethane can be used. The buffer has a mesh that is embedded with abrasive particles - just enough to allow proper bonding for the new coat of poly. It is basically the last step of the sanding process.
Individual board repairs
Our professionals also do individual board repairs. If you have a floor that you had installed already and there are worn areas, damaged boards, or popping areas, we can come in and isolate the area and complete individual repairs.
Deck refinishing
We remove the existing finish by completely sanding the surface of the desks, and apply new stain and sealer.