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Sanding and Polishing

The Interior speak for themselves
sanding-polishing-services

The Basics

One of the most basic way to revitalise your floor is to sand and polish.

All other colouring procedures require sanding and polishing as a pre-requisite and even though it is the simplest process, it has a massive effect on how the final floor looks.

That’s why at Iconic Timber Floor Sanding we take better care to remove the minimal amount of the top timber layer and use professional dust-free equipment to reduce the amount of airborne dust and take extra care to polish the floor with top line polishing and buffer machines.

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Process

Overall Process

01 Assessing the floor condition

Before you decide on the floor renovation process, you will need to check if the current existing timber floor is susceptible for treatment. Most timber floor can be sanded and polished. As listed below:

  • Most traditional solid timber flooring in original condition. Such as Baltic pine, hardwood, parquetry and cork.
  • Some high quality engineered flooring with the top layer consisting of solid timber at more than 3mm in thickness.

With these conditions met- we can even sand down 100 year old Baltic pine timber floor; brining a whole new interior come alive.

However, the flooring below cannot be sanded.
  • Laminated flooring- as it is not timber but compressed paper
  • Floating timber with less than 3mm top layer being solid timber- if sanded down the top layer will erode and the plywood backing will be visible.
  • Chip board- it is possible but not recommended to sand as the overall cost will outweigh the final cosmetic outcome.
  • Solid timber with the top layer being of less than 2mm in thickness. Normally found in old buildings where the timber flooring has already been sanded down 3-4 times. In this case, it is recommended that the timber be replaced, the only way to prevent replacing is to lightly polish with penetrating oil. This method has a few cons in attribute but a plausible method.

02 Timing

A standard sized residential floor of around 80m2 will take around 3-7 business days to sand and polish, and another 3-5 days to dry and cure before the furniture can be brought back on top.

Of course, depending on your preferences- different finish products requires varying drying and curing timelines.Please let us know if time critical factor in the success of the project

03Job Scope

  • Punching and putty; counter sinking visible floor nails below the surface of the timber
  • Sanding; sanding down the existing timber floor which usually consists of 3 or 4 ‘passes’. Each pass is completed with an increasing grit sand paper. From 40 to 80-100 and polishing with a much higher ‘fine’ grit paper. This depends on the type of timber and the desired results.
  • Treatment/ colouring/ tinting- our main focus and expertise is to create specific colour profiles which fits our clients desires.
    1. Whether it is to lighten- using our bleaching and liming processes- to brighten a space
    2. Or to darken using our direct dye staining in custom colours to create a dramatic and/or warm setting.
    3. Or a mix of both specifically requested by our many client.
  • Finishing- the hardwood timber are finished with our many different finish options. From natural penetrating oils, wax, or non-toxic polyurethane. This is an essential process to both protect the timber, and improve durability.

04Site preparation by owner/ clients

  • Please ensure that normal electrical and water supply is working and accessible for us.
  • All furniture to be removed.
  • All floor coverings including carpet, vinyl, tiles, concrete, etc. Don’t forget staples, tack and glue. If needed- We at Iconic Timber Floor Sanding can provide a complete covering removal service.
  • For best results- please seal airways such as fireplaces, and draft windows which may allow dust to enter the room.
  • We would recommended that all painting apart from the final coat on skirting boards to be completed. This would eliminate the need to possibly touch up the skirting as minor scuffs marks may occur.
conditions

Pre-Existing conditions examples

We always try to present an excellent result. However, certain timber conditions can reflect in the final result. Please see common pre-existing conditions.

Physical Timber Wear
Although surface peeling, light scratches can be sanded and removed. Any deep scratching- for example; made with carpet knives- cannot be 100% completely removed. However, we can apply a solid finish to protect from further.
Water Damage
Certain percentage can be repaired- depending on how deep the water damage has permeated through the timber. We would suggest a opaque colouring such as liming to cover.
Various Timber Types
With extensions, additions, adjustments to homes with history; it is expected that different timber types are used. With a mixture of bleaching, liming, staining- it is possible to match similar timbers to match together.
Damaged Baltic pine
Deep black marks within certain timbers, commonly with Baltic Pine timber, are marks that penetrate deep into the timber. Thus, no matter how many sanding passes are made it cannot be removed without replacing the entire timber.
Important note

Important note for client

  • Please consider alternative accommodation during the work timeframe.
  • Please remember that during the job- apart from us, both clients and other labourers cannot walk on the floor without possibly compromising the final outcome.
  • Some chemicals onsite are hazardous and can create fumes which are harmful without proper PPE/ training.
  • Please do not expect deep cuts such from carpet knives or deep gouges in-between boards to be removed.
  • Please do not expected stains derived from water damage and/or other deep damages to be removed.
  • The length-way gap between boards are not filled, as subsequent expansion and shrinking in timber causes cracks which are not pleasant visibly.
  • Please do not expect putted or borer marks to have the same final gloss level/ blended finish as the timber surrounding. Although we would do our best to match as closely as possible. Iconic Timber Floor Sanding does offer a special service for borer-damaged Baltic pine.
  • Although we use premium sanding machinery which are fitted with dust collecting equipment, it is impossible to completely eliminate all dust from most timber floor finishes. Thus there might be light dust found within the property.
  • In certain circumstances- particles of dust may settle on the newly finished surface.
  • Any silicone or silicone based product that comes into contact with the floor after the sanding and polishing process has compete will cause a rejected within the finishing layers. Which means that the final coat will possibly flake or will not remain as long as its normal expected life expectancy.
  • Despite the best efforts of our careful sanding professionals. Our clients might find slight marks on skirting boards which is from our edging machine. This is why we highly recommend leaving painting the skirting till after our project has completed.
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