Updated April 25, 2021

Buffing or Screening 

Buffing or screening of hardwood floors is a simple process often referred to as a maintenance coating. The beauty is the speed in completion; taking about a day for an average size room. A screening or buffing uses a fine grit of sandpaper only loosening up the top layer of the polyurethane. This is a great way to remove surface scratches and dirt from your floors. An application of polyurethane adds a coat of protection and sparkle back to your hardwood floors!

When A Full Sanding is Recommended

Buffing or screening will not address deep scratches, gouges, dents or stains on your hardwood floors. Once scratches or stains have have penetrated below the surface layer of the wood the floors will require a full sanding.

Be Careful When Cleaning

The importance of cleaning products used on hardwood floors is underrated. There are so many products on the market now that it is no wonder consumers are confused. Basically any cleaning products with oil soap, wax  or silicone will interfere with polyurethane adhering to the hardwood floors. A few products to avoid: Murphy’s Oil Soap, Pledge, Mop and Glow, Orange Glo, Zep. Remember to be mindful when cleaning your hardwood floors as the maintenance coating will not adhere to the floor’s surface due to the build-up.

Indications for Full Sanding 

A full sanding is required to liven up hardwood floors when they are worn down and little to no finish remains or gray patches are evident. With major renovations and repairs often a full sanding is required. Some homeowners wish to change the flooring color in a room. Hardwood floors must be sanded in order to alter a flooring color.

Refinishing or Full Sanding

The refinishing process involves using different grits of sand paper to remove any old finish, scratches and/or embedded dirt within the wood floor. This procedure can address any deep scratches on the wood floors. After the hardwood is completely sanded a rotary screening is completed to ensure a smooth surface. The floor is then vacuumed, and tacked (passed over with a dampened towel) to remove any dust, prior to stain or finishing polyurethane being applied. Typical three coatings of polyurethane are applied to the wood floors during the refinishing process. Customers choose from a satin, semi-gloss or gloss finish.

Maintenance

The maintenance coating procedure can help prolong the length of time between a full sanding or refinishing of your wood floors.  Over time, the top protective layer of finish will wear down.  This in turn leaves the wood more vulnerable to scratches and floors can dull.   The key is to have your floors buffed and re-coated before they get deep scratches or too worn.

Improve Home Curb Appeal

Selling? Adding shine to your hardwood floors prior to listing with a broker will give a great first impression to potential buyers when they enter your home. The added life and luster of your floors is sure to increase your homes appeal and may speed up the sale.

Frequency of Maintenance Coatings

How often your hardwood floors need a maintenance coating depends on foot traffic. Kitchens that are heavily used may need this procedure every year but for average usage every 3 -4 years is the recommendation.