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FAQs
Site-finishing FAQs
1.) What type of finish do you use?
We use Bona hardwood coating products. Bona`s industry-leading waterborne finishes and sealers have always been VOC-compliant and healthier for people and the environment than most other finishes. Providing the highest quality, cleanest finishing process available, Bona protects your health and the environment, while assuring the ultimate in durability and beauty for hardwood floors.
2.) Do I need to move out of my home to have the floors refinished?
In order to renovate your floors, everything has to be removed off of them so this in itself can be disruptive to your regular living routine. While it is not necessary for most people to move out of their home during a floor renovation, we do recommend for our clients to try and align their flooring renovations with dates they plan to be out of their home (i.e. vacations, possession dates, etc.). In addition, there may be some allergens stirred up during the renovation and the sanding operation can be quite noisy.
3.) Will there be strong fumes when the stains and finishes are applied?
There is limited smell to the Bona waterborne finishes that we use. Moreover, the Bona finishes are GREENGUARD certified for indoor air quality. If you decide to get a stain applied to your floor, then you can expect to smell some fumes which will be similar to the smell of paint.
4.) How long does it take to my have my floors refinished?
To give a more accurate timeline, we would need to look at the job as there are several variables that can change the timeline of the job. These variables include: size, layout, level of wear and tear to the existing floor, amount of prep work required, the type of job (i.e. commercial vs. residential), whether you are adding a stain, etc.
5.) What kind or preparation do I need to do before having my floors refinished?
All furniture, rugs, drapes, and knick-knacks need to be removed from the rooms that are being refinished. We also recommend for you to remove your wall hangings as the sanding machines create vibration and could cause items to rattle and fall. In addition, if you are tearing out carpet that is over top of the existing hardwood and you are electing to complete this prep work yourself, all nails and/or staples from the carpet need to be removed from the floor. Lastly, pets should also be temporarily relocated to somewhere more comfortable for them as the sanding machines can be quite noisy and disturbing to them and they are also highly sensitive to smells.
6.) How long do I need to wait to move furniture back onto the newly finished floor?
Water based finishes take the least amount of time to cure. Typically you can put your house back in order within 24 hours after the final coat has been applied to your floor. In more humid conditions, the curing time may increase slightly. We recommend waiting 1 - 3 weeks before putting area rugs back in place.
Other FAQs
1.) Should I have a humidifier installed if I am putting hardwood in my home?
Absolutely! The ideal humidity level of your home is between 35 – 45%. Realistically this is difficult to maintain in dryer climates and during winter months, even with a humidifier, so at minimum try to maintain the humidity between 30 – 35%. Wood will naturally expand and shrink with climate changes and a humidifier can help reduce the shrinking which also helps avoid gaps appearing between the boards.
2.) What kind of subfloor do I need?
A minimum thickness of 5/8″ plywood or 3/4″ OSB is required which is standard builder subfloor.
3.) Will I need to get additional subfloor installed?
We may need to install an additional subfloor in order to raise the hardwood floor to meet adjoining floor coverings’ height (most linoleum and tile floors have an additional subfloor and carpet typically does not).
4.) Do my baseboards have to come off?
Yes, in most cases they will need to be removed. They are usually raised up from their original place hiding unsightly paint ridges.
5.) Do my casings around my door frames need to come off?
No. East2West will undercut your casings and slide our wood underneath to give a clean, finished look.
6.) Are the bevels on pre-finished hardwood hard to clean?
The deeper the bevel, the more chance for dirt or crumbs to roll into them which are then harder to clean. The smaller bevel will collect little or no dirt. Best practice is to always sweep or vacuum to remove grit before you wash your floors.
7.) Do I paint before or after my flooring install or refinishing?
We recommend that you paint prior to having your floors installed or refinished as there is less chance of damaging your newly installed or refinished floors.