If you have hardwood flooring or if you are planning to get hardwood flooring, there are a few things that you need to be aware of. Recoating and screening hold a prominent place for them. Before getting in touch with a specialist to refinish hardwood floors in Hamilton, you need to have a solid understanding of what recoating and screening is all about. Continue to read and we will be sharing additional information that you need to be aware of.
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What Exactly Is a Screen?
A screen refers to a mesh covered with coarse particles, which is not aggressive like sandpaper. You will be able to find a lesser number of coarse particles in a screen when compared to sandpaper. You will be using a screen for the screening process.
When you are screening with the help of a screen, you will be using thicker, soft pads. During this process, a smaller amount of the pre-existing finish will be removed from your hardwood flooring. As a result, you will be able to find more than enough texture for the newer polyurethane coating to bond as well.
Recoating and Screening
Now you have a basic understanding of what a screen is all about. Screening is the process where you will be using a screen to refinish your hardwood flooring. In other words, you will be using a screen in order to abrade or scuff up your floor. Then you will go ahead with the recoating process. That’s where you will be applying a coating of polyurethane on your hardwood flooring. This new polyurethane coating will help your hardwood flooring to sheen while enhancing its overall protection of it.
The screening process is often called buffing. That’s because you will be using a buffer in order to proceed with the screening process. This overall process can smooth your flooring. Then the abrasive action would get polyurethane in order to adhere to the surface in a better way. At the end of the day, you can use the screening and recoating process in order to restore the proper glow of your flooring. On top of that, you can end up with a refreshed look as well.
When Should You Go Ahead With Recoating and Screening?
You need to keep in mind that recoating and screening will not be able to help you with addressing all the problems that you have with your hardwood floor. For example, it will not be in a position to address any of the deep scratches that you have. Even if you have deep stains, which have penetrated through raw wood, you will not be able to address the issue with recoating and screening.
With the screening and recoating process, you will just be adding a clear coat to protect your flooring. In other words, it is pretty much similar to applying nail polish on our nails. It will provide additional gloss to your nails and help you with preserving nail polish.
The recoating and screening process will help you to save a considerable amount of money in the long run. It will assist you with refreshing the floors. On top of that, you will be able to stay away from refinishing and sanding in the near future as well.
What Is It like to Screen Your Flooring?
The screening process is quite different when compared to refinishing process. That’s because the screening process will only be able to scuff up your floor. You should be doing it on a relatively clean floor. The results you get out of screening will be fast. As a result, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on it as well.
After screening the floor, you will be proceeding with the recoating process. This is where one coat of polyurethane is applied to the floor. It can be water-based polyurethane or oil-based polyurethane. The buffer would have a mesh, which is embedded in abrasive particles. This is more than enough to create an ideal environment for the new polyurethane coating to bond perfectly well with the flooring. The process of applying a polyurethane coating is usually the final step associated with the sanding process.
How Long Does It Take For Screening And Recoating?
It is possible for you to go through the screening and recoating process within a day. However, it depends on the extent of hardwood flooring that you have at home. After the screening and recoating process, you will need to allow it to dry for a duration of 24 hours. If you use a water-based polyurethane coating, there is no need to wait for 24 hours, as it will get dried within just 4 hours.
Before you proceed with the screening and recoating process, you will need to move your furniture. In case you use an oil-based polyurethane coating, you should wait for four days before you bring back the furniture. But if you used water-based polyurethane, you will be able to bring back furniture within just two days. However, you will still need to wait for a month before you put back the area rugs.
Final Words
Now you have a clear idea of what the recoating and screening process is all about. Anyone with solid hardwood flooring should be mindful of screening and recoating. It is an excellent option available for you to lengthen the time between full sanding. Along with time, the protective layer on the top will wear down. As a result, wood will be exposed to spills and scratches. On top of that, the luster of wood can get dull as well. This is where you will need to proceed with a recoat and screen. You need to do it before the scratches get through the colour of your floor, or else you will be too late. Make sure that you decide the right time to go for screening and recoating so that you can get the most out of it.
