Factory or Job Site Finish
Once you have selected the type and style of your wood flooring, you
should consider whether you prefer a finish that is applied at the
factory or on the job-site.
Factory Finished (Prefinished):
Is where the finish is applied at the factory. Several
finish options are available such as oil-based or water-based urethane.
Prefinished flooring eliminates the dust and noise as well as the
acclimating and curing times. We offer excellent prefinished flooring
from:
HARDWOOD:
CORK:
MARMOLEUM:
LAMINATES:
Job-Site:
Is where the finish is applied at the place of installation.
You can choose the type of finish and may also select a stain to customize
the color of your floor. Usually solid wood flooring is finished at the
job-site (but solid wood flooring is also available prefinished) and engineered
wood flooring usually comes prefinished (but engineered wood is also available
unfinished). Sanding and finishing on-site creates dust and noise from the
equipment, and curing times prevent you from using that particular room or
area of your house for a period of time.
Important Information on Wood Job-Site Installations and Refinishes
Wood Job-Site Installations and Refinishes
The following information is provided to answer frequently asked questions
about wood installation and finishing. Please read this information carefully.
If you have any additional questions, please call or e-mail us
Installation
During the installation process, the floor can be walked on. Expect some
dust and noise. Remember that your floors are "under construction" and
some inconvenience, dust, and paint touch up should be expected at the
completion of the floor. Dust protection is the home owners responsibility.
We will assist you with general dust protection (hang plastic from major
openings to the area we are working in) however, should you have furnishings
that are sensitive to fine dust, it is recommended that you cover them separately.
Anticipate that the areas located near the new floors will require a dusting or
cleaning. After the completion of the floor installation, a wood filler is used
to fill in any cracks or gaps in the wood. Following this process the wood needs
to sit at least one week to acclimate to the humidity or moisture levels in the home.
You can walk on the floors at this time.
Sanding
This is the point at which the most dust and noise are created. It is also the point
at which walking on the floors is eliminated until the finish process is completed.
The floors are sanded down to a uniform level. Should you be considering a "refinish"
to your existing hardwood floors, this is the point at which we would begin.
Staining
After the sanding is completed the floor is vacuumed and ready to be stained, if a
stain or color is to be applied. Stain selection will be done with the customer present
on the newly sanded floor. Remember that lighting and wall color will sometimes affect
the stain color. We can provide several color samples from which to choose.
Finishing
After the stain is applied or if the floor is to go natural (with no stain or added color)
the first coat of finish is applied. Most floors are finished with an oil based polyurethane
finish, a durable finish. Slaughterbeck Floors applies three coats of finish. Between each
coat we "screen" the floor and inspect it for any cracks and apply putty. Again, it is very
important to stay off the floor at this time. Humidity and other moisture factors will affect
drying time, however usually we do a coat a day. Base and trim is usually installed between
the second and third coats of finish.
Curing
After 24 hours, your new floor is walkable in stocking feet, after 72 hours you can walk on
the floor in soft soled street shoes. You can also begin to set, not drag, furniture in place.
Curing is usually complete after two full weeks. After the two full weeks area rugs can be put
down.
Recoats
A recoat is a new coat of finish applied to the floor without sanding down to the raw wood;
it is a way to "restore the luster" to the floor. Your floor will not accept a "recoat" if
there is any oil or wax residue on the floor. This is important to remember if you wish to
consider future "recoats". The floors "acceptance of a recoat" is solely the responsibility
of the home owner.
