Messages and Online Forum Q&A

Re: Refinishing a hardwood floor

From: info@buildingadream.com
Category: Flooring
Date: 19 Feb 2000
Time: 22:06:41
Remote Name: 205.188.198.49

Comments

You have a few choices here:

1) Fabulon has an excellent reputation as a high-quality wood finish material that uses the best ingredients. Depending on the condition of the existing floor, you may only need to do a light sanding or screening of the existing polyurethane finish...then top coat it with 2-3 layers of Fabulon -- or equivalent high quality polyurethane finish. However, if parts of the surface a worn through to the wood...or you have scratches that have penetrated the finish, you may need to perform a complete sanding to the bare wood surface for best results. Restain the wood as necessary to match the existing color (if applicable)...and follow up with three coats of Fabulon or equivalent. Generally, a semi-gloss or satin finish looks best, unless you like the high-gloss look reminiscent of a bowling alley. The high gloss finishes tend to show scratches more easily.

2) According to the Fabulon product sheet, it is possible to use their acrylic-based "Crystal" product on top of existing stains and finishes using a T-bar floor coater. Fabulon Crystal is a non-yellowing finish that dries quickly. Since water-based coatings dry more quickly, they tend not to level as well as traditional polyurethanes. As a result, they require a little more skill to apply to achieve consistent results.

If you do decide to use Crystal on top of your existing finish, don't forget that the existing finish may have yellowed somewhat with age. When you compare this to a new installation, you may see a color difference.

3) With respect to adding new pre-finished flooring, this is a matter of taste and convenience. If the old and the new areas are completely separate from a visual standpoint, then you could use a different product in the other part of your house. However, I'm one who prefers consistency throughout a house. I've seen homes mix and match traditional site-finished hardwood flooring with pre-finished materials in other rooms....and it gives the house a "choppy" appearance due to the difference in finish quality, application, and installation.

Without seeing your situation first hand, it's difficult to comment. But were it my home, I'd opt to use the same materials throughout...which will yield a more consistent appearance without looking like an afterthought.

Eventhough it's more work, I recommend doing it right the first time...make it all consistent...and enjoy the results of a job well done!

Good luck!

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