Question 1

I'd like to have floorboards, but where do I begin?

Accepted Answer

Firstly, it is always good to get advice on any major improvement to your property. Wood floors are a significant part of your home and making the right decision on floor coverings will not only add appeal and value to your property but even save you money in both the long and short term.

Wooden floors are practical and have a natural beauty and warmth all of their own. They can enhance the most ordinary of rooms as well as adding the finishing touch to an already superb decor.

Now that you have decided to have floors sanded & refinished I would suggest to first look in an obscure part of your floor perhaps a corner or underneath the house, to check that you have floorboards under your existing floor coverings.

Question 2

Yes, we have floorboards. Can we sand the floors ourselves?

Accepted Answer

Many shops will hire equipment to sand wood floors; however, this equipment is continually being used by amateurs. As a result of this, they are usually unbalanced and far from the top of the range floor sanding machinery used by Absolute floor sanding.

Question 3

How do we know if our floors are fit to sand?

Accepted Answer

A quick check under your house before removing your floor coverings will give you an indication as to the condition of your boards and sub-floor structure. Moreover, this will save you and us some nasty surprises once you have removed all the floor coverings, particularly if you are purchasing a new property and intend to sand the wood floors. Some things to look for may be evidence of termites, water damage, presence of dampness etc. Please note that this is only a suggestion and that in most instances this process may not be necessary

Question 4

How much will it cost to sand my wood floors?

Accepted Answer

The cost will vary depending on:

The size of your floor. You can estimate this by measuring the length and width of the room and multiplying the two together; this will give you the square meterage.

Type of floor finish to be used: polyurethane, stained, waterborne etc.

Question 5

What can you expect when your floors are professionally sanded & refinished by Absolute floor sanding?

Accepted Answer

Sanding and refinishing a beautiful wood floor is a skill acquired over many years. Please bear in mind that all the work performed is by hand controlled floor sanding machines and applicators; there can be evidence of this in the floor. Further, as you live on the floor, it will gain a character and feel that is unique to your home; this is all part of the beauty of owning a wood floor.

Expert sanding and coating
Nails punched
Nail holes, knot holes and gaps at the end of boards to be filled with the appropriate filler
A coating that will give many years of beauty, providing it is properly maintained

Question 6

What not to expect

Accepted Answer

A completely dust-free environment. Modern floor sanding machinery is fitted with dust collecting equipment, and our floor sanders will endeavour to clean dust away by vacuuming and wiping down surfaces. It is virtually impossible, however, to totally eliminate all dust from the job which has a couple of consequences:
there will always be some dust particles that settle on the newly finished surface.
there will be a small amount of dust throughout the rest of the house.
Removal of deep cuts such as those from carpet trimming knives or deep gouges in the boards.
Removal of stains from within the boards and around nail holes such as animal urine and watermarks.
Boards damaged by the borer will not have the same gloss level as those in good condition.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to expect the filler to have the same feel as the timber after the application of coatings.

Please be aware of the following information.

Any silicone on a floor will cause rejection of subsequent coats of wood floor finishes. Silicone or silicone-based products also include Fabulon, hair spray; fly spray etc.
12-volt downlights produce a cobweb effect on the coatings.
You may get slight markings on skirting boards from contact with the Edger. That is why it is recommended to leave the painting on skirting until after the floors are finished.
Black Japan (bitumen) or stain around the perimeter of some older wood floors may produce a two-tone effect.
You are likely to get some variation in colour and grain between new and old boards.

Question 7

How long will sanding our floor take?

Accepted Answer

As most coating systems require overnight dry times, the usual project will be a minimum of one to three days. This time frame may be extended depending on the size of the job. As an estimate, most floor sanders can sand on average 30/40 square meters per day. Furthermore, please remember to add the time for the coats to be applied and to drY.

Question 8

Will there be much smell? And can I stay at home while my floors are sanded?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it will smell. Waterborne finishes are the most environmentally friendly, therefore produce less odour. All other finishes will generally require you to be in a well ventilated separate area if you want to stay in your home while the floor is drying. However, as every job is different, please contact Absolute Floor Sanding for more information concerning your house layout or coatings to be used to ensure they meet your requirements.

Question 9

What floor finish should we use?

Accepted Answer

Polyurethanes are currently the most widely used floor coatings. They are incredibly durable, readily available and come in a range of finishes from high gloss to matt.
If you are using new wood floors, please check with your wood floor supplier as to their recommendation for a suitable coating. Some recommend only waterborne, or oil-based coatings to be used because of their flexibility should movement in the wood floor arise.

Question 10

What type of gloss level should we use?

Accepted Answer

The sheen (shine) level on a floor is entirely a personal choice. Factors which could affect your decision include: whether the areas have downlights - a lot of light on a high gloss floor will cause glare. Whether you clean the floor regularly - gloss floors show a lot of dust, due to their reflective nature. If you have pets inside - pet’s nails can easily scratch the harder finishes, causing them to look worn more quickly. Currently satin is the sheen level in highest demand on wood floors.

Question 11

What will I have to do to prepare the floor?

Accepted Answer

You can save money by removing all existing floor coverings including tacks, staples and any smooth edge carpet strips from the floor. Remove all furniture and other items on walls, or hang a cotton sheet over pictures.

Question 12

Once the job is complete, when can I move my furniture back?

Accepted Answer

Most coatings will dry overnight assuming mild weather conditions (15 to 25 degrees C). However, 7 to 14 days for full curing in the case of polyurethane is usually suggested by most manufacturers. Any normal traffic should be avoided during this period. Small items residing in fixed positions may be put in place carefully provided they have protective tips underneath them within 3 to 5 days. Always check first with Absolute floor sanding or your coating manufacturer to make sure there is no misunderstanding on this matter as many floors can be damaged in this crucial period.

Question 13

Is floor sanding a messy job?

Accepted Answer

Our floor sanders are 90% dust-free; however, there will be remaining dust floating during the sanding process, which unfortunately cannot be avoided. If possible, we will leave windows open in the rooms that we are working. By doing this allows for ventilation and release as much dust as possible. We will always maintain an immaculate service; ensuring that all furniture is covered and doors sealed. We clean up as much as possible during the project and then an extensive clean up once our work is complete.

Question 14

How reliable are your floor sanding services?

Accepted Answer

Absolute Floor Sanding & refinishing have a very reliable and professional team. We pride ourselves in our work as well as reliability and efficiency. We always treat our customers as a top priority and nothing less. We aim to satisfy our customers 100%. Check out our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ accounts to see some of our customers who tag themselves in our posts.

Question 15

How booked up are you?

Accepted Answer

Absolute Floor Sanding services cover London, Surrey, Sussex, and Essex so we can be in high demand. That's why we ensure we have enough of the most excellent and professional floor sanding teams — making sure that we can fit you in at the time and date that suits you best, or at least the closest.

Question 16

How costly is your floor sanding & refinishing services?

Accepted Answer

We are one of the most competitive and reasonable floor sanding companies with our costs. We aim to beat any other quote that you have received from another floor sanding company. Not only are we unbeatable in price, but we are also unmatched in quality. Take a look at our floor sanding cost's page for more info.

Question 17

What about all of my furniture?

Accepted Answer

We can assure you every single possession in your property will be completely taken care of. However, we do require the wood floor clear for our floor sanding team. We will gladly help take care of moving any heavy furniture that you may not be able to manage to move yourselves. Alternatively, if any furniture cannot be removed from the room we are working in, don't worry; we can carefully move it to the side and work around it. In fact, this has been the case on many occasions, so we certainly understand your concerns. We will cover up any furniture to prevent dust from getting to it from the floor sanding process.

Question 18

What colour wood floor can I have?

Accepted Answer

That is entirely your choice, whatever colour suits your taste we will match it. We can assist with this by laying down as many samples as you like on your wood floors to help you decide. We have a range of stains, so plenty of options that you can choose from and make a decision.

Question 19

What are the payment arrangements?

Accepted Answer

Payment for our work is due on completion; we accept cash or bank transfers. We ask for a deposit on all work, (generally £100-£150) this is for our security on materials. Also, if you require any flooring and require us to provide this for you, then we ask for this payment upfront or on the arrival of our work. We can then collect what is needed from our supplier's efficiently and as quickly as possible.

Question 20

Do you work at weekends?

Accepted Answer

We certainly do, Sunday's also. If we are halfway through your project on a Friday but you would prefer us to come back on Monday, let us know and this can be arranged.

Question 21

What are your working hours?

Accepted Answer

Office Hours: Monday - Saturday 8:30am - 7pm and Sunday 10am - 4pm.

Our team of floor sanders work: - Monday - Saturday 8:30am - 6pm and Sunday 10am - 4pm.

If you require us to start at an earlier time, that's not a problem. Whatever is more convenient for you, we will try to fit in with your schedule.

Question 22

Do I have to be there while the floor sanding is carried out?

Accepted Answer

No, not necessarily, as long as we can gain access, then you can leave us to it. Absolute Floor Sanding only uses its own team, we do not sub-contract our work out.

Question 23

Should I paint it before or after the floor sanding?

Accepted Answer

Generally speaking, as we have much heavier floor sanding equipment to work with it is helpful for us to be in first. However, if you are not planning on decorating, then we use dust-free floor sanding equipment, so it is up to you!

Question 24

I have a commercial floor sanding project, do you work nights?

Accepted Answer

Absolute floor sanding has undertaken many floor sanding projects for commercial customers during the night, usually during closing hours of the business. We have the area completely clear and clean ready for customers the next morning.

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