Should I get semi-gloss finish for hardwood floors?
sweetd313
11 years ago
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susanilz5
11 years agocleo07
11 years agoRelated Discussions
Hardwoods finished on site, pre-finished hardwoods or tile that looks like wood (Walker Zanger)
Comments (25)I am a hardwood installer and refinisher. I have extensive experience with both processes that you are considering for new wood. Here are my two cents..lol. Engineered hardwood is great for many reasons: The durability of the finishes used, the strength added by its multi-ply construction, and most beneficial is its ability to be installed over concrete subfloors. I would consider myself more expert in refinishing than installing. There are about 1 in 10 installers that can actually refinish a hardwood floor, installing is more of a process, and refinishing is more of an art. I think that sealing the flooring on site is definitely better, although not as durable as the finishes now used on prefinished flooring. It WILL NOT however, do any better at protecting your wood because the end matches and seams are sealed. Water that is left standing on wood will ALWAYS be a problem. In my opinion neither is better or worse. Wood flooring in high water areas really boils down to dedication in keeping the floor dry. I never try to steer anyone to wood in those areas because I dont want to be the one blamed if there is a moisture problem. The reason I recommend on site finishing is for maintenance. Every few years a new coat can be easily applied to make your floor like brand new, and I would assume that the new floor would be solid wood. Based on the pictures that I saw above, I would say that they CAN be refinished, but pictures often don't convey the whole story. If there is excessive crackling (not creaking) as you walk across your floors, or if the nails are exposed (nails along the seams, not topnails) then your floor should be replaced. If neither of those are present, then it can most likely be sanded and refinished. Lastly, I do agree that wood look tile would be a mistake, if you choose to go tile, I would aim for contrast with the wood, not an attempt to match it....See MoreShould I stain golden oak hard wood floor a dark walnut shade?
Comments (30)I too vote for lighter floors - I went for dark floors and you really need to add a lot of lighting, as they pull a lot of the light out of the room. If you are dana point (i am sd), the lighter floors will be beachy and classic. They can use a bleaching oil and it will work even on the urine stains . . the width isn't an issue . .. consider then painted cabinets in a soft tan / drab ware tone . . creamy off white quartz tops to match floor . ....See MoreRefinishing hardwood floors - what should I use?
Comments (2)I prefer a two part water based polyurethane for toughness and for cure times/lack of ambering. Bona makes some amazing products - make sure they use the HIGH END two part product. A one part Bona product won't perform the same way a 2 part Bona product will. You can look at a Swedish finish. The SMELL is HORRENDOUS...but the VOC content is quite low. They are super tough finishes - that can take WEEKS to get rid of the smell. It is also a very technical finish....very technical. So technical that it can get messed up before the tech gets out of his/her truck. Everything you "want" is pointing towards a HIGH END, 2 part, water based polyurethane (Loba 2K Supra AT has a HIGHER WEAR LIFE than Bona...buy 360%). The STAIN will be MATCHED to the finish. Do not mix and match stains. Both Bona and Loba offer their own stain lines. To be clear....your colour "wish" is a TALL ORDER. Oak (white oak especially) sheds tannins. Turning oak gray or white is HARD...and EXPENSIVE. Turning RED OAK gray or white is even HARDER = more expensive. I would work ONLY with NWFA Certified Sanding and Refinishers. These guys/gals will be FULLY TRAINED in ANY technique you are looking for. Anyone else is going to be "giving it the good ol' colleague try". There are some great, well trained, master hardwood floor finishers out there - without the NWFA training - but they are 1 in 100,000. Ask for NWFA certifications. Drop the one's who DO NOT have it. Good luck. An oak being turned gray is going to NEED a lot of luck and supreme skill....See MoreNeed HELP with hardwood floor stain and finish!
Comments (24)provincial is pretty close to yours. maybe a tad darker, but not much. I think what you have is a good medium color. remember, darker floors show more dust and dirt. shinier floors reflect more light which shows more dust and dirt. so if this bothers you, consider that . glossy floors show all the scratches and nicks. this is a semi gloss on medium stained floors. very similar to yours....See Morepluckymama
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