URGENT HELP re: Oak Floor Refinishing

4 years ago

Hi, I am having my wood floors refinished in my new condo in just over a week. Taking a peak here, I realized how much I don't know about the process so am hoping to get some quick help.

The floors are in great shape but have a yellowy-amber tint that I dislike - I prefer natural and not shiny. It is unclear if red or white oak - one contractor said red oak - the second initially thought red, but then said they might be white oak. Both contractors recommended using Bona water-based products, though neither told me about the options available to get my preferences.

Contractor #1 said they would use 1 coat sealer + 3 coats waterbase, which seems standard.

Contractor #2 said they would use 4 coats Bona Traffic HD satin. He does not recommend the use of sealer because "finish won't last as long". He highly suggests satin instead of matte as it looks almost the same, but is better. I've scheduled the job with contractor #2 - he was less expensive, was recommended by a RE agent - he will do whatever finish I want despite his preferences.

My questions:

1) I've read that sealer is to "reduce the potential for sidebonding and tanin bleed" - I get tanin bleed, I'm unclear what sidebonding is - are refinished 20 year old floors at risk for this?

2) Does the refinishing process need to differ if the floors are red vs white oak, i.e does white oak REQUIRE sealer but red oak does not?

3) Is it right that 4 coats water-based finish with no sealer is better than 1 sealer + 3 finish?

4) Does Bona Traffic Naturale provide a more natural look than Bona Traffic HD? Is durability the same?

5) I've read on a blog that1 coat of Bona NordicSeal results in the most natural look - any experience with this? My condo is a modern loft so the Scandinavian look the product advertises would look great.

Thank you pros for you help!!!!!!!!

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Comments (5)

PRO
G & S Floor Service
4 years ago
If, you have white oak , you will want to use the sealer to prevent tannin pull.

Side bonding occurs when the joints are glued together by a "water base" finish. Which leads to panelization, where you end up with a 1/2" gap in one or more areas of the floor.

For residential, 1 coat of sealer and 2 coats of Traffic HD is recommended. I would be concerned with applying 4 coats. Which can be too much film build and can lead to white lines in the joints. If, the installer is following Bona's instruction of making the final sanding pass at 150 grit. 1 coat of sealer and 2 coats of HD is all you need for residential. Their 4 coat system maybe to build up with cheap poly and finalizing with 1 coat of HD. Which is not comparable to what Bona recommends.

You will need to sample the finish for the look you want. Everyone will have a different perspective of how their floors should look. Natural seal and Nordic seal is a good starting point for the look you want.

HD is more durable than Naturale.
Rena Lor thanked G & S Floor Service
PRO
Johnson Flooring Co Inc
4 years ago
G&S covered all the bases. Use a sealer and two coats of finish. Using a sealer won't negatively affect the durability of the surface coat.
Rena Lor thanked Johnson Flooring Co Inc
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Rena Lor
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you, G&S and Johnson for your input. My floor work is supposed to start in a 2 days (!) and I am trying to decide if I should cancel the job with the refinished I selected ... wondering if his view/attitude is a red flag ....

I asked him about using Bona Nordic Seal in order to get a brighter look - he said he used it once and it dries too fast & gets streaky - so he does not recommend. I then asked he use Bona Natural Seal - he said it's the same - it's tricky to put on. He insists that his way of 4 coats of water-based finish, which he states is Bona Traffic for all 4, is the best option as it lasts longer. He said the bond between sealer + finish bond just isn't as strong as using just finish. It seems odd to me that his view is so different than most others and Bona's recommended process. Do you guys think this is a red flag?
SJ McCarthy
4 years ago
It sounds like he's figured out how to apply Bona Traffic but has not had Bona training for the other "cool stuff" Bona produces. It isn't a bad thing...it just is. If you really want Nordic Seal then you will have to find someone who has more confidence/training in the product. Four coats of Bona Traffic is fine...but others might not want the extra build up of product. For some a heavy application of finish can look 'plasticky'. For some 'old timers' this is the look they prefer...it tells them there is plenty of product which will offer plenty of life on the floor.
PRO
G & S Floor Service
4 years ago
There is a trick to applying pigmented finishes, which I will not share. His 4 coat system will work, but there are down sides to it. You will be limited to the look you want, it does not prevent side bonding or panelization.

URGENT HELP re: Oak Floor Refinishing

Comments (5)

G & S Floor Service

Johnson Flooring Co Inc

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Rena Lor
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SJ McCarthy

G & S Floor Service

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URGENT HELP re: Oak Floor Refinishing

Comments (5)

G & S Floor Service

Johnson Flooring Co Inc

Related Discussions

Rena LorOriginal Author

SJ McCarthy

G & S Floor Service

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Rena Lor
Original Author