We just finished a master bedroom/bath renovation, and as part of it we installed about 300 square feet of new red oak flooring in the bedroom and walk-in closet. We did the installation ourselves, but hired out the sanding and finishing using the Bona dust containment system and Bona Traffic finish (one coat of stain and two coats of satin finish). The flooring has only been finished for a few months, so I can't comment on long-term wear, but I highly recommend the containment system and the waterborn finish. The containment system is a huge shop-vac type vacuum that arrives in its own trailer, and then they ran hoses from the sanding equipment to the trailer. I was in the house that day, and there was very little dust (I vacuumed the room out, but didn't have to completely clean the rest of the house) and the smell was not overwhelming, and completely disappeared in a day or two. We could walk on the floor the next day, and could have moved furniture back in soon after that (but we still had the rest of the project to finish, which just recently happened). Here's a picture of how it came out (scroll to the 12th and 13th photos to see the floor - I haven't figured out how to share just one photo): http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=6wndsd6.b8e6s31a&x=0amp;y=rz00cf Here is a link that might be useful: Photos

Well you are reaffirming what I thought in the first place. Glad to hear there's potential for it not to be as messy as I recall from the last time I did this. Part of my problem is that I'm just not up for moving everything again after only a year which of course I'd have to do no matter what I replace the carpet with. The stairs are the worst so I think I'll deal them first - no furniture moving required and they can pre finish before installing with just some final touch up. Planning to add some kind of patterned runner that doesn't show dirt and wear. I guess I'll focus on that project for now.

I've been using Mega HD Clear on most of my white/light jobs and on other jobs where I was using regular Mega with the Mega Booster. It's working well. I like the slightly higher sheen in the satin (25 to 35) compared to Traffic (15 to 20) and the lower cost. Mega spread rate is 500' to 600' per gallon where Traffic is 350' to 400' per gallon. I personally like the lower film build that maintains more of the grain texture on the surface where Traffic looks too smooth and plastic. The Traffic must wear better and it's nice to tailor the sheen level to customer desires (semi gloss, satin, extra matte and naturale) but I think it's overkill for most homes. Before Bona introduced Mega HD Clear and re-formulated Traffic, their only clear non-yellowing urethane was Novia which is pretty cheap stuff. Neither finish should require an extra coat when new unless you think you're going to neglect the floor and are worried it will wear out. Most homeowners (at least the ones we work for) will recoat the floor after it gets scuffed, scratched and somewhat worn, but well before it wears through. The floor will receive the same amount of wear and need a recoat when it looks unacceptable, whether you're applied 2 coats or 20 coats initially.

OK...first thing you must know about maple...it gets STRONGER yellow tones as it is exposed to UV light (any light...even over head lighting). What does that mean? Notice the pale moon-tones of the raw wood? If you leave them 'natural' (without a UV blocking agent) you will get DEEP YELLOW within a year....like the colour you are seeing with #3. That's the look you get WITHOUT a colourant or stain. Just letting the maple 'sit' in the light = deep yellow. Are you prepared for that darkening? The colour you start out with TODAY WILL CHANGE. It will get darker and yellower. That's why I mentioned Loba's UV blocker = UVProtect. It is an additive that can be added to (almost any) water based product such as Bona Traffic HD. The 'mixing of the hardener' is VERY specific. Very very specific. As in, "Set in a laboratory to achieve the BEST results for the homeowner," type of specific. A flooring pro who has been TRAINED by Bona (ahem...he paid to get himself to the Bona Training session...paid for 3 days of hotel...paid for food...etc...and NOT getting paid...) can finagle the use of the hardener. But it should NEVER BE left 'out' of an equation. If you have a 2 part (2K = 2 Komponenten = German for 2 component) product, you REALLY MUST use the hardener as directed. Is it *possible to use it without the hardener? Yes. What is the benefit? LONGER working time (Bona Traffic HD = 2-5 minute wet edge = crazy-short). What are the drawbacks? LOOOOOOONNNNNNNGGGGGGG dry times and even LOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGEEEEEEEER 'cure' times. And, if that isn't bad enough, and your finish will NEVER perform the way the manufacturer says it will = total waste of money. What is a LOOOONNNNNGGGG dry time? A day or two = you must have 2-4 DAYS between coats. If you are looking at 3 coats of finish = 8 days to COMPLETE the application of all three coats. What does LONGER cure time = 30+ days for 2 coats....3 coats = 40+ or more. That means NO furniture...no feet (stocking or otherwise)...no pets...no moving in....no moving out....NOTHING. Don't even open the door! So IMAGINE the extra costs to stay where you are or for 30+ days in paid accommodations. Right. Compare that to: Day 1 (of liquids): 1 coat 'sealant' + 1 coat Bona Traffic HD Day 2: 2 coats of Traffic HD (includes abrasion + tack cloth between coats) Walking over the floor (stocking feet = NO WORK being done...just nipping in to grab your keys!!!) = 2 days (48 hours...not just "two sleeps"). Cure: (furniture allowed but NO AREA RUGS!!!!!!) 7 - 10 days. The 3+ coats is a longer cure than 2+ coats. Full HARDNESS: (ahhhhh....that's something NO ONE talks about) 3-4 WEEKS (again the third coat means it needs another week of 'air time') First 'damp clean': 3-4 WEEKS = sweeping ONLY....NO DAMP MOPPING. Time to first area rugs: 8-12 months for MAPLE....because it needs TIME to darken/turn strong yellow. Whew! There you go. My advice: do NOT use someone else's sealant. Use BONA ONLY! Bona's IntenseSeal is the darkest sealant they have. It is probably #3....but confirm that please. Do NOT let them 'play' with the hardener...it is VITAL to the health of your finish and your sanity and your cheque book. I kid you not.