Sanding
wood is not the same thing as sanding metal. Wood differs in that it has grain
and texture. The character of wood varies according to the tree from which it
has been sourced and softwoods are different in nature from hardwoods. Fresh
wood with higher moisture content is different from wood that has aged for a
decade and more. Only an experienced woodworker knows the idiosyncracies of
wood and the perfect way to sand each type of wood according to its character.
For floors made of wood that need to be renovated or repaired, sanding is the
first step to restoration.
As any
experienced woodworker knows, in order to restore wood flooring, you must first
start with sanding. Sanding is usually carried out in stages, typically along
the grain, using coarse grits and progressing to finer grit size. Using the
right equipment does make a difference in getting a smooth uniform finish and
in completing the job quickly. However, this is secondary to the skill of the
wood flooring Newcastle specialist
who must remove existing coating, smooth out bumps and scratches and, in
general, prepare the surface for staining and then final sealing. This is
perhaps the most time-consuming and labour-intensive process of refinishing
wooden flooring. The professional engaged in the task must first sand all open
areas with a drum sander, and then use an edger to reach areas out of reach of
the larger sander. The process is usually repeated thrice with progressively
finer grit sandpaper, and then hand sanding is used for final touches. This is
followed by vacuum extraction of the sanded area to clear the room of fine and
rough particles, and then final buffing with fine grit for polish and to bring
out the grain, followed by another round of vacuuming.
Only when
this is done and inspection shows that work is satisfactory, does the
professional engaged in renovating flooring Sunderland goes ahead with
the next stage of staining. Here again, there is a choice of stainer that will
only touch the surface and solvent based penetrating stainer for deeper, richer
and lasting colour shades. The final sealing and varnish is just as critical
and quite important from the perspective of looks and durability. Experts will
offer clients a choice of melamine, epoxy, polyurethane, nitrocellulose lacquer
or acrylic with recommendations based on the type of wood, usage and other
parameters. There are no shortcuts to excellence, which is what Northumberland
floor sanding experts, serving Sunderland and Newcastle promise and deliver.