Recoating: Page 4

Q&As: Recognizing Shake, Dealing with Dance Wax, Sheen vs. Gloss

I have been having an unusual amount of wind shake showing up lately after I install my floors. Is there a way to find it before I install it?

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Recognizing Retail Excellence: Enter the 2024 WFB Outstanding Retailer Awards

Wood Floor Business

Entry forms for the 2024 WFB Outstanding Retailer Awards are open. The deadline to submit is June 1 at 5 p.m. CST.

Recognizing Retail Excellence: Enter the 2024 WFB Outstanding Retailer Awards

Fact-Finding is Key Before Resanding & Refinishing

Tips on Sanding Wood Floors With an Aluminum Oxide Finish

Advice on how to successfully sand wood floors that have an aluminum oxide finish.

Extreme Moisture Leads to Cupped Red Oak Wood Floor

Step by Step: How to Refinish Distressed Wood Floors

Techniques to be able to apply a new coat of finish to distressed wood flooring.

Hf 1206 60 Main

How to Thrive in the Remodeling Market

Every wood flooring contractor has stories about the wackiest customer he’s ever dealt with. Whether it’s unreasonable expectations or the toddler who kept wandering onto the finish, homeowners send plenty of wood flooring contractors to bed with migraines. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. Managing the Emotional Homeowner: The Remodeler’s Guide to Happy Customers by David Lupberger with Bill Still (available at www.builderbooks.com; $26.95 for National Association of Home Builders members, $29.95 for nonmembers), offers some invaluable insights into creating happy homeowners during the emotional remodeling process. Some of the advice includes:• Understand how difficult remodeling is for most people. Most homeowners have more money invested in their homes than anything else, and their homes reflect who they are, so they have huge financial and emotional investments in their homes. Remodeling makes them feel vulnerable and out of control.• Because remodeling is a difficult emotional process, the homeowners look to you to take on a parental role and take care of them.• Don’t take homeowners’ anger personally. If you get caught up in the emotions of the homeowner, both sides lose.• If something goes wrong, coming across as honest is more important than being worried about “looking bad.”• Keeping homeowners informed of what to expect, such as job-site procedures and schedules, will make them more comfortable. A paper trail, such as a job-site log,can help.

Resanding and Refinishing Historic Wood Floors

With any job, a well-written estimate and contract is important, but when dealing with older floors, it's essential. Contingencies must be included in the contract in case unanticipated problems arise. If the floor is covered with carpeting, a final estimate can't be determined until the wood floors are completely uncovered. You may find damage to the subfloor or boards that need repair. Include a clause stating that any additional repairs will cost extra.

When a Wood Floor Scratch Repair Goes From Bad to Worse

Recoating and Refinishing Factory-Finished Wood Flooring

Many floors installed in the last three to fours years may contain layers of aluminum-oxide or ceramic-oxide finishes. While these finishes are marketed to the consumer to withstand almost anything, contractors are left with the challenge of trying to abrade them for recoats. This isn’t impossible, as many believe, but there are special techniques and equipment that can make the daunting task a little easier.Many factory-finished hardwood floor manufacturers are touting warranties that last longer than the Ice Age. It’s important that the home owner understand that these are “wear-through” warranties and not “look-bad” warranties. It’s true that today’s finishes are tougher than ever, but they are not impervious. The floors are abrasion-resistant, not abrasion-proof. Traffic patterns and other wear marks can still appear in the finish. The floors also can be susceptible to moisture and stains. This means that many customers will want to have their floors recoated during the warranty period. The problem is that part of the manufacturer’s warranty will be invalidated once the floor is refinished. The best bet is to contact the manufacturer and get the warranty specifics before you do any work on the floor. If the customer still wants the floor recoated, be sure she understands that the warranty will probably be null and void once your abrasive or finish touches the floor.

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Podcasts

All Things Wood Floor, created by Wood Floor Business magazine, talks to interesting wood flooring pros to share knowledge, stories and tips on everything to do with wood flooring, from installation, sanding and finishing to business management.