Floor Polishing Brisbane

How We Prepare

We take care of every aspect that culminates in the final product: your gorgeous timber floor.

Firstly, prior to us arriving all furniture needs to be removed from the floor area. If there are floor coverings present (such as linoleum or carpet) we can arrange to take them out, along with any left-over nails or staples. Next, we punch down any nails that are fixing boards to joists, thus eliminating any troublesome creaks that may have been bothering you. This procedure also prevents future movement of the floor boards.

Repairing Floors

 Occasionally removal of the carpet or lino will also reveal damaged flooring that may have previously gone unnoticed. This is not a problem, we can take care of damaged floor boards using carefully selected replacement boards from timber salvage yards. We are adept in sourcing boards that are of a comparable era and style to match your existing flooring.

Sanding the Floors

With the preparation taken care of, we are now ready to start the floor sanding process.

Dependent on the condition that the floors are in, we will often start by using a rough-graded sand paper to sand on a 45-degree angle. The purpose of this is to create lateral flatness.

We then repeatedly sand the floor, working with the wood grain and progressively using a finer grade of sandpaper each time. Finally, we finish sanding by using a rotary sander, expertly buffing away any fine sanding marks to produce a flawless final finish.

By now your floor is superbly smooth and we are ready to apply the coatings. Your home is important and making the best choice when seeking floor polishing Brisbane may feel overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be. At A Custom Floor we will be there every step of the way to take the stress out of the decision-making process.

The Coatings

Solvent based Polyurethane

A popular and tried-and-tested choice for floor coating has always been solvent based polyurethane. This is a well-established option that many people still favour and if a high gloss finish is the goal, then you can’t go wrong given the depth of finish it can achieve.

That been said, with skill and experience a good quality solvent-based polyurethane can also be used to produce very warm and modern results using the Matt, Semi-gloss and Satin finishes.

Water based Polyurethane

Water based Polyurethanes can be an excellent option to consider to achieve a superior, furniture-like finish for your floors. The traditional solvent based polyurethanes are the tried and tested first choice when a high gloss finish is desired, however when it comes to achieving a low sheen finish, you can’t go past using a high quality water based polyurethane.

Its advantages include that it is low odour, non-toxic and environmentally friendly. It produces a very consistent sheen and because it is so fast drying, dust issues are less of a factor for the final finish.

Which Brand of Coatings Do We Use?

At A Custom Floor we use only the highest quality coatings available.

Our brand of choice when it comes to solvent based polyurethanes is POLYCURE & FEAST WATSON. For our water based coatings, we choose LOBA DUO & BONA TRAFFIC

Floor Staining

We are staining specialists. To finish off their floor polishing Brisbane projects, many home owners will choose to have their timber floor stained.

An expertly applied stain can transform an average low-cost timber into an exquisite piece of craftsmanship.

When it comes to Staining, there are two primary options.

If you are looking for a moderately darkened finish, or you just want to subtly change the tone of your timber flooring, we would use a tinted stain coat. Tinting requires a high level of skill to attain a consist finish across the entire floor.

For darker options such as a black japan or walnut finish, we would recommend staining the timber directly.  This is more of a lengthy process, but the results are remarkable.

Perhaps the most critical step to achieving the perfect stain that you envisage for your home, is starting off with a quality consultation. This is an area that we pride ourselves in. Before we apply even a drop of stain to the floor, we will first demonstrate what tones and colours are achievable until we have established and agreed upon exactly what it is that you have in mind for your floors. It’s your vision, we are here to bring it to life.

So, get in touch today to book a complimentary appraisal for your timber floors!

At A Custom Floor polishing Brisbane, we are qualified to help you every step of the way, until you are walking across your very own gorgeous timber floors that are both functional and beautiful.

How To Maintain Your Wooden Floor

Choose a good quality welcome-mat such as a bristle mat or some other durable material to have at the entrance of your house and check that there is a soft underside. A quality mat in your entranceway is your first line of defence to prevent dirt and other grit entering your home on the soles of people’s shoes. This is important because dirt, grit and even dust are abrasives and they will over time, wear away the polish on your timber floors. Strategically placing a runner or rug in the high-traffic zones is also a great way to give added protection to your floor.

Avoid wearing stilettos or outdoor shoes while walking on your timber floors and apply protective felt pads to the underside of all your furniture. Keep an eye on these protective pads over time as they can build up grit and dirt and will need replacing periodically. When moving furniture, be sure to lift it as dragging anything across the floor can risk damaging it.

Do not use wax or abrasive cleaners on your floors. This includes products that contain chlorine, bleach, ammonia, and oil or pine soap. To clean up any spillages, act quickly to wipe up the spill with a damp paper towel or cloth.

Keep any eye on your pets nails, clipping them regularly to avoid them scratching the floor as they roam around the house. If you have floor plants make sure that the protective saucers are water-tight and an adequate size so that there is no water damage when you tend to your plants.

Regular cleaning using a padded vacuum and a soft-bristle broom will keep your floors free from dust and dirt although we do recommend you avoid using vacuums with a rotating power-head.

Once dust and dirt are removed a damp mop can be used in conjunction with a timber specific floor cleaner. Always use a diluted cleaning solution and never pour liquid directly onto the timber.

 We are in Love with Timber Floors, Here’s Why

Timber floors are exceptionally hard-wearing and will, if properly cared for, last  for a long time in your home. Unlike carpet, which can quickly become embedded with debris, and quickly look drab and worn-out, wood stands the test of time and actually contributes to the health of your living environment. Timber is a solid investment that will add value to the house and contribute aesthetically to the ambience of your home.

Being a natural product, sanded and treated timber is soft on the eye, and soft underfoot. It is actually a natural insulator so it literally contributes to the warmth of a room.  The thousands of micro air chambers within every cubic centimetre of wood act to trap heat thereby passively warming the surrounding area.

Timber is certainly one of the oldest and most tested flooring resources still in use. Wooden floors are very robust and if you care for them correctly they can last for centuries. Throughout history, wood has established itself as an attractive and long-lasting choice for Australian homes.

Timber is an ideal option if you prefer minimal upkeep. As mentioned earlier in this article, timber floors are easy to keep clean and with regular sweeping and an occasional mop, they will add to the good-health of your home which in turn cares for the health of you and your family. Superior to other floor coverings in this respect, timber will not provide a haven for allergens such as pollen, pet hair, or mould. Choosing wood is certainly the smart choice for allergy sufferers.

We live at a time where we have an are increased awareness of our impact on the environment. More and more Australians are favouring products that are environmentally-friendly. Wood is a natural resource and it is both renewable and recyclable. Unlike carpet and vinyl that will eventually end up discarded in the local landfill, “old” timber can be sanded and restored with magnificent results, often as good as, or perhaps better than new. Aged timber is full of character and highly valued.

More than relieving your carbon footprint, as we have touched on, choosing timber helps create a healthy home environment. Caring for the health of your home will by extension care for the health of your family, a priority to all of us. Recent studies have found, and medical specialists agree that wooden floors are a healthy choice especially compared to other flooring options. Mould and dust mites that builds up in carpets exacerbate allergenic asthma. Opting for timber is much healthier.

What’s more, the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (a division of the USA National Institute of Health) in a recent report spoke of the “adverse effects of carpeted floors on perceived indoor air quality as well as worsening of symptoms in individuals with asthma and allergies”. Their recommendation was “avoiding extensive carpet use in offices, schools, kindergartens and bedrooms”. Wooden floors are a superb option if you are concerned with promoting good health for your family.

So, to sum up, the benefits of choosing timber floors goes well beyond looking great.  And when you entrust trained professionals to produce your floors, the whole process can be a pleasure. Call now for a complimentary assessment of your timber floors!

Why delay, reach out today. We will make the entire process as smooth as those exquisite wooden floors that you have been dreaming of.