A total floor makeover -- back to bare timber
A full refinish is a complete restoration of the hardwood floor. All damage and discolouration is removed with a resand to bare timber, and fresh finishes are applied from scratch. This is not a light buff and recoat -- the entire existing coating, stain, and surface damage is taken off.
This is also the chance to update the look of the floor. Different sealer or stain colour options can be tried to find the right complement for the home's decor. The design possibilities are wide open at this stage.
The refinish process -- three steps
1. Sanded to bare timber. The floor is sanded in multiple passes with progressively finer grits until the surface is smooth and clean. With Bona's dust-free sanding system (DCS), this creates virtually no mess -- 99.99% of airborne dust is captured.
2. Sealer or stain applied. A primer/sealer goes on to protect the raw timber and control the final appearance. This is where stain is applied if you want to change the colour. Different primers give different effects -- Classic keeps it natural, Intense adds warmth for high-tannin species, White gives a Scandinavian look.
3. Finish applied in selected durability and sheen. Two or three coats of polyurethane topcoat are applied. You choose the durability level (Traffic HD for heavy use, Mega EVO for residential) and the sheen (matt, satin, extra matt, gloss). Each coat is lightly abraded between applications.
When refinish is the right call
A refinish is needed when the coating has worn through to bare timber in places, there is water damage or deep staining, you want to change the colour, or the old finish is peeling and flaking. If a floor has been recoated once or twice and the damage has gone past what an overcoat can handle, a full refinish resets everything.
Refinishing repairs most gouges, damage, discolouration and fading. The floor comes back looking new with the option for a completely different design direction.
With dust-free sanding and water-based finishes, the process is healthier for indoor air quality. No toxic fumes, and the family does not need to leave the house for days while solvents off-gas. A typical refinish takes 2-4 days.