The provision of wood floor refinishing has changed so much over time. Wood floors have been part of English homes for centuries. They are steeped in history and ooze style and sophistication. All types of hardwood floors bring character and charm. It is important to remember that while they are incredibly beautiful, that they are not immune to scratches, scuffs and fading. Your once perfectly shiny wood floor can start to look dull and a little lifeless.
This is where wood floor sanding and wood floor restoration comes in. This is a process that can transform your wood floors back to their real, natural beauty. From labour-intensive floor sanding to modern, eco-friendly techniques, the industry has completely transformed itself.
The Changes for Wood Floor Refinishing
Looking back in history, wood floors were popular for their appearance and durability. However, when coming to the point of refinishing them, heavy drum sanders were their only choice. They lacked precision and were known to sometimes damage the wood floors with gauges or uneven finishes. The machines were incredibly noisy and worst of all created plumes of dust. This dust was known to settle everywhere and notoriously difficult to clean.
Further to this was the finish products available. They were often known for being incredibly pungent and difficult to use. However difficult, people still used these techniques as it was their only option to refinish their wood floors. There was clear room for improvement and that’s what time did.
The 1980’s and 1990’s brought with them improved sanding equipment and an awareness of environmentally friendly products. Advancing belt sanders became easier to control and use. Further to this they offered less risk of damaging your precious wood floors during the sanding process. A greater understanding also helped to produce more water-based flooring finish products. Through the 1990’s they started to be recognised for their comparable durability, lower emissions and faster drying times. This had started to change.
Modern Floor Sanding
Fast forward to the 2000’s. Consumers continued with their awareness of climate change and sustainability. The floor refinishing industry had to respond. Modern floor sanding machines are virtually dust free. They have advanced vacuum and filtration systems that make the process so much cleaner. They also save time! Water-based finishes have now become the gold standard and offer incredible variation of choice as well as durability. They are quick-drying and low odour which is better for both the client and the person restoring the floor. Other natural oil finishes have also seen a resurgence, allowing individual choice when applying a wood floor finish.
Are you looking for help to sand and restore your wood floor? Get in touch today by calling 0800 852 7188.
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