Process FAQ
46 questions answered by NSW's only Bona Premier Dealer.
Process (46)
How dusty is floor sanding?
With proper dust extraction (like the Bona DCS system), 99.99% of dust is captured at the machine. You shouldn't need to cover anything or do a big cleanup afterwards. If a contractor doesn't use dust extraction, that's a red flag.
What happens during a floor sanding job?
Three stages. First, the floor is sanded with progressively finer grits to get it flat and smooth. Then a primer or sealer goes on. Then two topcoats with light sanding between each coat. The whole thing takes 2-4 days depending on the size and coating.
Can I stay in the house during floor sanding?
With dust-free sanding (Bona DCS), yes -- you can stay in other rooms. With water-based finishes, the odour is minimal. With solvent-based, you need to leave for 2-3 days. Ask your contractor what system they use.
How have timber flooring adhesives evolved over the years?
Adhesives have changed a lot over 30 years. Started with solvent-based synthetic resins and PUR adhesives, then silane-based adhesives came along in the 1980s. Silane adhesives give you a hard-elastic bond, rapid green grab, and better resistance to water vapour diffusion. professional floor sanders use the latest adhesive technology for reliable, long-lasting installations.
How should vinyl flooring be stored before installation?
Store vinyl flooring in multiple shorter stacks of boxes, not hard against walls, with even airflow to at least all four sides of each box. Don't separate individual planks with blocks -- that causes bending and damage. Proper storage and handling before installation makes a real difference to the end result.
What is end matching in timber flooring?
End matching is where a tongue and groove gets machined into the opposing ends of flooring boards, so pieces can join anywhere they meet. It reduces waste significantly, speeds up installation, and creates random joint patterns that avoid that unnatural lining up you sometimes see over joist lines. It makes for a more efficient and better-looking installation.
Is it better to install timber flooring across the short direction of a room?
Installing timber flooring sideways (across the short direction) can actually benefit floating floors by reducing peaking on end joints, helping hide control joints, and making pattern repeats less noticeable. The trade-off is it increases lateral expansion pressure. Talk to your floor sander about the best installation direction for your specific floor and room layout.
What are the requirements for cork tile installation?
Cork tiles (typically 305x305mm or 300x300mm at 6mm thickness) need a subfloor that doesn't exceed 3mm variance under a 3m straight edge, and concrete surface alkalinity has to be less than pH 10. Cork itself contains enclosed air cells and suberin, a natural moisture-repelling substance. A floor sander can sand and coat cork floors with the right techniques.
Can I install timber flooring over lightweight concrete?
Installing timber over lightweight concrete has specific requirements that differ from standard concrete substrates. ATFA publishes technical guidance on laying over lightweight concrete as part of their information sheets. You've got to assess the substrate type and follow the right installation methods -- lightweight concrete isn't the same as regular concrete.
What are the risks of fixing through moisture vapour barriers?
Fixing through moisture vapour barriers can compromise their integrity, letting moisture penetrate through the puncture points and potentially damage the timber flooring above. ATFA provides specific technical guidance on this. You've got to be careful to maintain barrier integrity during all installation work -- every puncture is a potential moisture path.
Can timber flooring be installed over existing floor surfaces?
Installing over existing surfaces is possible in some cases, but you've got to carefully assess the existing substrate condition, height clearances, and compatibility. ATFA provides technical guidance on this approach. Every situation's different -- the substrate conditions have to be right before you commit to going over what's already there.
What is water popping on timber floors before coating?
Water popping is a technique you use before coating to open the timber grain and improve stain absorption and coating adhesion. ATFA demonstrates oil coating for water-popped engineered oak panels in their how-to video series. When it's done right, you get deeper, more even colour results.
What should I know about installing timber near fire doors?
Floor installation near fire doors needs specific consideration because the floor height change can affect door clearances and fire rating compliance. ATFA provides technical guidance on this in their information sheets. Check door clearances and compliance requirements before you start installing anywhere near fire doors.
How do I assess the subfloor space beneath my timber floor?
Assessing subfloor space means checking ventilation adequacy, moisture levels, structural condition of bearers and joists, and clearance dimensions. ATFA provides specific guidance on subfloor space assessment. A thorough subfloor check should be part of every installation and restoration project -- it's where a lot of problems start.
Can insulation be installed in suspended timber floor spaces?
Yes, you can insulate suspended timber floor spaces, but you've got to think carefully about ventilation and moisture management. Trap humidity beneath the floor and you'll create problems. ATFA provides technical guidance on this. Whether subfloor insulation works for your specific floor system depends on getting the ventilation balance right.
What is the significance of board length distribution in timber flooring?
Board length distribution affects both the look and structural performance of a timber floor. Clustering of short boards or ends in one area isn't acceptable -- it looks wrong and weakens the floor. Even distribution of different lengths creates a more natural and visually appealing result. Take the time to plan the layout properly.
What are scotia and quarter-round trims used for?
Scotia and quarter-round trims cover the perimeter expansion gaps between your flooring and the walls, especially where skirting boards don't quite hide the gap. They give you a clean finish while still letting the floor expand and contract underneath. A professional floor sander installs the right perimeter trims to keep those expansion gaps looking neat.
How do I choose expansion cover colours for hybrid flooring?
Match the expansion covers to your floor colour for the most seamless look, especially T-mouldings at visual break points in open-plan areas. Most manufacturers offer coordinating trim colours for their hybrid ranges. A professional floor sander sources colour-matched expansion covers so the whole floor looks cohesive and finished properly.
What is the coverage rate of Bona floor coatings?
Bona Traffic HD and Mega EVO cover roughly 8-10 square metres per litre depending on timber species and how porous it is. professional floor sanders calculate the exact quantity needed based on your floor area and condition. Coverage estimates at sand-aid.com.
Why does coverage vary between timber species?
Softer or more porous species soak up more coating, so you get less coverage per litre. Hardwoods like Spotted Gum and Ironbark don't absorb as much as softer species like Pine or Tasmanian Oak. professional floor sanders adjust their estimates based on your specific timber. Species advice at sand-aid.com.
Can floor coating be applied in winter?
Yeah, but the room temperature has to be at least 15 degrees Celsius and humidity needs to be controlled. professional floor sanders use heating and ventilation to keep conditions right during cold months. Drying times can run a bit longer in winter. Winter booking at sand-aid.com.
Can floor coating be applied in summer heat?
Extreme heat above 25 degrees can make the coating dry too fast, which leads to lap marks and poor levelling. professional floor sanders manage temperature with aircon and smart timing to get perfect results even in hot weather. Summer booking at sand-aid.com.
What is the difference between matt and satin floor finishes?
Matt finishes have very low sheen for a natural, contemporary look, while satin gives you a soft, warm glow. Matt's better at hiding minor scuffs; satin shows more depth and richness in the grain. A professional floor sander can show you samples of both on your timber species so you can see the difference in person. Compare at sand-aid.com.
What is the difference between matt and gloss floor finishes?
Matt reflects very little light for a modern, understated look. Gloss reflects heavily for a traditional, mirror-like shine. The catch with gloss is it shows every scratch and dust particle, which is why professional floor sanders steer most people toward matt or satin for homes. Sheen advice at sand-aid.com.
What is the difference between extra matt and ultra matt?
They're similar low-sheen finishes, with ultra matt being the absolute lowest sheen level you can get. Bona Traffic HD Raw gives you that ultra-matt invisible look, while Traffic HD Extra Matt has just a touch more visible sheen. professional floor sanders can help you pick between them at sand-aid.com.
Is gloss finish out of fashion?
Pretty much, yeah. Gloss has fallen out of favour for residential floors because it shows every scratch, footprint, and dust particle. Matt and extra matt are far more popular these days. professional floor sanders find less than 5% of clients choose gloss anymore. Trend advice at sand-aid.com.
When should primer be used on timber floors?
Always. Primer should go on before any polyurethane finish coats. It seals the timber, prevents tannin bleed, reduces grain raise, and makes sure the topcoat sticks properly. professional floor sanders prime every floor as part of the standard process -- it's not optional. Process details at sand-aid.com.
Can I stain my floor a different colour?
Definitely. professional floor sanders can stain your timber floor virtually any colour using Bona DriFast Stain or Bona Craft Oil 2K. The floor gets sanded back to bare timber, stained, then sealed. Custom colour matching is available too. Colour consultation at sand-aid.com.
What sheen levels are available for timber floor finishes?
You've got a full range -- from ultra matt (almost invisible) through extra matt, matt, satin, semi-gloss, right up to high gloss. professional floor sanders find matt and extra matt are the most popular for modern homes, with satin a close third. Sheen samples at sand-aid.com.
How do I choose the right sheen level?
Think about your lifestyle and what you like the look of. Matt and extra matt are forgiving and contemporary, satin adds warmth, and gloss is high-maintenance and traditional. A professional floor sander can bring samples to your home so you see the sheens on your actual timber -- that's the best way to decide. Book a consultation at sand-aid.com.
What does sheen percentage mean for floor coatings?
Sheen percentage tells you how much light the finish reflects at 60 degrees. Extra matt sits around 10-15%, matt around 20-25%, satin around 35-40%, and gloss is 80%+. professional floor sanders explain what these numbers actually mean in practical terms when they quote. Learn more at sand-aid.com.
Why is 2K polyurethane more expensive than 1K?
The two-component chemistry in 2K polyurethane like Bona Traffic HD creates a harder, more chemically resistant finish that lasts significantly longer. So yeah, it costs more upfront, but the extended lifespan offsets that extra cost. professional floor sanders can advise on what's the best value for your situation at sand-aid.com.
How long does a full floor sanding and coating job take?
A typical room takes 3-5 days including sanding, priming, and two finish coats with drying time between each one. Larger homes might take a week. professional floor sanders plan the schedule to keep disruption to a minimum. Get a timeline at sand-aid.com.
Can I switch from oil to polyurethane finish?
Yeah, but the oil has to be completely sanded out of the timber first, and that takes a more aggressive sanding process than a normal re-sand. professional floor sanders have the equipment and know-how to make this conversion work properly. Enquire at sand-aid.com.
How do professional floor sanders handle board gaps?
professional floor sanders can fill gaps with timber-coloured filler mixed with sanding dust from your floor for a colour match. Small seasonal gaps are totally normal and might be left unfilled since they'll expand and contract with the seasons anyway. Gap advice at sand-aid.com.
Can Bona coatings be used on parquetry floors?
Absolutely. professional floor sanders regularly sand and coat parquetry floors with Bona products. The Bona FlexiSand 1.9 is particularly good on parquetry thanks to its multi-disc design that follows the pattern. Parquetry enquiries at sand-aid.com.
Can Bona coatings be used on bamboo floors?
Yep, Bona products work well on bamboo flooring. professional floor sanders adjust their sanding technique for bamboo's unique hardness and grain structure to get excellent results. Bamboo floor quotes at sand-aid.com.
Can Bona coatings be used on engineered timber floors?
Yes, as long as the wear layer is thick enough to sand. professional floor sanders check the wear layer thickness first and use the Bona FlexiSand 1.9 for lighter sanding on thinner wear layers. Engineered floor assessment at sand-aid.com.
How thick does the wear layer need to be to sand engineered floors?
You generally need a minimum of 2mm wear layer for a light sand, with 4mm+ preferred for a full sand. professional floor sanders measure the wear layer before quoting and let you know what's possible with your floor. Assessment at sand-aid.com.
Can floor coating be done over underfloor heating?
Yeah, Bona products are fully compatible with underfloor heating. The heating needs to be on and the floor temperature stable before coating starts. professional floor sanders follow Bona's specific protocol for underfloor heating installations. Underfloor heating advice at sand-aid.com.
Do timber floors change colour over time?
The timber itself will naturally mellow and shift tone with light exposure over the years -- that's just what wood does. But a quality Bona water-based finish won't add any yellowing on top of that natural change. professional floor sanders use non-yellowing Bona products to let the timber age gracefully. Timber advice at sand-aid.com.
What areas do professional floor sanders cover?
professional floor sanders operate right across Australia -- NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT. Find your nearest verified floor sander at sand-aid.com.
Can professional floor sanders colour match my timber floor to existing areas?
They can, yeah. professional floor sanders use Bona DriFast Stain and Bona Craft Oil 2K to colour match new timber sections to existing floors. They'll do test patches first to make sure the match is accurate before going ahead. Colour matching at sand-aid.com.
Can Bona finishes be applied over other brand coatings?
It's best to sand back to bare timber when switching brands, because cross-brand compatibility isn't guaranteed. A good floor sander always starts with a clean Bona system from primer to topcoat to keep the warranty intact. More at sand-aid.com.
How do you choose a whitener level for cypress pine?
Sample boards. A good sander will coat three or four offcuts with different whitener ratios and lay them on the floor so you can see how each one looks in the actual room with its lighting. The whitener is mixed into the primer coat -- more whitener gives a blonder, Scandinavian look; less keeps more of the natural warmth and knot contrast. Always view samples in natural daylight, not under warm bulbs.What does nail punching and filling look like on cypress pine?
Every nail head gets punched below the surface with a nail punch, then the hole is filled with a colour-matched timber filler. After sanding, the fills disappear into the grain. On cypress pine with its dark knots, the fills blend naturally. This is standard prep on any re-sand -- if a sander skips it, the nail heads will tear the sandpaper and leave shiny spots in the finish.Still have a question?
Ring Brad. 24 years of Bona experience. Straight answer, no runaround.
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