Services
Installation
Materials
When installing a new wood floor, there are many product types from which to choose. Banchero Hardwood Floors will guide you through the process of selecting the right material.
- Unfinished Solid Hardwood – Available in all wood species and board widths ranging from 1 ¼ – 6 inches. Unfinished wood gives the greatest range of stain and finishes options.
- Pre-finished Solid Hardwood – Factory stained and finished material is available in all wood species and board widths. Material quality is becoming more sophisticated within this category and moving towards micro-beveled products that look much more like a sand and finished floor. Although this material more expensive per square foot than unfinished, it eliminates the need for on-site sanding, staining, and finish application; ultimately saving the time and labor costs involved in this additional process.
- Engineered Wood Flooring – A veneer of hardwood is layered over plywood backing. It is more economical than solid material. It is often the best choice in glue-down applications; perfect for basements and condominiums with concrete floors, where nailing is not an option. While the majority of engineered wood comes pre-finished, product selection within this category is growing to included unfinished varieties that can be sanded, stained, and finished on-site like a traditional hardwood floor.
- Salvaged Wood – Hardwood salvaged from old homes and buildings is often used to successfully match, repair and restore old floors.
Process
Floors are nailed down, glued down or floated. In most installations, tongue and groove flooring is side nailed so that the nail is invisible from the surface. We also utilize top nail to achieve the period look in older homes.
On concrete sub-floors, engineered wood is glued down or floated. Hardwood flooring adhesive is troweled over concrete in glue down applications and hardwood firmly adheres. A floating floor is one that is wood glued along the seams of the boards and placed on top of the subfloor. This technique is often used in condominiums over soundproofing pad.
Note that we can install hardwood floors over radiant heat systems in the subfloor.
Sanding
Sanding takes place after installation and is the first step in the site-finishing process. Old finish and stain are removed and the hardwood flooring is made to be flat and smooth through a series of progressively finer grit sanding steps.
We use dustless sanding equipment to minimize dust and hang plastic to contain it within the work space. An extensive cleaning process is performed before staining and between coats of finish to achieve a flawless surface. Our intent is to leave behind no evidence of our sanding.
Staining
Staining is the process of pigmenting the floor to achieve a desired color. Floors can be stained or left natural, in which case this step is eliminated. Banchero Hardwood Floors offers both stock and custom stain colors and provides stain consultation. We use a technique know as ‘popping the grain’ which consists of an even application of just the right amount of water to a freshly sanded floor causing the grain of the wood to open. This allows the wood to accept the stain uniformly across the floor. We excel in high-end work with stain and enjoy the skill and creativity involved in this aspect of our work.
Finishing
The finishing step adds a durable smooth clear-coat to protect wood and bring out it’s natural beauty. Although manufacturers recommend a minimum of two finish coats, Banchero Hardwood Floors highly recommends three for appearance and durability. We offer the following finish systems:
- Swedish – The gold standard in the hardwood flooring industry for durability and imparting the amber hue characteristic of oil-modified finish. Formaldehyde based and extremely toxic.
- Commercial Waterbase Urethane – A far cry from ill-reputed Residential Waterbase of old, Commercial Waterbase gives Swedish a run for it’s money. It is designed for use in restaurants, musems and other public spaces offering durability and an environmental solution. Does not amber.
- Oil based polyurethane – Achieves appearance of Swedish without the toxicity. It requires no catalyst and thus dry times and curing process are extended. Demand for environmental products has resulted in advancements in quality polyurethane finish solutions. Less expensive than Swedish.
- Residential Waterbase – Quality finish designed for house traffic and does not amber in color. Less expensive that Commercial Waterbase.
- Osmo-wax – Germany’s most popular finish engineered from natural oils and waxes. Often used in LEAD Certified and Built Green applications.
Buff Pre-Coating
The finish on all floors wears away with time. We can restore hardwood floors before the protective finish wears off and exposes the wood to damage. The process consists of a series of high grit buffing steps, which allows a new coat of finish to adhere and removes minor surfaces scratches. A new layer of finish is applied to restore protection and appearance. This is the key to maintaining a beautiful floor for many years without the expense and disruption of a full refinish.
Getting Started
Call and schedule an appointment for Owner, Nick Banchero to consult with you in your space about your project. We will submit a bid to do the work and aim to be competitive in price and high in quality.
Nick Banchero, Owner
Banchero Hardwood Floors
Phone: 206.850.4519