School hallways and classrooms take a beating. From energetic students to daily foot traffic, school floors endure significant wear and tear. If your school's beautiful parquet or hardwood floors are looking a bit tired, a professional sanding and refinishing job can bring them back to life. But before you jump in, here's everything you need to know to ensure a successful and long-lasting result.
Understanding Your School's Floors
Schools typically feature two main types of wooden floors: parquet flooring and hardwood floors. Both offer warmth and durability, but their construction differs. Parquet consists of small wooden blocks arranged in geometric patterns, while hardwood floors are made from long, solid wood planks.
Always, always, always check with a qualified flooring surveyor before proceeding with any sanding work. They can assess the thickness of your existing floors and determine if they are robust enough for sanding. Attempting to sand floors that are too thin can lead to irreparable damage.
Built for Battle: Choosing the Right Finish
School floors are, by definition, high-traffic zones. This means they need a finish that can withstand constant use, spills, and scuffs. Forget residential-grade products; for school floors, a commercial-grade, two-component lacquer is essential. These lacquers are incredibly durable and designed for heavy wear. Look for trusted brands such as:
Bona Traffic
Junckers HT700
Loba Fusion 2K
Tover Maxima
How Many Coats Do You Really Need?
When it comes to durability, more is definitely better for school floors. We strongly recommend four coats of water-based commercial grade lacquers for heavy traffic areas:
A primer coat: This prepares the wood, enhances adhesion, and can help achieve a more even color.
Three coats of commercial-grade lacquer: These layers provide the robust protective barrier your school floors need.
The Best Sheen for Busy Floors: Embrace the Matt!
While high-gloss finishes might look appealing initially, for heavy-traffic school floors, a matt sheen is the practical choice. Matt finishes are far more forgiving when it comes to showing scuffs, scratches, and everyday wear. They help to mask imperfections and maintain a cleaner, more consistent appearance over time.
Timing is Everything: Booking Your Works
School holidays are the golden ticket for floor sanding projects. The quiet period allows contractors uninterrupted access and ample time for the lacquers to cure properly without disruption. However, because all schools aim for these windows, plan well in advance! Booking your slot months ahead will save you a lot of stress.
Choosing Your Flooring Contractor: A Critical Decision
Don't just pick the first name you find. Here's what to look for in a flooring contractor:
Experience with commercial & school projects: Ask for references from other schools they've worked with.
Insurance and certifications: Ensure they are fully insured and their team is properly trained.
Clear communication: They should be able to explain the process, costs, and timeline thoroughly.
Flexibility: Always ask if they work over weekends and bank holidays. This can be crucial for completing the project within tight school holiday schedules.
Detailed quotations: Get everything in writing, including the scope of work, materials, and payment schedule.
Need Consultaion or a Site Visit?
Speak to a member of staff or book an obligation-free site survey for proper assessment of your school flooring needs.
Addressing Floor Repairs: Don't Miss a Spot!
During the initial site visit, it's easy for small areas needing repair to be overlooked. To avoid surprises and potential delays, be specific about any areas with floor damage or missing pieces when the surveyor visits. Point them out clearly on the survey to ensure they are factored into the quotation and work plan.
To Gap Fill or Not to Gap Fill? For Schools, It's a Yes!
For heavy-use environments and parquet flooring, gap filling is always recommended. Filling the gaps between floorboards or parquet blocks provides several key benefits:
Better Coverage: It creates a more uniform surface for the lacquer, leading to a smoother and more aesthetically pleasing finish.
Longer Lasting Finish: Open gaps can trap dirt and moisture, which, with regular mopping, will eventually lead to the deterioration of the lacquered finish. Gap filling seals these areas, protecting the wood and the lacquer.
Clearing the Way: Furniture and Access
To avoid additional charges and ensure a smooth, efficient process, make sure all areas are completely clear of furniture and any other obstructions before the contractors arrive. The more accessible the floors are, the quicker and more cost-effective the sanding and finishing will be.
Sport Lines Application
If your school hall is used for sports, consider having sport lines applied after the sanding and lacquering process. This is a specialized service that should be carried out by professionals. The lines for basketball, volleyball, badminton, or other sports are typically painted below the final coats of lacquer and then sealed with an additional topcoat of lacquer for protection.
Ensure your chosen contractor has experience with this type of application to guarantee accurate, durable, and slip-resistant markings. Discuss your specific requirements and court layouts with them in advance.
Cost Considerations: Getting the Best Value
When it comes to cost, remember that schools often have large areas of flooring. This can sometimes work to your advantage! Many contractors offer a lower cost per sqm for large sanding projects due to economies of scale. Don't be afraid to leverage this.
Always check prices and get a number of quotes from reputable contractors. Provide them with detailed information about the size of the area, the condition of the floors, and your specific requirements (like gap filling or sport lines). A comprehensive, written quote will help you compare offers accurately and ensure you're getting the best value for your school's investment.
By following this ultimate guide, you can ensure your school's floors not only look fantastic, but also stand up to the rigors of daily school life for years to come.
