I am building a new house with 2500 sq-ft of hardwood floor. I plan on
maintaining the floor with water based finish for recoating high traffic areas
once a year or so.

Should I ask the builder to use water based finish for the original finish, or
does it matter? If so, what brand should I specify?

If the builder uses an oil based finish, can I put additional coats of water
based finish before moving in (after the builder's finish dries)? This will be
the last opportunity for coating the floor without having to move furniture,
worrying about kids running around, etc. How many additional coats is
reasonable? I am thinking of 5 additional coats on top of however many
standard coats the builder uses. Is this too many?

I don't want to ask the builder for additional coats, as he seems to have add
hefty margins for this kind of requests.

"John Smith" wrote in message
om...
I am building a new house with 2500 sq-ft of hardwood floor. I plan on
maintaining the floor with water based finish for recoating high traffic
areas
once a year or so.

Should I ask the builder to use water based finish for the original
finish, or
does it matter? If so, what brand should I specify?

Definately use a water based finish for the floor. It matters because you
can not use a water based coat over an oil based coat.

If the builder uses an oil based finish, can I put additional coats of
water
based finish before moving in (after the builder's finish dries)? This
will be
the last opportunity for coating the floor without having to move
furniture,
worrying about kids running around, etc. How many additional coats is
reasonable? I am thinking of 5 additional coats on top of however many
standard coats the builder uses. Is this too many?

I don't want to ask the builder for additional coats, as he seems to have
add
hefty margins for this kind of requests.

Typically for hardwood floor installation, 3 coats are standard and are
plenty for normal traffic. Like I said before, make sure that who ever puts
the first coats on, make sure to use a water based (acrylic) coat. There
are many brands out there. My hardwood floor guy changes brands constantly
so to recommend a particular brand would be outdated in a month g. There
are many good brands out there. Just ask your local hardwood floor
installer. Maybe someone here is a little more familiar with good brands.
SH

look into Bonakemi Traffic. it's used on gym floors.

dave

John Smith wrote:

I am building a new house with 2500 sq-ft of hardwood floor. I plan on
maintaining the floor with water based finish for recoating high traffic areas
once a year or so.

Should I ask the builder to use water based finish for the original finish, or
does it matter? If so, what brand should I specify?

If the builder uses an oil based finish, can I put additional coats of water
based finish before moving in (after the builder's finish dries)? This will be
the last opportunity for coating the floor without having to move furniture,
worrying about kids running around, etc. How many additional coats is
reasonable? I am thinking of 5 additional coats on top of however many
standard coats the builder uses. Is this too many?

I don't want to ask the builder for additional coats, as he seems to have add
hefty margins for this kind of requests.

Thanks to all. Bonakemi Traffic looks really good, and has low VOC, too. How
should I approach the builder on this? I think that he may consider this a
strange request. It is important enough for me to pay premium if necessary,
although it looks like the Bonakemi is already more expensive on material cost
basis.

How much extra should I expect to pay over regular finish for a 2500 sq-ft? I
am thinking of asking for a 4 coat treatment.

Thanks.



Bay Area Dave wrote in message ...
look into Bonakemi Traffic. it's used on gym floors.

dave

John Smith wrote:

I am building a new house with 2500 sq-ft of hardwood floor. I plan on
maintaining the floor with water based finish for recoating high traffic areas
once a year or so.

Should I ask the builder to use water based finish for the original finish, or
does it matter? If so, what brand should I specify?

If the builder uses an oil based finish, can I put additional coats of water
based finish before moving in (after the builder's finish dries)? This will be
the last opportunity for coating the floor without having to move furniture,
worrying about kids running around, etc. How many additional coats is
reasonable? I am thinking of 5 additional coats on top of however many
standard coats the builder uses. Is this too many?

I don't want to ask the builder for additional coats, as he seems to have add
hefty margins for this kind of requests.

Traffic is used in residential on occasion, John. I used
Mega (no catalyst) and did one sealer coat and 3 coats of
Mega. It looks really nice. Since a seal coat "counts" I
think you'll find the builder will suggest 3 coats of
Traffic as being sufficient. Mark from Los Gatos is a pro
on this stuff. Hopefully he'll see this thread and give his
opinion.

dave

John Smith wrote:

Thanks to all. Bonakemi Traffic looks really good, and has low VOC, too. How
should I approach the builder on this? I think that he may consider this a
strange request. It is important enough for me to pay premium if necessary,
although it looks like the Bonakemi is already more expensive on material cost
basis.

How much extra should I expect to pay over regular finish for a 2500 sq-ft? I
am thinking of asking for a 4 coat treatment.

Thanks.



Bay Area Dave wrote in message ...

look into Bonakemi Traffic. it's used on gym floors.

dave

John Smith wrote:


I am building a new house with 2500 sq-ft of hardwood floor. I plan on
maintaining the floor with water based finish for recoating high traffic areas
once a year or so.

Should I ask the builder to use water based finish for the original finish, or
does it matter? If so, what brand should I specify?

If the builder uses an oil based finish, can I put additional coats of water
based finish before moving in (after the builder's finish dries)? This will be
the last opportunity for coating the floor without having to move furniture,
worrying about kids running around, etc. How many additional coats is
reasonable? I am thinking of 5 additional coats on top of however many
standard coats the builder uses. Is this too many?

I don't want to ask the builder for additional coats, as he seems to have add
hefty margins for this kind of requests.

(John Smith) writes:

I am building a new house with 2500 sq-ft of hardwood floor. I plan on
maintaining the floor with water based finish for recoating high traffic areas
once a year or so.

Why would you need to recoat every year? Have everyone remove their shoes
when they come into the house if need be. Any carpeted areas will last
longer too with no shoes. Recoating the floor every year would be a major
pain, especially if you have an active family.

The reason I choose water-based over oil-based for my floor is because
oil-based will yellow over time.

Brian Elfert

I chose WB because oil poly reeks! Makes my nasal passages
burn. Plus the WB dries quickly.

dave

Brian Elfert wrote:

(John Smith) writes:


I am building a new house with 2500 sq-ft of hardwood floor. I plan on
maintaining the floor with water based finish for recoating high traffic areas
once a year or so.


Why would you need to recoat every year? Have everyone remove their shoes
when they come into the house if need be. Any carpeted areas will last
longer too with no shoes. Recoating the floor every year would be a major
pain, especially if you have an active family.

The reason I choose water-based over oil-based for my floor is because
oil-based will yellow over time.

Brian Elfert