Screening and recoating a wood gym floor is the most efficient and cost-effective way of keeping the sports facility well-maintained. With regular cleaning, prompt damage control, and proper maintenance, your wooden sports floor can last up to 50 years or more. There is a large amount of specialized knowledge and expertise that goes into an effective maintenance routine. That is why it’s best to seek help from a professional gym floor company. On this page, you’ll find the answers to some of the most common questions about screening and recoating gym floors. Let’s start with the most common question.
What is a screen and recoat?
A screen and recoat is when a floor care company slightly abrades the top layer of your gym floor to remove the topical marks from the surface. Technicians then apply one or several coats of finish to the floor. Screen and recoat processes are used to clean up and protect the floor. This service not only restores the floor’s shine, but it also revitalizes it and helps it maintain a long lifespan.
How often should you screen and recoat a gym floor?
Frequency schedules for screening and recoating depend on how heavily your gym floor is used. Most gym floors require to be screened and recoated once a year—sometimes up to twice a year if there is heavy foot traffic. In rare cases, you can screen and recoat every other year. It’s best to consult with a professional gym floor coating company to get a precise assessment on how often your gym floor should be screened and recoated.
How long does it take to screen and recoat a wooden floor?
The screening and recoating process only takes a a day or 2, though the exact time can vary based on the type of coating you select—whether it’s oil-based or water-based. Depending on the type of coating you choose, the entire screening and recoating treatment can be carried out over a single weekend. After the process is completed, it will take about 5 days before the floor is cured enough for use.
What’s the difference between wet screen and dry screen methods?
The main advantage of dry screen prepping is that it offers the best possible abrasion for ensuring finishing coat adhesion. Dry screening also produces lighter, brighter floors.
How do you maintain a wood gym floor day-to-day?
To maintain your gym floor and keep it looking pristine and professional, make sure to sweep it daily with a dry dust mop. If your gym is used frequently, you may want to consider mopping several times a day between instances of heavy foot traffic and sporting events.
Always make sure that your air conditioning system is working correctly, too. This will control the indoor humidity and provide appropriate airflow. The ideal temperature at which you should keep your facility is between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Be sure to remove any debris and fix any water damage as soon as it appears. Puddles and spills should be cleaned promptly. Check the windows and doors for water ingress. And lastly, consult with your gym floor service company for tips on any additional methods you should implement to best care for your gym floor.
What’s the difference between water-based and oil-based floor coating?
Both water-based and oil-based coatings offer exceptional durability while also being scratch and scuff-resistant when applied properly. But, there are some critical differences between these two products. An oil-based coating offers superior gloss in comparison to a water-based coating. If time plays a crucial role in your choice, a water-based coating allows you to play light sports games on your wood floor just 48 hours after the application of the last coat. On the other hand, if you choose an oil-based coating, you’ll have to wait five to seven days before you can use the gym.
Can you use any hardwood floor company to service your sports facility?
While a hardwood flooring company might seem like the right choice for a project like a gym floor screening and recoating, it’s always best to go with a business that narrowly specializes in screening and recoating gym floors. Why? Because a specialized gym flooring company is licensed, trained, and experienced in all of the procedures that go into servicing a wood sports floor. Moreover, you can also get a discount on other related services, such as gym floor logos and wall pads. You won’t find these additional and often necessary services with a run-of-the-mill hardwood flooring company.
When will screening and recoating not work?
While screening and recoating is an excellent way to revitalize your wood floor, there are some cases in which they simply won’t work to turn a worn, old floor new again. If your gym floor has oxidized or is severely worn down, or if the finish is chipping and peeling this process won’t be enough to bring it back to life. In the same line, if your gym floor has been flooded and water damaged, it will require heavy reparation.
Screening and Recoating Gym Floors: A Final Takeaway
These are just some of the most popular questions sports facility owners and managers have regarding screening and recoating services. Of course, many other little things go into our screening and recoating process that will help your wood floor stand out.
Are you looking to give your wood floor the best possible treatment? With over a decade and a half of experience and thousands of satisfied clients, we know gym floors. If you want to schedule a consultation or have any general inquiries about our services here at J&J Gym Floors, we’re always available to help. Contact us today at (973) 801-7219 or fill out our simple online form.