Dustless · 1 day of work plus 3 to 5 days to dry · Once a year
Fresh Shine, Every Year.
Gym Floor Screening & Recoating
A fresh coat of finish that brings back the shine, protects the maple underneath and keeps your lines and logos in place. No sanding to bare wood and no dust.
What is a screen and recoat?
- Maple sanding & refinishing since 2001
- 50,000+ projects completed
- Custom logos & game lines
- Dustless screen & recoat
A gym floor has two parts: the maple boards, and the layers of finish on top that take all the wear. Over a season, sneakers, balls, carts and grit scuff and dull that finish. A screen and recoat renews only the top layer, so the wood never gets touched.
First we clean the floor and remove gum, tape and residue. Then we buff the surface with fine abrasive screens. This lightly scuffs the worn top of the finish so the new coat can bond, without cutting through to the wood or the paint.
We clean up every bit of that fine powder, tack the floor, and apply a fresh coat of gym floor finish. Your game lines and logos stay exactly where they are, sealed under the new coat.
It is dustless. Screening makes very little residue and we collect and clean all of it, so classrooms, offices and hallways stay clean and nobody has to cover anything.
How often should you screen and recoat?
For most school, college and club gyms, the answer is once a year. Many of our customers book it for the same week every summer or winter break, so it never gets skipped. Immaculata High School in Somerville is a good example: we sanded and refinished its floor in 2020 and have recoated it every year since.
Very busy floors, like club gyms used seven days a week, sometimes need it more often. A lightly used floor might stretch a little longer, but waiting too long is the most common and most expensive mistake. Once the finish wears through and the wood starts to gray, a recoat can no longer fix it and you need a full sanding. On a yearly recoat schedule, a full sand and refinish is usually needed only every 6 to 10 years.
Screen and recoat vs. full sand and refinish
| Screen & recoat | Full sand & refinish | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Renews the top layer of finish | Sands to bare maple, new lines, new seal and finish |
| Dust | Dustless | Our sanders catch about 98% of the dust |
| Time | 1 day of work plus 3 to 5 days to dry | 8 to 10 working days plus about a week to cure |
| Lines and logos | Stay in place under the new coat | Repainted, so you can change colors and add sports |
| How often | Once a year | About every 6 to 10 years with yearly recoats |
| Best for | Dull, scuffed finish with the wood still protected | Finish worn through, gray or stained wood, new design |
Want the details on a full sanding? See our gym floor sanding and refinishing page.
How long will the gym be closed?
Most screen and recoat jobs take 1 day of work plus 3 to 5 days to dry before normal use, depending on the size of the floor. We will tell you the exact day the floor is ready, and we schedule around your games, classes, camps and events, including nights, weekends and holiday breaks.
To help the finish dry and cure well, keep the building heat or air conditioning running at normal settings, keep doors closed, and keep people, tape, mats and equipment off the floor until we say it is ready.
Signs your floor needs a screen and recoat
- It has been about a year since the last coat
- The floor looks dull or hazy even after cleaning
- Scuffs and light scratches in the traffic lanes, at the benches and under the baskets
- Water or cleaner no longer beads up on the surface
- The finish is worn but the wood underneath still looks like clean, bright maple
Signs you need more than a recoat: gray or bare wood showing, black marks or stains under the finish, deep gouges, cupping or loose boards, or you want new lines and colors. In those cases we will recommend a full sand and refinish or a repair first. We tell you straight which one your floor needs.
Floors we have finished
Why schools call J and J
J and J Gym Floors has been taking care of maple gym floors since 2001, with more than 50,000 projects for schools, colleges, clubs, churches and rec centers. We keep up with MFMA standards and use MFMA-approved finishes and MFMA-certified vendor products. We stand behind our work and our reputation proves it.
We are based at 77 Michael Dr in Wayne and work all over the East Coast, most of all in New Jersey. See gym floor refinishing in New Jersey for the areas we cover.
Frequently asked questions
Is a screen and recoat really dustless?
Yes. Screening only lightly scuffs the top of the finish, and we collect and clean up all of the fine residue before the new coat goes on. The rest of the building stays clean.
Will our game lines and logos be affected?
No. A screen and recoat does not reach the paint. Your lines and logos stay in place and get sealed under the fresh coat. If you want new lines or colors, that is done with a full sand and refinish, and small touch-ups can sometimes be done during a recoat.
How soon can we use the floor again?
Most jobs take 1 day of work plus 3 to 5 days to dry before normal use. We give you the exact date when we schedule the job.
What if we have not recoated in several years?
If the finish is still intact, a screen and recoat can usually bring it back. If it has worn through to the wood, a recoat will not fix it and the floor needs a full sand and refinish. We will look at it for free and tell you which.
What finish do you use?
We test the existing finish and use a compatible gym floor finish, oil-based or water-based, from MFMA-certified vendors. We will explain the options for your floor.
What types of gym floors do you screen and recoat?
Screen and recoat is for maple wood gym floors, and maple is the only wood we work on. Maple is the standard for school, college and club gyms, and a regular screen and recoat is the best way to protect it. On a walkthrough we check the condition of your maple floor and its existing finish, then recommend a screen and recoat or, if the finish is worn through to the wood, a full sand and refinish.
Do you screen and recoat outdoor courts?
Our screen and recoat service is for indoor maple wood gym floors. If you have an indoor maple floor in a school, college, club, church or rec center, we can look at it and recommend the right service.
How do I know if my gym floor needs to be screened and recoated?
Some common signs that your gym floor may be due for screening and recoating include: a dull or yellowed appearance, visible scratches and scuffs, uneven wear patterns, and reduced traction or slipperiness. If you’re unsure, our team can perform a thorough assessment and provide expert guidance. Get in touch and we’ll give you our honest assessment.
Can screening and recoating remove deep scratches or gouges in the Gym floor?
No. A screen and recoat only screens the old finish and applies a fresh coat, so it takes care of minor scuffs and surface wear. It doesn’t include repairs or board replacement. Deep scratches or gouges need a full sanding and refinishing, and damaged boards are a separate gym floor repair service. We’ll look at your floor and tell you which option fits.
Will screening and recoating change the color or appearance of my gym floor?
Screening and recoating can restore the shine and luster of your floor, but it will not significantly change the underlying color or wood grain. If you’re looking to completely transform the appearance of your floor, a full sanding and refinishing process may be necessary.
How long does the new finish last after screening and recoating?
The longevity of your new finish will depend on various factors, such as the type of finish used, the level of foot traffic, and your ongoing maintenance practices. In general, a quality screening and recoating job should be refreshed every year.
Can you match the existing finish on my gym floor?
Yes, our team has the expertise to match your existing finish as closely as possible to maintain a consistent appearance across your entire gym floor. We’ll work with you to select the best finish option to suit your needs and preferences.
How much does screening and recoating cost compared to full sanding and refinishing?
Screening and recoating is generally a more cost-effective option than full sanding and refinishing, as it requires less labor and materials. The exact cost will depend on the size and condition of your floor, but we’ll provide a detailed estimate upfront so you know what to expect.
Do I need to do anything to prepare my gym for the screening and recoating process?
Before we arrive, we ask that you clear the gym floor of any equipment, furniture, or obstructions to ensure a smooth and efficient process. Our team will handle all the necessary cleaning and preparation of the floor surface prior to screening and recoating.
How often should I have my gym floor professionally cleaned and maintained?
In addition to regular screening and recoating every year, we recommend having your gym floor professionally deep cleaned at least once or twice a year to remove built-up dirt, grime, and residue. This will help maintain the appearance and performance of your floor between recoating treatments.
What is the difference between water-based and oil-based finishes?
Water-based finishes are a popular choice for gym floors because they have lower VOCs, faster drying times, and a clear, non-yellowing appearance. Oil-based finishes, on the other hand, tend to have a slightly amber tint and may take longer to dry, but they offer excellent durability and resistance to wear.
Can screening and recoating improve the slip resistance of my gym floor?
Yes, certain finishes used in the screening and recoating process can enhance the slip resistance and traction of your gym floor, providing a safer surface for athletes and users. We’ll recommend the best finish options to meet your specific needs for performance and safety.
What kind of maintenance should I perform between professional screening and recoating services?
To keep your gym floor looking and performing its best between professional treatments, we recommend the following regular maintenance: daily dust mopping, weekly damp mopping with a neutral cleaner, prompt cleanup of spills and moisture, and the use of protective mats and floor covers in high-traffic areas.
Is Gym Floor screening and recoating environmentally friendly?
At J & J Gym Floors, we offer eco-friendly water-based finishes and low-VOC products to minimize the environmental impact of our screening and recoating services. Our screen and recoat system is completely dustless.
Will Gym Floor screening and recoating disrupt our regular gym activities?
We schedule the work for the time that is least disruptive to you, such as a weekend or a break. Plan on 1 day of work plus 3 to 5 days to dry, and we will tell you exactly when the floor is ready for use.
What is the best time of year to schedule screening and recoating services?
The ideal time depends on your facility’s schedule. Many schools and gyms book the work during summer or winter break or another stretch of low use, but we can work around your regular activities to keep disruption to a minimum.
Time-Lapse Videos
Recent Projects
- The Pingry School (Basking Ridge, NJ): both gym floors replaced with new maple in 2019, plus years of upkeep
- Immaculata High School (Somerville, NJ): full sand, refinish and yearly recoats
- Bangor Area School District (Bangor, PA): new maple high school gym floor and wall pads
- Greenwich Catholic School (Greenwich, CT): full sand and refinish with new game lines and center crest
Where We Work
We’re based in Northern New Jersey and work the whole East Coast, mainly NJ, NY, PA, CT, MD & DE.
J & J Gym Floors is a full-service gym floor company. Established in 2001, we’ve completed more than 50,000 projects for various types of facilities: NBA basketball courts, college gym floors, high school gymnasiums, K-8 athletic sports floors as well as fitness centers, YMCAs and Jewish Community Centers. We’ve also done some amazing work for homeowners and professional athletes!
We specialize in: gym floor screening and recoating, basketball court sanding and refinishing, new gym floor installations, gymnasium wall padding, expert gym floor repairs as well as gym floor designs, graphics, logos and game lines.
Whether you’re in the bustling boroughs of New York City (including Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island), the Garden State of New Jersey, or anywhere in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Rhode Island, Virginia, West Virginia, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, or Maine, we’ve got you covered. From the sunny shores of Florida, the football tradition of Ohio, the historic charm of South Carolina, the diverse landscapes of North Carolina, and the picturesque state of Georgia.
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States: West Virginia, South Carolina, Ohio, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, Georgia, Florida, New York, Vermont, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware, Rhode Island, Maryland, NYC, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, The Bronx, Manhattan
Wall Pads
Custom designs and pro installation
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Book your yearly screen and recoat
Tell us when your gym is free and we will set up a quick walkthrough and a written proposal. Call or text 973-801-7219 any time, 24/7.