How we refinish fine wood floors in Upper West Side apartments, from dust containment to natural oils and low-VOC finishes.
Refinishing floors on the Upper West Side? Talk with Joe Avila: call (908) 232-6600 or book a virtual consultation.
The Upper West Side is full of floors worth saving: oak strip and parquet in prewar classic sixes, and wide plank and herringbone in renovated townhouses. Refinishing them well is less about the sander and more about preparation, containment and the finish system. Our sanding and refinishing service is built around all three.
Why Refinish Rather Than Replace
In a prewar building, the original floor is part of the architecture. Solid oak and parquet can usually be sanded back to fresh wood and given a new finish, keeping the pattern and patina that a replacement floor cannot match. It also avoids the noise, waste and board approvals that come with tearing out a floor in an occupied co-op. Our Upper West Side refinishing page lists the services we offer locally, from sanding and refinishing to buffing and recoating, repairs, custom staining and restoration.
Preparing The Apartment And Containing Dust
Before work begins, all furniture, wall art and personal belongings are removed from the work area, and entrances to other rooms are sealed with 3M protective plastics and surface tapes. Sanding is done with a dustless system using Loba dust containment technology, which captures dust at the source, while high-powered vacuums remove 99 percent of airborne dust before it spreads. No sanding method is completely dust-free, but this approach captures nearly all of it. Read more on our dustless sanding page.
Natural Oils: WOCA And Rubio Monocoat
For a matte, natural look on fine oak, we often recommend oil. Woca Denmark is a plant-based, environmentally responsible oil that nourishes the wood fibers. Rubio Monocoat is a single-layer oil finish that enhances the natural beauty of the wood. Projects on our projects page show WOCA lye treatments, WOCA Natural Oil Extra White and Rubio Monocoat Natural Oil Pure on rift and quartered white oak. Oil-based finishes need 12 to 24 hours before light foot traffic, so plan the schedule around them. See our sanding and finishing packages.
Want a natural oil finish on your floors? Book a virtual consultation with Joe Avila.
Low-VOC Systems: Loba, Ciranova And Vermister
For families who want to limit fumes, we offer low-VOC and zero-VOC systems. Loba is a low-VOC, water-based finish with strong durability, scratch resistance and a crystal-clear appearance. Ciranova is a low-VOC oil and stain system that enhances the wood while maintaining indoor air quality. Vermister is a sustainable finish that delivers rich color and protection. Water-based finishes dry in 4 to 6 hours before light foot traffic. Our low-VOC refinishing page explains the options, including the Platinum Package with zero-VOC products.
Color, Stain Samples And The Final Coat
Color is chosen on the floor itself. Stain samples are laid out on the sanded wood before a color is selected, so you see it in your own light. Before the final finish, walls and surfaces are blown down and vacuumed. If you want something beyond natural, our custom color effects range from White and Grey through Light Brown, Red Brown, Dark Brown and Black. Patterned floors such as herringbone often look best in a lighter, more natural tone.
Ready to refinish your floors? Speak with Joe Avila.
Quick Answers
How long before I can walk on refinished floors?
Water-based finishes allow light foot traffic after 4 to 6 hours; oil-based finishes need 12 to 24 hours.
Is the sanding dust-free?
No method is 100 percent dust-free, but our Loba-powered dustless system captures nearly all airborne dust.
Which natural oil finishes do you use?
We use Woca Denmark and Rubio Monocoat oils, along with low-VOC systems from Loba, Ciranova and Vermister.
Do I need to leave the apartment?
We recommend vacating the premises for the best results, even with dust-controlled, low-VOC refinishing.
Begin Your Refinishing Project With Joe Avila
Call (908) 232-6600, email joe@hugginsflooring.com, or book a virtual consultation. Explore herringbone, chevron, wide plank and parquet floors, or our sanding and refinishing and NWFA inspection services.
About The Author
Joe Avila is the founder of Huggins Wood Floor Specialist and leads New York City Wood Floors, a Huggins Wood Floor Specialist brand. He brings 26 years in wood flooring, is NWFA certified (CSI, CI, CWFI, CFS), and teaches AIA, IDCEC and ASID continuing-education courses. See his certifications.
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Contact New York City Wood Floors
Email: joe@hugginsflooring.com
Phone Number: 908-232-6600
Address: 406B West Broad Street, Westfield, NJ, 07090
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