VCT Floor Stripping vs. Buffing: Which Service Does Your Floor Need?

The VCT commercial flooring is created to withstand everyday activity on it, but even the toughest floor will require maintenance to retain its shine after some time. The scratches, scuffs, grime, dull traffic lanes, worn out finish, etc., will create a feeling that the office environment lacks maintenance and professionalism. At such times, it becomes difficult for property managers to understand whether the floor requires floor stripping service or buffing alone.

Both VCT floor stripping and buffing are important services that should be performed at commercial spaces from time to time, however, both the services address different issues. VCT buffing service enhances the appearance of existing floor finish and VCT floor stripping service removes damaged layers and creates room for a completely new layer of finish.

We provide professional VCT floor stripping, VCT floor refinishing, VCT buffing and VCT floor burnishing services in St. Thomas, London, Tillsonburg, Ingersoll, Aylmer and surrounding areas.

What Is VCT Floor Buffing?

VCT floor buffing is a cleaning service that helps to enhance the appearance of an existing floor finish by using professional equipment and a polishing pad.

Buffing will not eliminate all the floor finish layers. It acts only on the top layer to give the floor a better appearance.

When Is Buffing the Right Choice?

Buffing might be appropriate if the floor finish is in a good state but somewhat dirty or lacking shine.

This cleaning technique can be suggested if:

• The floor finish is slightly scuffed

• Some of its parts have lost shine

• There are some scratches on the floor finish

• It still has protective coating

• Dirt is not too embedded into the finish

• There are no peeling or yellowed coating areas

Buffing can help your property remain clean and professional between full refinishes.

Benefits of Commercial Floor Buffing

There are quite a few advantages to using professional VCT buffing. Buffing can help bring back surface gloss, remove visible scuffs, enhance the look of heavily trafficked areas, and increase the life of your current floor finish.

Since buffing is less aggressive compared to stripping, it typically takes less time and is disruptive to business.

Buffing vs. High-Speed Burnishing

Although some people use the terms buffing and burnishing interchangeably, they are not necessarily the same thing. While traditional buffing can be done at a slower speed using a floor machine, high-speed burnishing is usually done at a higher speed to give a more polished finish to certain floor finishes. The best way to determine what works for you is to consider the condition of your floors.

What Is VCT Floor Stripping and Refinishing?

The VCT floor stripping process is a more intensive procedure. It strips out the old wax, wear layer, embedded soil, stains, residues, and build-up from the surface of the floors.

After stripping out the old coating, the floor is cleaned, neutralized, and dried. Multiple layers of industrial-quality floor finishes are applied to the floors to restore the protective coating.

When Does a VCT Floor Need Stripping?

A floor stripping and refinishing service is normally necessary when the coating cannot be rejuvenated by any other means of cleaning, polishing, or scrubbing.

Some of the tell-tale signs are:

• Scratches and scuff marks

• Dark/grey traffic lanes

• Yellowed floor coating

• Flaking or peeling coatings

• Uneven shine on the floors

• Soil embedded under the coating

• Overbuild of wax or polish

• Loss of the coating on the floor

When these problems are present, buffing may improve the appearance temporarily, but it will not correct the damaged foundation underneath.

Benefits of VCT Floor Stripping and Refinishing

Professional stripping ensures that the worn layer is stripped off and that the floor maintenance process can begin anew on a clean surface.

The advantages include:

• Enhanced look of the floor

• Wax removal

• Uniform sheen

• Added protection from traffic & spills

• Simplified floor maintenance

• Increased life expectancy of flooring

• Improved appearance of the facilities

A proper application of the finish ensures a protective coating for the vinyl composition tile.

VCT Floor Stripping vs. Buffing

The key difference is the depth of the service.

Buffing works on the existing floor finish, while stripping removes the old finish completely.

Choose Buffing When:

• The finish is still bonded properly

• The floor has only light scuffs

• The shine has recently faded

• There is no peeling or yellowing

• Routine maintenance has been consistent

• The flooring needs a quick appearance improvement

How Often Should VCT Floors Be Buffed?

The frequency of buffing will vary according to the volume of traffic and property type. High-traffic buildings such as educational institutions, healthcare centers, retail spaces, apartment lobbies, and office buildings might require frequent buffing at intervals of weeks or even months. Lower traffic buildings such as office spaces will require infrequent buffing. A custom flooring program will help determine how often to buff your floors based on their condition.

How Often Should VCT Floors Be Stripped?

Most commercial VCT floors require stripping and refinishes every 12 to 24 months. Some higher traffic properties require it every six months. However, the frequency can also depend upon winters' salt application, moisture exposure, floor matting, use of cleaning products, and furniture moving.

How Railway City Carpet Cleaning Determines the Right Service

Railway City Carpet Cleaning does not advise stripping unless a less intrusive service would be sufficient to bring back the flooring to a good-looking appearance. Prior to advising what needs to be done, our specialists check the state of the floor surface, traffic paths, coating condition, finish thickness, scratch marks, buildup, and damaged parts.

If the finish remains in great shape, professional buffing or burnishing could do the job. If the floor coating is worn out, discolored, peeling off, or heavily contaminated, stripping and refinishing would do better. Our company offers our services to commercial and institutional properties located in St. Thomas, London, Tillsonburg, Ingersoll, Aylmer, and nearby areas.

Schedule a Commercial VCT Floor Assessment

The choice whether to strip or buff the floor depends upon the condition of the existing coating. Minor dullness and scuff marks can be polished by buffing, whereas damaged, yellowed, or heavily worn-out floors should be stripped and finished.

Call Railway City Carpet Cleaning for a complimentary assessment today!