EXPERT Q&A

WITH CHRIS LEE OF SWINARD WOODEN FLOORS, CHRISTCHURCH

> What type of floors do you blond? Blonding works well with most solid timbers, particularly oak.

> How long does it take you? It all depends on the size and condition of the timber floor, but on average a kitchen-and-dining area of 70 square metres would take five days.

> How much do you charge? About $90 (including GST) per square metre to sand, fill, stain and apply three coats of a commercial-grade, two-pot waterborne polyurethane.

> What products do you use? Mainly Pallmann products from Germany.

> What is your advice for those considering DIY? Unless you really know what you are doing, it is best to use a professional. If you get the sanding and/or staining wrong or uneven, you have to sand it all off, right back to the natural timber. You would lose a considerable amount of the timber thickness doing this.