Blogs & News
- Category: Flooring
- DATE: March 31, 2025
Keep Your Gym Floor Looking and Performing Its Best: Schedule a Summer Screen and Recoat
Maintaining your hardwood gym floor is essential for safety, durability, and aesthetics. As a facilities manager, athletic director, principal, teacher, or coach, you understand the importance of maintaining your school’s facilities, and your gym floor is no exception. Scheduling a screen and recoat should be a top priority. An ideal time to complete this essential gym floor maintenance is during summer break.
What is a Screen and Recoat?
A screen and recoat is a yearly maintenance process that extends the life of your sports flooring. This process involves lightly abrading the existing finish (screening) and applying a fresh coat to restore durability and shine. Regular maintenance helps prevent costly gym floor repairs or full replacements.
Why Schedule It During Summer Break?
While gym floor refinishing can be done anytime, summer is the optimal season due to:
- More Ideal Humidity Levels: Higher summer humidity expands flooring strips, reducing gaps between boards. This prevents issues like poly-balls (bubbling or peeling finish due to improper curing in dry conditions). However, too much humidity can also cause problems, including extended drying times and slight cupping of floorboards, which can make screening difficult, or in some cases, impossible. This is especially relevant if the gym does not have air conditioning to regulate humidity levels properly. The good news is that with the right expertise, these potential issues can be assessed, avoided, or managed. H2I Group’s flooring team would assess gym conditions to ensure the optimal timing for a successful recoat.
- Minimal Disruption: Summer break allows for maintenance work without interrupting daily activities or athletic programs. The screen and recoat process takes 1-2 days, with different curing times depending on the finish used:
- Water-Based Finish: Cures within 24 hours after drying (low odor, eco-friendly option).
- Oil-Based Finish: Requires 7 days after drying (more cost-effective but with stronger odors).
- Prepares the Floor for the School Year: A summer gym floor recoat ensures your surface is game-ready for fall sports, enhancing traction, durability, and safety for student-athletes.
Can a Screen and Recoat Be Done in Winter?
Yes, and with the right approach, it can be just as effective as a summer recoat. If your gym has a humidification system, proper moisture levels could be maintained. Without adequate humidity, the finish can seep into gaps, leading to complications when humidity rises later in the year. H2I Group’s experts would evaluate your facility’s environment and advise on whether conditions are suitable.
Benefits of Regular Gym Floor Maintenance
- Extends the lifespan of your gym flooring
- Enhances player safety and performance
- Prevents expensive repairs or full replacements
- Keeps your school’s athletic facilities looking professional
Take Action Now!
Proactive gym floor maintenance is key to preserving your investment. We will work with you to determine the best time for a maintenance coat. Scheduling a screen and recoat every year keeps your gym floor looking and performing at its best.
Contact H2I Group today to schedule your summer gym floor screen and recoat service.
For more details about our gym flooring solutions, visit: H2I Group Flooring Solutions.
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