Floor Stripping & Waxing
Floor stripping and waxing is built for commercial spaces with vinyl, VCT, or compatible flooring that has lost its original protective finish after months of wear, traffic, and accumulated cleaning residue. The result isn't only visual — it's a full reset of the protective layer that extends the floor's useful life.
Nickel & Krome works in offices, retail spaces, clinics, building lobbies, and common areas across Montreal, Laval, and the North Shore, with a surface assessment before any work begins.
Direct answer
Floor stripping and waxing resets vinyl, VCT, and compatible commercial flooring by removing worn finish layers and applying fresh protective coats, typically once or twice a year for high-traffic zones. Nickel & Krome assesses the floor type and condition before treatment.
- Vinyl, VCT, linoleum, and sealed terrazzo
- Typical cadence: 1-2x/year for high-traffic zones
Why it matters
An untreated commercial floor deteriorates both visually and structurally. Accumulated maintenance residue, worn finish layers, and clogged surface pores eventually make daily cleaning ineffective.
- Protection against scuffs, scratches, and traffic wear
- A more uniform, less dull appearance across the whole surface
- Easier daily upkeep after treatment
- Longer useful life for the flooring
Compatible floor types
Stripping and waxing works on floor coverings designed to accept an applied finish. Porous floors, unsealed surfaces, or sensitive natural materials require an assessment before intervention.
- Vinyl and VCT (vinyl composition tile)
- Commercial linoleum and sealed terrazzo
- Sealed concrete surfaces in certain cases
- Generally excluded: wood, unglazed ceramic, carpet, epoxy
Stripping and waxing process
The process follows a strict sequence to avoid sealing residue underneath the new finish layer.
- Assessment of floor type and condition of the zones to be treated
- Preparation and protection of adjacent areas
- Mechanical stripping to remove worn coating layers
- Rinsing, neutralizing, and full drying before finishing
- Application of finish coats based on the protection level required
- Final check: shine, adhesion, and uniformity
Recommended frequency
Frequency depends directly on traffic volume and the type of footwear or loads crossing the floor. A high-traffic building lobby may need two treatments a year, while a closed office can go 12 to 18 months.
- High-traffic zones: 1 to 2 times per year
- Standard offices and units: once a year or as needed
- Lobbies, corridors, and common areas: based on wear cadence
Frequently asked questions
- Are all commercial floors compatible?
- No. Stripping and waxing is built for compatible floor coverings (vinyl, VCT, linoleum, sealed terrazzo). Wood, textured ceramic, or carpet floors need a different treatment.
- How long before the floor can be used again?
- Usually a few hours depending on the surface area treated. The floor must dry completely before being put back into circulation.
- How is the quote established?
- Price depends on square footage, the number of coating layers to remove, floor condition, and access. We frame the scope and cost before starting work.