Hardwood ground finishes are available in numerous completely different varieties, so it’s essential to know when to make use of a sure sort and never one other.
Right here’s a rundown of the most typical forms of end you’ll discover, and the options of every.
A very talked-about end selection, particularly for industrial and sports activities ground settings. Oil-based polyurethane requires a protracted drying time between coats: most varieties take 8 to 10 hours to dry. Oil-based poly has a excessive VOC content material and a robust odor when utilized. Very sturdy. Tends to show a yellow or amber colour with age.
Has a decrease VOC content material, a milder odor, and requires much less drying time than oil-based poly. Most varieties require simply two to 4 hours of drying time between coats. Doesn’t yellow as a lot as oil-based polys do. Water-based polyurethane normally requires the applying of extra coats than oil-based end does. Accessible in single-component and two-component varieties. Dearer than oil-based poly finishes.
Moisture-cured polyurethane
Such a end cures by absorbing moisture vapor from the air. Extraordinarily excessive VOC content material and really robust fumes––correct air flow and respirators are required throughout utility. Extraordinarily sturdy. It’s extra waterproof than most different finishes. Most formulation amber with age. Comparatively costly in comparison with different finishes.
Penetrating oil / sealer
Because the identify suggests, such a end penetrates the wooden and fills the pores to create a sturdy seal. Penetrating oil consists of a mix of pure oils, normally together with tung oil. Tends to show an amber colour over time. Very sturdy. Gentle odor, low VOC, mellow sheen. Easy to use and contact up. Wants lengthy drying occasions between coats––normally 24 to 48 hours––however will flip whitish in colour whether it is allowed to dry too rapidly. Penetrating oil is sweet to be used on vintage flooring.
Among the many most sturdy forms of ground finishes. Extraordinarily excessive VOC content material. Takes about two hours to dry in between coats, and takes as much as 60 days to completely treatment.
Wax
This was a standard hardwood ground end of selection earlier than polyurethane finishes had been created. Wax seeps into the pores of the wooden to present it additional sturdiness, nevertheless it’s susceptible to water injury. Wax wants common upkeep and isn’t as sturdy as poly. Low luster, amber look. Tends to darken the wooden. Low VOC content material.
Shellac
Often used together with wax; shellac is utilized to the ground as a base coat and wax is utilized on prime. Some shellac merchandise usually are not appropriate with fashionable forms of end, so a ground that accommodates shellac needs to be examined earlier than something new is utilized to it. Take a look at adhesion of the end you need to apply. Shellac is non-toxic and has a really low VOC content material. It’s accessible in “dewaxed” kind from quite a lot of producers. Shellac isn’t straightforward to use. Shellac doesn’t require buffing between coats and dries in a short time. Nonetheless, it’s not as sturdy as polyurethane finishes, and it’s susceptible to wreck from water, alcohol, and ammonia.
Varnish
Varnish was generally used to complete wooden floors earlier than polyurethane was launched to the market. Very sturdy. Provides the ground a transparent to barely amber look. Very robust odor, and has a excessive VOC content material.
Acrylic impregnated end
Not often utilized in residential settings, this end is injected straight into the ground to be able to create an especially sturdy seal. Primarily utilized in industrial areas that need to endure heavy foot site visitors.
Metropolis Flooring Provide shares quite a lot of completely different finishes to fit your wants. View our choice of hardwood ground finishes.