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Wood Floor Finishes
Wood Flooring Finish Types and
Application Tips
By Mark J. Donovan
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Wood floor finishes are designed to
protect and preserve the beauty of hardwood floors. They are also designed to
reduce the maintenance effort and frequency of wood floor restoration. Besides
protecting wood floors from dirt, grime, moisture and overall wear and tear,
wood floor finishes also provide color and shine. Wood floor finishes come in
two main camps, penetrating and surface finishes.
Penetrating Wood
Floor Finishes
Penetrating floor finishes, as the name suggests, penetrate deep into the wood
floor surface grains and solidify to create a protective seal.
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The most common type of penetrating
floor finish involves applying a penetrating stain to the wood floor, followed
by an application of wax that is buffed into the wood floor. Penetrating oil
sealers are made from tung or linseed oil that include additives for speeding up
drying time and improving hardness.
Surface Wood Floor
Finishes
Surface wood floor finishes, again as the name suggests, are floor finishes that
provide a protective coating over the surface of the wood floor. Surface wood
floor finishes are very popular today as they are easy to apply, are very
durable, and are low maintenance. Surface wood floor finishes are comprised of
synthetic resin blends and typically are referred to as urethane or polyurethane
floor finishes. Surface wood floor finishes can be purchased in a variety of
sheens, including matte, satin, semi-gloss and high-gloss.
Surface Wood Floor
Finishes
Oil modified urethane is probably the most common type of surface floor
finish and it is easy to apply. It is a petroleum based product that consists of
a blend of resins and plasticizers to achieve a solid finish that is also
moisture resistant. Typically oil modified urethane wood floor finishes dry in
about 8 to 12 hours depending upon temperature and humidity. As oil modified
urethane ages it normally ambers in color.
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Water based urethane is
another type of surface wood floor finish. It is a water based urethane product,
again with a blend of resins and plasticizers to produce a solid and moisture
resistance seal. Water based urethane is more difficult to apply than oil
modified urethane and has a slight odor. It is also more expensive than other
types of surface wood floor finishes. Typically it dries in a few hours and
leaves a clear and non-yellowing surface.
Moisture cured urethane wood
floor finishes are solvent based polyurethane that are more durable and
resistant to water than any other type of surface floor finish.
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Moisture cured urethane is difficult
to apply and has a strong odor, and should be left to the pros to apply. Drying
time is dependent upon humidity levels. When dry, it leaves a clear or amber
appearance depending upon the type purchased.
Applying Wood
Floor Finishes
When applying any type of wood floor finish a respirator should be worn to
protect against inhalation of fumes and odors. Also, many wood floor finish
products are flammable and combustible. Consequently make sure to avoid any type
of flame when applying wood floor finishes.
Before applying a wood floor finish, make sure the wood floor is completely free
of dirt and dust. With most types of wood floor finishes 2 to 3 coats should be
applied to maximize floor protection and to bring out the wood floor’s full
natural beauty.
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