Wood Floor Finishes
Surfaces Finishes
Lasting beauty requires minimal care with today's
wood floor finishes. These finishes are usually
urethanes and remain on the surface of the wood
and form a protective coating. Surfaces finishes
are popular today because they are durable, water-resistant
and require minimal maintenance. Various gloss levels
are available.
Types of Surface Finishes
Oil-modified urethane is easy to apply. It is a
solvent-base polyurethane that dries in about eight
hours. This type of finish ambers.
Moisture-cured urethane is solvent-base polyurethane
that is more durable and more moisture resistant
than other surface finishes. Moisture-cure urethane
comes in non-yellowing and in ambering types and
is generally available in satin or gloss. These
finishes are extremely difficult to apply, have
a strong odor and are best left to the professional.
Conversion varnish dries clear to slight amber
and is durable. These finishes have an extremely
strong odor and should be applied by the highly
skilled flooring professional.
Water-based urethane finishes are clear and non-yellowing.
They have a milder odor and dry in about two to
three hours.
Penetrating Stain and Wax - This finish soaks into
the pores of the wood and hardens to form a protective
penetrating seal. The wax gives a low-gloss satin
sheen. It is generally maintained with solvent-based
(never water-based) waxes, buffing pastes or cleaning
liquids (specifically made for wax-finished wood
floors and an additional thin application of wax
as needed. |
