Wood Flooring And Varnish

Wood floors are a great addition to any home but they can look very different according to how they are finished

. In general there are those that are coated with a varnish type finish, oiled floors and waxed floors. In addition to the types of finish available it may also be worth looking at the health aspects of different types of finish as some can be much more harmful to the environment of your home than others.

Varnishes

In general it is accepted that a varnish is probably the best seal for a wooden floor. This is largely because we now use most of the rooms in our homes all the time and therefore the floor is subject to a lot of traffic. The most common varnishes are polyurethane. Solvent-based polyurethane dominated the market for some time until acrylic and polyurethane acrylic water based seals were developed for environmental and health reasons. Solvent based varnish also take a long time to dry but the water based alternatives can be over-covered in 3 to 4 hours sometimes, and if you get up early enough you can do the required 2,or even 3 coats in a day! Solvent based varnishes have been proven to be bad for your health and you should never be exposed to this kind of product in a room without significant ventilation. Water based varnish for wooden flooring can be used in the majority of cases with satisfactory technical results. By using water varnish one avoids exposure to both solvents and formaldehyde. Floors previously treated with formaldehyde-emitting, acid-hardening curing varnishes or, in the case of factory-made flooring, with UV-curing acrylate lacquer, can be varnished over with water varnish, so long as the surface is clean. Even if they are completely transparent, all varnishes will alter the colour of the timber slightly. This is because they will reflect and refract the light differently into the grain of the wood highlighting different bits of the wood as you walk across the floor. If you are unsure about a varnish it is always best to test it on a spare piece of wood before coating an entire floor. Varnish is available in degrees of durability. For very heavily used floors and even for commercial use there are varnishes that harden rock hard as well as light use varnishes. Varnishes are generally available in a matt, satin and gloss finish so that you can pick to have a shiny floor or one that is not so obvious.

Wax

Wax is a traditional way of extending the life of a wooden floor. It should be used regularly and buffed to a shine, however with wax there is the problem of build up and therefore it needs to be removed from time to time with a neutral detergent. As your wooden floor is a natural thing it is essential to remember to treat it so, no caustic solutions should be used on a timber floor.

Wax can be used on timber floors without sealing them. Waxes like varnishes come in solvent based or water based products but neither one can be used with the other. Wax is also like varnish in the way that it is available in different colours, mostly used to give an antique look. In general wax will restore a more natural beauty to the wood than varnish and wont have that synthetic look that can come with a varnished floor however it will not give anywhere near as hard a surface and will need regular maintenance to stay in top condition

Oil

Oil is also a traditional way of keeping a wooden floor in tip top condition however it is seldom used these days as it can trap dust and can leave the surface looking dirty. This is a matter of taste some people prefer the look that oils give a wooden floor so it is not to be ruled out when thinking about how you would like your floor to look. Oils generally will harden the surface fibres of the timber and will improve the durability of the floor, sinking quite deep, comparatively, into the grain protecting the timber and enhancing, although slightly darkening, the grain. Overall though, the timber will remain soft if treated with oil and it is not recommended for areas with high foot traffic. Maintenance is fairly easy, rubbing over with a scourer and re-oiling when the floor goes dull.

Whatever finish you decide on for your wooden floor you may find it useful to talk to a professional wooden floor installation company. For information and to look at a wide range of different products on the market go to www.timberlandflooring.co.uk

by: Fiona Muller

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