 | Roland Dalrymple has owned Quality Floor in Pittsburg/Frontenac for 15 years. He received his degree in Building Construction Tech at Pittsburg State and has been in the construction related field all his life. For more information or to reach Roland please call 620-231-2690.
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Home Improvement
2013-03-25 15:48:59
What should I consider when choosing wood flooring finishes?
Q-We are completely rehabbing an old farmhouse. One of the biggest issues is the wood flooring. Right now, we are wondering what type of finish we should consider. Do you have any recommendations? Thanks in advance for your advice.
A-When choosing a flooring finish, consider your lifestyle and maintenance preferences. Not all flooring finishes are the same, or have the same requirements. All wood floor and finishes will need routine sweeping or dust mopping, but which one you choose will have an impact on the long-term care and look of the flooring.
First, you can choose from surface finishes. These are durable, water resistant, and require minimal care. Surface finishes are made from blends of synthetic resins and usually referred to as urethanes or polyurethanes.
The types of surface finishes available include:
* Water based finishes, which appear clear and resist yellowing over time.
* Oil-based finishes, which appear amber in color, are durable, have a mild odor, and have an eight-hour drying time.
* Acid-cured finishes, appear clear to slightly amber, dries in three hours, and are extremely durable.
* Moisture-cured finishes, which have a strong odor at applications, dry in 3 hours in humid conditions, and are durable and more moisture resistant than most finishes.
Wax finishes are another option. These soak into the pores of the wood and harden to form a protective covering. Wax finishes are durable but do show spots from water and other contaminates.
Finally, here are acrylic impregnated finishes, which are injected into the wood to create a super-hard floor. This application is rarely used in residences and most appropriate for high-traffic commercial settings, such as malls.
For most homes, surface finishes are the prefect choice for low maintenance, high durability, and beautiful results.
