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Member
of the
National
Wood
Flooring
Association
| | Most finishes used for wood flooring can be split into 2 categories: "film forming" and "non film forming".
Most flooring companies only offer film forming finishes,
such as polyurethanes. We are proud to offer the amazing
penetrating / hardening oil finish used in the Sydney Opera House in
Australia as well as throughout museums, airports and other high
traffic areas in Europe and throughout the world. | FILM FORMING FINISHES | NON FILM FORMING FINISHES | | The most popular film forming
finish in use today are polyurethanes. Both the oil modified
(also knows as oil or solvent based) and water borne (also known as as
water based, latex or acrylic) finishes for a film on top of the wood.
One of the latest advances in water borne urethanes is the development
of "aluminum-oxide" urethanes. It is the most durable, quick drying,
non yellowing, low VOC urethane finish.  Consumer ReportsŪ
rated high grade water borne urethanes superior to oil based!
Not all waterborne (water based) urethanes are created equal! Lower cost
waterborne finishes have more "acrylic" fillers and less urethane
molecules. High quality (commercial and industrial grade) waterborne
products however are 100% polyurethane. These products are harder and more
durable than their oil-based counterparts. Paul's European Touch Pro Wood
Floors only uses commercial and industrial grade waterborne products.
Waterborne urethane finishes
have a low VOC (Volatile Organic Component) because they
use water instead of solvents to carry the urethane molecules. They dry
very
quickly, in approximately 1 to 2 hours, and have very little odor.
Non-yellowing waterborne urethanes produce a more desirable color. Due
to
their consistency, water borne urethanes work best when more, thinner,
harder coats are used
to build-up the finish. A minimum of 3 coats are needed, however we
highly recommend 4 coats for a more uniform look, smoother finish
and ultimate durability.
Click
here to see the results of a "real life" independent testing done at
Colorado State University.
Solvent (oil)-based finishes have a high VOC content, take much longer to dry
(often 15-20 hours or more) with a strong chemical odor that can linger for days.
Turns orangey-yellowish color over time. | Penetrating
oil and wax finishes do not form a "plastic" film on top of the wood.
Instead, they penetrate into the pores of the wood forming a
protective barrier in the wood fiber. This produces the most natural, beautiful, hand rubbed look and feel among all finishes.
Our special european style penetrating oil is very high in SOLIDS content and it HARDENS
as it cures. This provides the ultimate durability, not
possible with other penetrating oils that are mostly vegetable oils and
waxes. Our penetrating/hardening oil finish constains NO WAX!
By
eliminating the "plastic" film on top of the wood (such as the film
that polyurethanes form) you eliminate all the surface scratches
associated with that film. Our penetrating / hardening oil is an
enviromentally friendly product with very low VOC's. It is the
ideal finish for those customers who demand a truly natural low sheen
look withouth a plastic film on top of the wood that is also extremely
durable.
Note: Do not
consfuse "oil based" finishes with "penetrating oil" finishes.
Oil based generally refers to oil based polyurethane which is a
highly toxic, slow drying, film forming product. By contrast,
penetrating oils are low odor, low VOC and non film forming. |
Another consideration is sheen - the relative
glossiness of the finish. People have different preferences when it
comes to sheen. Some people prefer a gloss finish while others like a soft
satin look. Some finishes dry very clear while others add a rich warm glow to
the floor. Penetrating oils only come in a low sheen or satin look.
The
last consideration is cost.
It is true that oil based polyurethanes are less expensive than high
grade waterborne products or the top of the line high solids
penetrating/hardening oils, but the finish cost represent only a
small portion of the overall
cost of the job. Shorter completion time and not having to move
out of the house is also a valuable benefit of the penetrating oils or
water borne products. The higher end finishes are longer lasting,
reducing the cost over the long run. Quick drying, low odor and environmental
friendliness are advantages that weight the decision in favor of penetrating oils or waterborne
finishes.
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