05/15/2018
Thinking of refinishing your Hardwood floors. Here are some recommendations of different products to use to battle those old worn out floors or to shine up some slightly worn down floors. There are many different options. Get a hold of us today to find out what one is right for your business.
*Wax:
Easy to apply
Not as durable as poly finishes
Low luster
Penetrates into wood
Needs regular upkeep (refinishing)
Mild odor
Must be completely removed before applying a polyurethane finish
*Water-Based Polyurethane:
Fast drying time (2 to 4 hours between coats)
More expensive than oil poly
Low odor; low VOCs
Less tough than oil poly
Doesn’t yellow like oil polys
*Oil-Based Polyurethane:
Less expensive than water-based poly
Long drying time (8 to 10 hours between coats)
Extremely tough
High odor during application; high VOCs
Gets yellow with age (benefit to some)
*Acid-Cured (Swedish) Finish:
Extremely hard and durable
Difficult to refinish (must use acid-cured finish if used previously)
Fast drying time (2 hours) but up to 60 days to fully cure
Volatile odors; high VOCs
*Moisture-Cured Urethane:
Extremely durable (one of the hardest)
Extremely high VOCs (fumes may last for weeks)
Fast drying time allows for multiple coats per day
Low humidity extends drying time
*Penetrating Oil Sealer:
Not as durable as a poly finish
Non-toxic ingredients
Should be reapplied every 2 to 3 years
Mild odor
Mellow sheen
*Aluminum Oxide:
Extremely hard and durable (25 years)
Only available with prefinished flooring
Difficult to refinish
After 25 years, you might have to replace the flooring
*Shellac:
Easy to work with
Few harmful VOCs
Most shellac contains wax — refinishing with modern products isn’t possible
Must be recoated periodically
Easy spot repairs
Touch-up. For surface scratches and normal wear and tear, we lightly sand the finish (called screening) and apply a new topcoat. This method is recommended before the floor is to worn down. Remember to choose the same type of finish product that was on your flooring originally to keep the floor looking new! If you have questions on what type of finish was used, our experts can recommend the correct finish.
Overhaul. For damaged flooring, we have to completely sand the old finish off down to the bare wood. Depending on the floor type one of the recommended refinishing will make your floors shine!
