|
Why use Water Based Sealers? Water based sealers contain only a small amount of VOC. By choosing to finish your floors with water based sealers or natural oil, consumers and contractors can minimise their exposure to harmful VOC. When these products are applied to the floor it is the water that contains the solids and matting agents that are released into the home when drying, not solvents! By choosing to use these products clients can dramatically reduce their exposure to VOC as water based sealers are regulated to contain a lower amount of VOC compared to traditional oil and solvent based products. Water based sealers also have a faster drying time than traditional sealers, which allow work to be completed quicker. The non-yellowing properties also offer a positive reason to select these products as floors will maintain their natural look and colour for longer. Why would I NOT use a water based environmentally friendly floor finish to sealer my wooden floor boards? The most common reason people do not choose water based or natural oil products to seal their timber floors is the cost. The cost of these materials is significantly higher than more traditional oil and solvent based products, on average 4 times the cost of solvent based polyurethane, Tung oil and modified oils. Floor sanding northern beaches timber floors prior to finishing is also more detailed and time consuming and the application of a water based product or natural wood oil requires a skilled and experience floor finisher to achieve a professional finish. Unskilled tradesmen will generally recommend a solvent based or modified oil as these products are cheaper and easier to apply. Can I use water based products on any wood floor? With Australia's many different species of wood it is important to take into consideration the compatibility of timber sealers with various wood species prior to application. When floor polishing northern beaches, I will always recommend the use of an environmentally friendly floor finish for clients; however, when working with particularly resinous timbers such as Australia's box timbers, I would generally recommend a natural wood oil as opposed to a water based polyurethane. The reason being is that certain timbers may reject various floor finishes. It is imperative that a skilled tradesman is employed to recommend the best product for each individual floor, so a professional and long lasting finish is achieved. Are environmentally friendly floor finishes difficult to maintain and as durable as traditional finishes? When using a water based sealer it is important to use a commercial grade 2 part product. Single part products do not have the durability that consumers expect and will most likely need refinishing in just a few years. The maintenance of these commercial grade products are the same as traditional products, requiring only periodical cleaning with a Ph balanced cleaning product. Natural oils will need to be periodically re oiled to maintain and prolong the finish.
Related Articles -
floor sanding northern beaches, floor sanding sydney, floor polishing sydney, floor sanding and polishing, floor sander,
| 
