thisplace.com.au - Wooden Floors - Type of Surface Finishes

Surface finishes which are relatively easy to apply and will give satisfactory service include polyurethanes, varnish, shellac, lacquer and some others. The polyurethanes are some of the most popular surface finishes because of their high resistance to moisture, mechanical wear, stains and spills. They are available with a high gloss or matte finish. Polyurethanes are either oil modified or moisture-cured. The oil modified types are the easiest to apply.

Varnishes

Varnishes can also give satisfactory performance. However, varnishes do have a greater tendency to scratch, and worn spots are difficult to patch without showing lines between the old and new finish. Varnishes specifically designated for floors tend to be more durable.

A glossy or matte finish is available. Varnishes may be based on phenolic, alkyl, epoxy or polyurethane resins. Shellac and lacquer are sometimes used as floor finishes. These finishes will dry rapidly, and more than one coat can often be applied in the same day. However, shellac and lacquer are not as resistant to moisture, spills and mechanical wear as are the penetrating sealers, polyurethanes and varnishes.

Surface finishes

Surface finishes will usually give a longer life than penetrating sealers without any attention other than regular sweeping or dry mopping. However, when surface finishes must be renewed, it is usually necessary to refinish the entire room. Staining In most cases, it is preferable to maintain the natural colour of hardwood floors by using a clear finish. However, if a colour different than the natural wood colour is desired or if the natural wood colour is too variable, a stain may be used. Stains do not penetrate wood deeply, and they may fade with continued exposure to bright light. Open grained woods such as oak, ash, pecan and walnut will take stain easily while the close grained woods such as maple, and to a lesser extent, birch and beech, will take stain much more slowly. Soft-woods do not stain well since the less dense springwood easily stains dark whereas the dense latewood will hardly stain at all.

Be certain to use "non-grain-raising" stains

Take the same care in cleaning and preparing a surface to be stained as would be done in finishing it. Oil-based pigmented wiping stains are probably the most common. The pigments are in suspension so the material must be stirred regularly during use to maintain a uniform colour. The pigment collects in the open pores of the wood and thus accentuates the grain pattern and alters the wood colour. Pigmented stains are usually applied by brushing. After the stain has penetrated the surface and the desired effect is achieved, all excess is wiped off with clean rags.

Coloured or pigmented penetrating sealers

In this case, the pigment is mixed with the sealer, and both are applied at the same time. Pigmented penetrating sealers will not obscure the natural wood grain or shorten the life of the floor. Varnish stains are similar to penetrating sealers since the colouring pigment is formulated with the varnish. Therefore, the wood is coloured at the same time it is finished. Since the colouring pigment remains in the varnish as it cures on the surface, much of the natural wood grain and colour is obscured.

Source: Michigan State University