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
