Types of Wood Floor Finishes: Refinishing Hardwood Floors & Finishing Wood Floor Directory

WOOD FLOOR FINISHES

FREE
Product Quote
from several sources

SURFACE FINISHES - PENETRATING STAIN/WAX
WAX - CUSTOM FINISHES - CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS

Wood Floor Finishes create lasting beauty and requires minimal care with today's modern technology in wood floor finish products. The right finish protects wood flooring from wear, dirt and moisture while giving the wood an attractive color and sheen. Today most wood floors are finished with a stain and a top coat. Technology has provided a wide selection of wood flooring finishes, each with its own distinct benefits and appearances.

Surface Finishes - Surface finishes are very popular today because they are durable, water-resistant and require minimal maintenance. Surface finishes are blends of synthetic resins. These finishes most often referred to as urethanes or poly-urethanes remain on the surface of the wood and form a protective coating. They are generally available in high-gloss, semi-gloss, satin and matte. Any one of the surface finishes are appropriate for the kitchen.

There are basically five(5) types of surface finishes:
1.Oil-modified urethane is generally the most common surface finish and is easy to apply. It is a solvent-base polyurethane that dries in about eight hours. This type of finish ambers with age.

2.Moisture-cure urethane is a solvent-base polyurethane that is more durable and more moisture resistant than other surface finishes. Moisture-cure urethane comes in non-yellowing and in ambering types and is generally available in satin or gloss. These finishes are extremely difficult to apply, have a strong odor and are best left to the professional.

3.Swedish finish or acid cure urethane is a clear and fast drying finish. It is durable and non-yellowing. These finishes have an extremely strong odor and should be applied by the highly skilled wood flooring professional.

4.Water-based urethane is a waterborne urethane that dries by water evaporation. These finishes are clear and non-yellowing. They have a milder odor than oil-modified finishes have and they dry in about two to three hours. Water-based urethanes are generally more expensive.

5.Aluminum Oxide- The newest and toughest wood floor finish now being used by major manufacturers. This finish in multiple coats (factory finished product only) carry a 25 year limited wear warranty, and promises to out last most finishes now being used on prefinished products.

Penetrating Stain and Wax - This finish soaks into the pores of the wood and hardens to form a protective penetrating seal. The wax gives a low-gloss satin sheen that wears only as the wood wears. It will not chip or scratch and is generally maintained with additional thin applications of wax. Usually, wax finishes are applied more often than surface finishes. Only solvent-based (never water-based) waxes, buffing pastes or cleaning liquids specifically made for wood floors should be used.

Wax- The oldest, and in some ways the best. Wax is the easiest to apply, least expensive, fastest drying, easiest to repair, and with proper care will survive forever. Wax over a penetrating stain, and the system is in the wood so you wear the wood, not the finish. Proper care involves maintenance with colored waxes. Water will spot the waxed surface and must be removed (or prevented). Buffing is required. Periodically, wax must be added, and this conjures up the memory of Grandma on her knees.

CUSTOM FINISHES "Custom," by definition, means performed to individual specifications. Custom finishing of wood floors is performed in the home on the completely installed new floor, or to refurbish a previously finished floor. Custom finishing permits the decorator and owner to select from a full range of color and surface types', from shine to sheen, not being restricted to factory-selected.
Things you SHOULD NOT expect from a wood floor finish !

1.A table top finish. Each piece of oak flooring sands differently depending on its grain type (plain or quartered) making it virtually impossible for a completely flat surface.
2. Dust-free finish. Since your floor is being finished in your home it is not possible to achieve a "clean room" environment. Some dust will fall onto the freshly applied top finish.
3. A monochromatic floor. Wood, as a natural product, varies from piece to piece. Remember it is not fabricated -- it is milled from a tree and will have grain and color variations consistent with the grade and species of flooring selected.
4. A floor that will not indent. In spite of the term "hardwood", Oak flooring will indent under high heel traffic (especially heels in disrepair). The finish that is applied will not prevent the dents.
5. A floor without cracks between the boards, or within the parquet pieces. Although your new floor may start tight together, as a natural product it will continue to absorb and release moisture. This natural process will cause the flooring to expand and contract from season to season -- resulting in cracks between some of the pieces in your floor. Some stain colors, such as white, will show this process more than others.

Understand that furniture, cabinetry, doors, etc., are fabricated in a factory under ideal conditions and that they contain 1-10 different pieces of wood. Their floor is fabricated in their own home and is made up of 300 to a thousand individually different pieces. And that their floor is never to be duplicated -- a truly custom floor of their own !

See Related Pages:

Refinishing Old Wood Floors
Mixing Oil & Water Based Finishes
Trouble Shooting Finishes

Installing Wood Floors - Hot linked to NOFMA Installation Manual, "How To" Procedures, FAQ's, Products, Technical Help, Wood Types, Styles & Trends.

Custom Wood Floors - This detailed site includes: A Photo Gallery, Topics pertaining to ALL types of Custom Wood Floors such as, Accents, Borders, Distressed, Feature strips, Inlays, Medallions, Mixed media, Ornamental, Painted Wood Floors, Parquets, Plank flooring, Stained & Tinted Hardwood Floors. If considering Wood Floors, and want something different than most, this is a must see site !

Exotic Wood Flooring - A detailed site listing over 60 exotic / imported wood floor species.

Plank Wood Floors - A complete site dedicated to Plank Wood Floors from domestic & exotic species, to the latest trends in distressed plank wood floors.

Wood Floor Showroom- This site provides a step by step FAQ's when purchasing wood floor products

Refinishing Manual	Technical Help FAQ's	E-Mail Us	Maintenance	How to Install
Styles & Trends	Photo Gallery	Products & Supplies	Directories-Site Index	#1 Wood Floor site

Site Index - Directory	Purchasing Direct	GET LISTED at this site
Types of Wood Floors	FREE QUOTE	Manufacturers Directory
Photo Gallery	Product Inquiry	Distributors Directory
Styles & Trends	Link & Site Placement	Contractors & Retailers
FAQ's - Technical Help	Wood Floor Info Package	Trade Assoc.'s / Schools
Wood Floor Species	LATEST Wood Floor NEWS	Consultants / Inspections
Installation Procedures	Classifieds / Want Ads	Related Links & Sites
Custom Wood Floors	E-Mail Us	Products & Services Directory