Protecting wood floors in commercial or residential settings poses significant challenges. Many of today's surface coatings are either too toxic (moisture-cure urethane) or lack the durability and require too much maintenance (penetrating oils and wax) to be viable choices for commercial or heavy residential use. Contemporary waterborne finishes, however, can provide the durability of the toughest oil-based products with fewer negative environmental consequences. These finishes are available in one and two-part systems. One-part polyurethanes are less expensive but may not have the durability of two-part systems. Two-part polyurethanes contain a resin and a hardener or crosslinker. These polys are considered to be the toughest in the industry, but they are expensive and are usually only sold to trained professionals. Because durability is a key attribute of sustainable finish, proper floor preparation and application are as important as the coating. The failure of urethanes, especially waterbornes, is most often due to application problems: improper wax or dust removal; incompatible sealers, stains, and polys; or insufficient drying time between coats (humidity has a dramatic impact on curing time). Depending on the wood, sealers may need to be used to avoid tannin bleed-through, raised grain, and bonding problems. Sealers prepare wood for coating, providing a bond and initial build layer that costs far less than expensive topcoats, but these sealers have to be compatible with the polyurethane being used. Most manufacturers have low-VOCVolatile organic compound. An organic compound that evaporates readily into the atmosphere; as defined by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, VOCs are organic compounds that volatize and then become involved in photochemical smog production. sealers formulated to work with the company's waterborne finish. Application of any polyurethane should follow manufacturer's recommendations and those of the National Wood Flooring Association or National Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association. Products in GreenSpec use technologies known for their durability, meet California's South Coast Air Quality Management District's strict VOC limits, and may be certified by GreenguardThird-party certification program that identifies building products and materials which produce relatively low levels of emissions. GreenGuard is administered by the nonprofit GreenGuard Environmental Institute (GEI). Other GEI programs include the Children & Schools standard, which addresses emission standards for educational facilities, and the GreenGuard for Building Construction Program, a mold risk-reduction program that certifies the design, construction, and ongoing operations of new multifamily and commercial properties. or SCS Indoor Advantage and/or derived from natural materials.
Protecting wood floors in commercial or residential settings poses significant challenges. Many of today's surface coatings are either too toxic (moisture-cure urethane) or lack the durability and require too much maintenance (penetrating oils and wax) to be viable choices for commercial or heavy residential use. Contemporary waterborne finishes, however, can provide the durability of the toughest oil-based products with fewer negative environmental consequences. These finishes are available in one and two-part systems.
-1.jpg "Pro Finisher Waterborne Sanding Sealer")
Comments