| After you've installed your new hardwood | | | | sanding. Thorough vacuuming follows sanding |
| floor, you'll no doubt be wondering how to | | | | and sweeping to rid the floor of wood chips, |
| protect it and keep it new looking. Should | | | | saw dust and debris. Finer dust and oily |
| you apply a sealant? Should you wax it, leave | | | | residues are then removed with cloth soaked |
| it alone or what? Here are some tips on what | | | | in special spirit-based cleaners. |
| to do. | | | | |
| | | | Two types of sealers are available: |
| Did you have pre-finished flooring installed? | | | | water-based and solvent-based. |
| This type of hardwood flooring typically uses | | | | |
| a process called acrylic impregnation. | | | | Water Based Wood Flooring Sealants- becoming |
| Prefinished flooring companies recommend that | | | | more widely used because of the interest in |
| no additional finish be applied. | | | | healthier and more environmentally friendly |
| Compatibility and durability of the finish | | | | construction. Some of the solvents used in |
| can be a problem. Waxes and oils should be | | | | the polyurethane and epoxy finishes face |
| avoided- they may contaminate the wood and | | | | disposal issues, as well as health concerns |
| cause problems with adhesiveness when | | | | over exposure to volatile organic compounds. |
| refinishing. | | | | Another benefit to the water based sealants |
| | | | is they are less flammable and some are even |
| If you absolutely must coat the prefinished | | | | completely non-flammable. The downside is |
| wood make certain to prepare it well, with | | | | their greater cost, as they are not as widely |
| either sanding or a deglosser. The finish | | | | available yet as the solvent-based types. |
| will not stick otherwise. Additionally, when | | | | |
| you refinish prefinished flooring, you can | | | | Solvent Based Wood Flooring Sealants- |
| throw any finish warranty provided by the | | | | include polyurethane, moisture-curing |
| manufacturer out the window, since you just | | | | urethane, and solvent-based epoxy finishes. |
| voided it. | | | | The moisture-curing urethane type finishes |
| | | | are currently no as widely used, due to their |
| For laminate floors, there is also no need to | | | | high flammability and strong odor, which |
| put any sealant on. Actually, do not put | | | | necessitates the use of respiration equipment |
| anything on top. It's perfect as is. That's | | | | during application. In their favour, these |
| the great thing about laminate flooring; it | | | | flooring sealants are very durable and tough, |
| is already protected from scuffs and spills. | | | | although on the other hand, this makes |
| Read the warranty and installation guide, and | | | | removing them for refinishing difficult. The |
| maintain them according to the manufacturers | | | | solvent-based epoxies have much the same |
| instructions. | | | | properties, although they do have a more |
| | | | preferable appearance to some. |
| Unfinished hardwood flooring is a whole | | | | |
| different story. Preparation of the floor | | | | The polyurethane finishes are probably the |
| prior to finishing is critical here. The wood | | | | most commonly used hardwood flooring sealant. |
| is sanded first, to smooth the surface and to | | | | The balance between durability, cost and |
| open the wood pores up for better absorption | | | | appearance finds a sweet spot here. Relative |
| of the finish. If at all possible, it is | | | | to other finishes, they are simple to apply |
| recommended you have a trained and | | | | and dry within 6 hours. However, they do have |
| experienced professional do the sanding; | | | | a moderately "solventy" smell and must be |
| hardwood floors are easily ruined beyond | | | | disposed of according to environmental |
| repair by gouges and warpage due to uneven | | | | protection laws in a safe manner. |