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