GET THE SE Jason Spangler, Wagner Meters’ Flooring Division Manag
Water-based urethane finishes carry many advantages in terms of giving a natural look as well as making for easy application and care.
Eco-friendly, water-based urethane finishes for hardwood floors are hot right now for a reason. They look natural, dry faster, level better, foam less, clean up with water instead of solvents, and don’t always require intercoat abrasion. Their low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) also mean they are safer to use than solvent-based finishes.
Water-based finishes dry in just two to four hours. That means it’s possible to apply two coats per day. However, because they dry fast, you’ll need to work quickly if the weather is warm and the humidity low. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have some experience finishing hardwood floors before trying your hand at water-based finishes.
An advantage of water-based finishes is that they fully cure in four to seven days compared to the 14-30 days needed for oil-based urethanes.
GET TOOLED UP Before you begin to work, get your tools ready. You’ll need a sander or a rotary buffer for sanding and screening. It’s probably also a good idea to have a shop vac on hand for keeping your work area clean.
While there are a variety of ways to apply the finish, it’s best to use the applicator recommended by the finish manufacturer to ensure proper coverage.
22 | WOOD & LAMINATE
Proper use of a technologically advanced pinless moisture meter goes a long way in creating a durable, attractive finish for any hardwood floor.
Indirect air circulation is important for water-based finishes. However, you don’t want air blowing directly across the wet finish because it could cause it to dry too quickly. If this happens, it won’t lay out evenly and you could end up with application marks. Higher humidity can actually work in your favour because it creates more forgiving conditions for applying water-based finishes.
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