A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES
In recent years, the possibilities in wood floor renovation have dramatically widened. Today, a great variety of wood floor treatments and styles are available, from ultra-matt to high gloss surfaces, there are many possibilities using a range of lacquers and primers.
So, what’s new? Using the latest sanding, brushing, and finishing techniques brings new life to a wood floor, and innovative solutions are enabling a wealth of options for new styles and looks when designing a beautiful and durable floor surface. For instance, trendy colourations are achievable through oils, or a haptic sensation of natural wood is achievable through brushing surfaces and adding a durable lacquer protection.
PRIMERS Not all craftsmen user primers, it’s a fact, however using a primer has many advantages when creating a great surface.
In my view, every wood floor protection starts with a primer – once the floor is sanded properly, the phase of preparing the floor for a final topcoat starts. However, unlike a topcoat, a primer is optimised for an absorbent surface and ensures a high application safety on bare wood for an even wood colouration. What’s great for contractors is that a primer is also forgiving against small differences in application rate between different areas.
They are used for ease of application and for adhesion, because with a primer, a strong adhesion to wood is established, securing a long and durable life. Another plus point is that it reduces side-bonding because some primers are formulated to follow the movement of the wood which happens due to variations in air humidity.
Furthermore, it’s more cost efficient than just adding another layer of topcoat, which is of increasing importance given how cost-aware everyone is during current times.
It’s a well-known fact that the majority of floor owners prefer a floor which is either neutral or just slightly coloured. As it’s the first product the wood meets, probably the easiest way to visually alter the surface is to begin with a primer. They have a known effect on wood colouration, and the floor impression can be designed by using a primer that provides a certain tone to the floor, from Scandinavian white to rich amber.
To deliver the best results, primers need to be carefully developed, so remember this when selecting a manufacturer. Watch out for features like abradability, flow, levelling, defoaming and matting – a high level of performance on these is an absolute must.
Together with using lacquers, contractors can get all the performance characteristics and sheen levels they could possibly need for any domestic or commercial environment.
20 | WOOD & LAMINATE
Tony Peak, Professional Sales Manager, Bona, explains how to achieve a host of different finishes when renovating wood floors.
TOP COATS: OIL, LACQUERS
OR BOTH? The topcoat determines the durability, such as resistance to wear, scuff, scratch and chemicals, as well as the sheen of a wood floor. Generally, a lacquered floor is more durable, whereas an oiled surface is more sensitive to daily wear. By using a hard wax oil, it creates a surface that is a bit more resistant than a traditional oil, and remember that oil can be combined with lacquer too.
LACQUERS When designing the surface of a wood floor, contractors think about both functionality and design. What are the needs regarding durability, slip resistance and design? Does the customer want a glossy surface, or a matt? All these factors are important when deciding on a coating.
The right lacquer for every condition is out there, from solutions for extreme wear in large surfaces such as hotels, restaurants, and airports, to light commercial and domestic areas. There are even some products that meet FIBA (The International Basketball Federation) requirements, which are perfect for sports floors.
The sheen levels delivered by the topcoats also vary widely. A higher sheen level deepens the colouration, while a lower sheen level makes the floor more neutral. For instance, to achieve a protected wood floor with a natural impression, opt for a lacquer that is almost invisible.
Another key point is that some products have filling properties and hence are able to serve as both a primer and topcoat.
HAPTIC SURFACE SENSATION Texturing the floor is a way of creating floor effects with a difference and even natural wood floors benefit from being textured, as brushing away soft wood enhances the texture and grain, creating a pleasant haptic sensation.
COLOURING WITH OILS If, as a contractor, you want to offer even more colour options than the ones possible with primers, then oils come in to play. A huge number of colour combinations are available for use as a topcoat for durable protection, providing an opportunity to get creative with colour.
As with colouring with primers, choosing different sheen levels of the topcoat can enhance the impression of the coloured oil even further and range from extra matt to silk matt surfaces. Certain solutions will even give the floor a unique ultra matt coloured oiled look, yet with the protection of a lacquered floor.
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