The aesthetics that well-cared timber flooring gives to a house are unrivalled. They add a touch of warmth and elegance without any effort. Therefore, it’s a must to choose the proper coating for your wood flooring to ensure the quality of the material through the pass of the years. If you don’t do so, then your flooring can end up damaged, and repairing it would be expensive.
Timber floor coating is necessary to avoid stains and damage due to spills, humidity, scratches and wear and tear. The market has several options for floor coating in Brunswick West, and choosing the best one for your floor and needs is needed. Keep reading and learn more about coating options and the finishes they can give to your timber.
- Polyurethane Floor Coating:
- Solvent-Based Polyurethane
Polyurethane timber coatings are ideal for hard-wearing and moisture resistance. If you have timber flooring in wet areas, then this type of coating can be right for you. It is also available in a wide range of finishes, from gloss to matte, which makes it perfect for the tastes of anyone. The downside is that solvent-based polyurethane coating has volatile organic compounds that release toxic fumes while applying it, so a professional should do this task.
- Water-Based Polyurethane
This type of polyurethane floor coating has all the benefits of solvent-based ones without toxic fumes. Hence, you won’t need special equipment for yourself to avoid toxic fumes getting inside your lungs. It also comes in a wide range of finishes like matte, satin, semi-gloss and gloss. But water-based polyurethane coating tends to be more expensive than solvent-based ones.
Both water-based and solvent-based coatings are flammable, and they will add a darker colour to your timber as time passes. In case that you need or want to reapply it, you’ll need to sand your floorboards in Brunswick West to add a new coat of this surface coating. One downside is that polyurethane coatings can split due to the expansion and contraction of wood.
- Oil-Based Floor Coating:
Oil-based floor coatings in Brunswick West are ideal if you’re looking for a matte of a satin finish. This coating won’t create a hard surface between the timber and the environment; the oil will penetrate the wood, which doesn’t make it a good choice for humid environments. With an oil coating, your timber won’t have this water-resistant feature that polyurethane will do add to the wood.
On the other hand, timber floors that are coated with oil need to be constantly maintained. You need to reapply the coating once a year but, unlike polyurethane coating, a previous sanding won’t be required. Also, oil-based floor coating is resistant to breakages because it moves with the timber itself when it contracts and expands.
This type of coating would be ideal if you want to enhance the natural beauty of your flooring. As well, it will be the best choice for floors that have significant structural variation or movement. You can find oil-modified floor coatings that will mix oil and polyurethane, which will combine the best of both worlds. They are durable and don’t get splitting problems, but they will release toxic fumes while applying them.
- Wax Floor Coating:
Wax floor coating is a vegetal-based layer that will penetrate the timber while adding resistance to moisture. To apply this coating, they will combinate wax and oil, which won’t release any toxic fumes into the air when applying it. Wax coating can give you a high gloss finish that will look like your flooring just received a floor polishing in Brunswick West.
The downside is that this coating is difficult to remove, and that can be a problem when reapplications are needed. However, you can hire a professional that will do floor sanding, and they will get rid of some of the wax, and your floor will be ready for coating reapplication.
Whenever you apply this type of coating to your timber, you can make sure that it will be protected from scratches and heavy foot traffic.
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Last Thoughts:
Now you know the main coatings for timber in the market; on that note, deciding would be easier for you. For instance, if you’re an environmentally friendly person, then you should choose wax or oil. If you will go for durability and low maintenance, then polyurethane would be the winner. Don’t forget that prices will vary from one type of coating to another, so take into count your budget too.
