Timber Floor Coatings are YOUR CHOICE … take care to choose the coating that suits your needs!

In the not too distant past the sanding and finishing of a timber floor was a relatively straight forward task with a three coat system of gloss polyurethane being used in most instances. Due in part to this, a resurgence in other technologies particularly with the advent of metalised polishes and waterborne technologies, the choices of coating have greatly diversified.

A search on the internet quickly reveals that a wide range of coatings are now available and that many manufacturers are able to supply a full range of coating types. You will find brand names that are quite familiar to you and others that you probably have not heard of. As such your choice of coating is much greater now than in the past and while this should be seen as a positive, it can also be somewhat bewildering to those with limited knowledge about coatings and coating types.

In addition to this contractors are unlikely to be familiar with all the options available and will tend to favour the range of coatings they more frequently use and have sound knowledge of and experience with. Due to this, today’s reputable coating contractors are constantly involved in updating their knowledge to keep abreast of the frequent changes in this developing industry. For this reason the ATFA plays an important role in providing not only training but also an avenue for networking and providing up to date information to their members.

Most contractors will have the skills to use any coating type, however each coating will have its specifics and due to this some time in research and support from the product supplier may be necessary and is important. This is particularly so if the chosen coating system to be used differs from that more commonly used or recoating over an existing finish system is being requested. When choice is available for any product there is also varying quality and price differences between products. This too is true for floor finishes and due to the nature of some coating systems there can be a significant variation in overall project costs depending on the option chosen. Similarly those products of lower quality can be more prone to problems at time of application or in ongoing performance.

In this article we are specifically concerned with the regular levels of confusion and potential disappointment expressed by flooring contractors, architects, building managers, and the general public alike, regarding issues that often stem from coating selection. This aspect should not be treated lightly. Although the process of preparing and coating a floor is relatively “inexpensive”, especially when compared to the purchase and installation costs of timber flooring, an unsuitable coating choice can result in expectations not being realised with short lived enjoyment of a new or rejuvenated timber floor. For the consumer, appearance, durability and cost are generally the key factors.

A poor choice of coating will ultimately result in disappointment and often additional expense in extra work necessitating possible re-sanding or recoating. It cannot be over emphasised that choosing the right coating for your requirements will greatly reduce the likelihood of any potential problem down the track.

As the owner, specifier or recipient of a new floor, the most important fact to be recognised when considering the coating type is ‘does it fit’ your project? All floor coating types are suitable for specific applications. The difficulty lies in balancing up the attributes of each coating type to ensure that you select one that is going to be highly suitable. Good coatings in wrong applications result in poor performance – not bad coatings! For the contractor the most important information is provided by the product manufacturer. This information needs to be followed, enquired about, even debated, but never ignored. Coatings can be complex and you can be sure significant time has been spent in research and development before the product enters the market. The product information is what enables the contractor to both apply coatings correctly and advise clients accurately as to the suitability of a coating system for a particular project (appearance, durability, cost, application considerations and environmental considerations).

When researching products always consider the variety of timber floor coating technologies available, each will have its benefits and limitations and that the balance of these will differ from project to project. It is also necessary to ensure that coating decisions relative to your requirements are made based on accurate and complete information.

It is generally the owner’s choice as to what coating or coating type is applied to the floor and the contractor is often called upon for advice. So what steps are involved in selecting a coating system that needs to be considered by both the recipient of the floor and the contractor for a particular project?

• Firstly, a selection of suitable floor coating type alternatives should be developed that are most appropriate to the project.
• Considering the broad coating groups, the visual effects they provide should be considered and ones selected that fit preferences.
• The benefits and limitations of this ‘control group’ should then be assessed for the type that will best meet the requirements of the project.

From this, particular manufacturer products within that group can be assessed and an informed choice made. However the basis for selection does not end there! Of equal or greater importance is what the recipient of the floor is prepared to do to keep the floor looking good! No matter what angle you take, ‘MAINTENANCE’ is the key aspect that ensures the ongoing appearance of a floor. It must be stressed that all coated timber floors will require some level of activity to keep them clean and to prolong their original aesthetic qualities for as long as possible. This includes:

• regular sweeping,
• dust catching mats at external doorways,
• prompt cleaning of spills,
• occasional mopping with a recommended cleaning product,
• felt pads on chair legs and other moving furniture,
• sealing paved/concrete area’s abutting entrances,
• regular monitoring of wear to plan for any remedial coating requirements,
• not wearing street shoes on the floor where possible and avoiding leather soled shoes and stilettos as damage is accelerated by the combination of dust, grit, and aggressive foot traffic.

These tasks are not debatable. They can be regarded a minimum requirement of owning a timber floor. However, the frequency that these tasks are carried out, as well as additional maintenance activities, is what sets different floor coating technologies apart. Put simply a lot depends on what the recipient of the floor is prepared to do ‘for their floor’. Aspects such as traffic type and level of traffic, flooring environment (e.g. residential or commercial etc) is what will greatly influence the coating decision.

If as an owner or specifier you are unable to determine a suitable coating using these considerations, then an industry professional should be consulted to assist. Though remember, although a contractor or similar professional can assist with technical information, the owner, or person specifying on behalf of the owner, should be the one choosing the finish, as they are the ones also determining the acceptable degree of ongoing maintenance.

Assuming as an owner that you have made your choice and ultimately the prolonging of the ‘original’ appearance of your floor is the ideal, maintenance is accepted as reality. Start with this understanding and it is more likely that you will be satisfied with your floor coating choice.

Coatings are made to protect and beautify timber flooring, but from day one the various degrees of foot traffic will begin the deterioration process that can only be managed and replenished by the “owner” or caretaker of the floor. If that happens to be you, then it is important that you make your coating choice carefully, as it is your floor and your choice that will be on display, now, in twelve months, in five years, a decade; so choose wisely.

Floor finishes – types and characteristics

The coating system that is ultimately chosen for a site sanded and coated floor will depend on a variety of considerations. In some instances the coating system will be specified and this is generally the case for commercial projects. However, with domestic floors it is often the client that requests a specific coating type or the client is expecting the contractor to provide information from which they can make an informed decision. If a coating is specified, it is still necessary that the contractor considers the consequences of using that coating and informs client about any reservations with regards to the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed coating system.

Aspects relating to coatings that may need to be considered and conveyed to the client include issues such as potential health hazards and the potential of the coating to taint food if not removed from an existing dwelling. However, other important aspects also relate to the likes of floor maintenance as it is recognised that some coating types require more frequent maintenance than others. For the chosen coating type the owner must also be prepared to undertake the required maintenance. Another aspect to consider is the yellowing of the coating with age and to note that both the timber and the coating can result in tone variation with time. With domestic floors on stairs there is also a National Construction Code (formerly BCA) requirement for step treads to be slip resistant and this can be achieved with the correct coating but only with low sheen levels.

Timber floor finishes (coatings) can be grouped into five main categories:

1. Penetrating oils and waxes. This includes sub-categories of

• penetrating oils including air curing and burnish curing
• penetrating waxes including oil / wax blends
• film forming hard wax oil technology with or without external cross-linker

2. Curing oils (air curing and chemical cross-linked) and alkyds.
3. Acid-catalysed two component
4. Oil-modified Urethanes
5. Polyurethane, including:

• Solvent-based moisture cure 1 pack
• two component solvent-based
• waterborne 1 pack
• waterborne 2 pack
• acrylic urethane blends or copolymers

Provided below is a description of each of these categories with information about their properties, benefits and disadvantages.