Varnish for the floor - protection of the wooden surface

At each repair, sooner or later, the question of choosing a floor covering is raised . And if you prefer natural coatings, you will probably have to choose a varnish for the floor. When choosing, you need to consider what kind of work the surface will be subjected to: either the floor will be walked in soft slippers, or a huge number of people in street shoes will go daily. Wear resistance is a very important characteristic of the protective coating.

Types of varnishes

1. Water-based varnish for the floor - the most durable. It can be used in premises where it is impossible to use varnishes with chemical solvents, for example, in fire-hazardous buildings. To ensure that the varnish is properly and well dried, it is necessary that the room is wet by 50%, and it must be applied with a roller on the primer coat.
2. Alkyd varnish for the floor is more durable than water based, but inferior to polyurethane and acidic analogues. They include resins made from a natural ingredient - linseed oil or wood oil. Thanks to such components, the liquid penetrates deep into the wood, so it is appropriate to use it where there are large differences in temperature and humidity. The lack of a varnish is its unpleasant sharp smell because of a part of white spirits. If it is applied in several layers, the surface will turn out to be uneven, and it will be impossible to dry the floor at high temperature.
3. If it is necessary to protect the surface, which will be subjected to high loads, it is recommended to choose a polyurethane varnish for the wooden floor. It is appropriate to use it for the garden, stairs, doors, as it is elastic and heat-resistant. But when it comes into contact with water, this varnish starts to bubble.
4. The most durable varnish for the floor is acid-cured. It is based on formaldehyde, and the surface should not be primed before application. The floor will remain in its original form even with large changes in temperature and humidity. You can cover the floor with a roller, brush or spray gun, but before work, wear a mask or respirator: the varnish emits a too strong smell, but after careful ventilation the unpleasant odor evaporates.

Choosing the right varnish

When buying, pay attention to the purpose of the premises: for example, kitchens and bathrooms are suitable waterproof varnishes, and for the living room and stairs, it is appropriate to use resistant to abrasion, in children's it is recommended to cover the floor with a non-hazardous water-based varnish. Polyurethane and polymer varnishes are ideal for public places and work areas. If the varnish is based on several harmful solvents, its choice should be discarded.

Number of varnish and application features

Standard consumption of lacquer applied in one layer - 1 liter per 10 square meters. M. Parquet should be covered with three layers, in addition to the primer. For good drying, it is necessary that the air temperature is not higher than 22 degrees, but not too low. After a day after the cover, you can already move around the floor, and cabinets and sofas should be brought into the room after 3-14 days. To protect the floor from scratches, on the legs of furniture you need to put on special hems made of felt. Note that the light wood species darken after applying the varnish, while the dark ones usually lighten. And sometimes, under the influence of the chemical composition, the color of the board can change dramatically.