The Guide To Water Based Floor Lacquers

Here Is The Guide To Water Based Floor Lacquers

Selecting the most suitable floor lacquer for your particular needs and requirements is a task that should not be ignored. Ending up with a quality finish is not a matter of luck or spending huge amounts of money, but mostly a matter of research and proper maintenance. If you call any local floor sanding company or floor refinishing contractor, you will be bombarded with apparently pointless questions, but there is a logic behind it.

Do you have a pet?? Or some small children? Why is the level of sun exposure important? Are you likely to refresh your floors regularly? Do you own rugs? Do you have protectors on your sofa or chairs? Is there underfloor heating in the house? Are your hardwood floors in need of good ventilation?

Most people would say “I just need a long lasting floor lacquer”. The point of this article is to explain to our future and present customers why taking your time to pick a suitable floor lacquer can be the difference between 1 year and 10 years of protection.

Water Based Floor Lacquers

In this article we will focus on the water based floor lacquers. There are two types of water based floor lacquers, single pack and two pack. The single pack is sold without a hardener while the two pack is sold with a hardener. The purpose of the hardener is to create a catalytic reaction that speeds up the curing times and makes the lacquer compatible with oil based wood stains. There are single pack floor lacquers that are more durable than the two pack floor lacquers. So the life expectancy of single pack and two pack floor lacquers is not that different.

The water based floor lacquers can vary dramatically from brand to brand and type to type. Some water based floor lacquers are 100% clear, no colour at all, while others have an added tint that creates that rich cozy finish. The Chimiver range is 100% clear while the Bona and Tover ranges seem to slightly enhance the colour of the wood.

There are four basic levels of sheen.

1. Natural (4-7% sheen)

2. Matt (Extra Matt Also Available) (13-20% sheen)

3. Semi Gloss (40%)

4. Gloss (60%)

(it can vary from brand to brand and type of lacquer to type of lacquer)

The Advantages Provided By Water Based Floor Lacquers

Most people over the age of 50 can still remember how smelly and slow drying the old solvent based floor lacquers were. People had to move out of their homes for days and the persistent solvent odour would last for months. All that is gone now. While some water based floor lacquers still have some odour while wet, it will fully wear off as the floor dries. The main advantage is of course the eco-friendliness of the water based floor lacquer starting from the process of producing it up to the application level.

The drying times have reduced from 24 hours to about 1-2 hours. They look very natural and allow the natural ventilation of the wood floor. It can be applied with basic tools by anyone. Easy to refresh and recoat. Much easier to sand up and restore. Most of it is non yellowing but some conditions apply. While more expensive, it makes sense because it saves alot of time and causes alot less disruption.

The Sheen Of The Water Based Floor Lacquers

How nice does a super glossy wood floor look? Well, that is debatable. Some people cannot get enough gloss while others think that the natural finishes are not natural enough. Different strokes for different folks. It is a matter of personal preference lookwise and a matter of common sense practicability wise.

1. The durability of your floor is unlikely to be affected by the level of sheen. Per example, the formula for Chimiver Ecostar Floor Lacquer is pretty much the same for all levels of sheen. Just the level of sheen is different.

2. The process of applying the lacquer is pretty much the same but the final result is totally different.

The Natural Looking Water Based Floor Lacquers

A natural floor lacquer is a really matt looking floor sealer that has up to 7% sheen. Basically it is invisible. A surface sealed with professional Natural floor lacquers will dry up to look natural. While the surface is fully protected against humidity and traffic, the lacquer cannot be seen. This kind of natural looking water based floor lacquer has replaced the floor oils.

The classic floor oils that were sinking inside the wood fibres, have been replaced by the natural lacquers. The lacquers are much more durable and they do not require yearly refreshing. Below we will list a few factors to consider before you purchase a natural floor lacquer or agree to a deal with a floor refinishing contractor to refinish your floors with such sealers.

1. The natural floor lacquers have no sheen at all. Make sure that you are 100% sure that you know what you are buying. The wood surface will look like there is nothing on it. The fibre will feel as natural as it can get.

2. The natural floor lacquers should be used directly on the wood without a primer. If a primer seals the wood pores, the natural lacquer will not be able to penetrate the wood and it might not dry well. Two coats of natural water based floor lacquer is enough.

3. The natural water based floor lacquer is harder to clean. It does not glaze the wood surface so the dirt can penetrate the wood. By doing so, the dirt will be visible. It requires much more cleaning and maintenance than regular lacquers but if you are after a natural look, it is worth it.

4. The natural floor lacquers can only be refreshed with natural floor lacquers. There are no refreshers with natural finish. The floors that get a lot of traffic can be overcoated once in a while with a coat of natural lacquer. A matt or semi gloss refresher will make it very glossy.

The Matt Looking Water Based Floor Lacquers

This is one of the most popular lacquers. The matt and extra matt floor lacquers will slightly glaze the surface but the finish is very dull. It is easy to clean and maintain and it does not create an artificial sheen. The level of sheen is somewhere between 13 to 20% gloss. The extra matt floor lacquers would have about 13-15% sheen while the matt floor lacquers will have up to 20% gloss.

If you are mixing up lacquers, like doing one room with one brand floor lacquer and the other one with a different brand, you should do a test to make sure that the level of sheen is similar. The matt floor lacquers are usually used to seal prestigious and hardwood floors because it will enhance the natural look of the wood without a lot of gloss. Below, we will list a number of factors to consider before ordering a matt or extra matt floor lacquer.

1. The matt floor lacquers are very matt. There is a huge difference between the old classic solvent floor lacquers that had a matt finish as well but the matt finish was nearly as gloss as the semi gloss. The water based matt finishes are super matt and some people don`t like it.

2. The matt floor lacquers should be used over a primer to avoid wasting it. Used directly on the wood, it will sink inside the wood and many more coats will need to be done until the lacquer is visible. It looks great when applied over white primers like Chimiver Ecowhite and Bona White.

3. There is a slight difference in sheen between single pack and two pack water based floor lacquers.

The Semi Gloss Looking Floor Lacquers

By far the most popular sheen within the water based floor lacquer industry. The mid sheen sealers have a number of names that mean the same thing. Some brands call it semi gloss, others soft sheen, others satin, others mid sheen. The semi gloss floor lacquers are glazers that overcoat the wooden floors and create a protective layer that is easy to clean, maintain and refresh.

Not all semi gloss floor lacquers have the same level of sheen so if an area was done with Bona Mega Evo, it should be finished with the same product to avoid creating different levels of sheen. The semi gloss floor lacquers can be successfully applied over all kinds of primers, wood stains and can also be used as an overcoating sealer. Below, we will make you aware of some facts related to semi gloss finishes.

1. Some semi gloss finishes are very glossy and some people might not like it. Bear in mind that most lacquers will slightly dull up over a prolonged period of time.

2. The semi gloss floor finishes are very easy to clean but can scratch much more than the matt and natural floor lacquers because it glazes the surface.

3. The semi gloss floor lacquers can discolour floors if rugs and mats are being used on it. The humidity created by the backing of the mat or rug can over time bleach out the finish.

4. The semi gloss floor lacquers have to be washed with neutral PH wood floor cleaners to avoid reactions and colour bleaching.

The Glossy Looking Floor Lacquers

The super glossy finish is a very particular type of finish that is loved by many and hated by some. The main issue with the glossy floor finishes is that it creates a wet look finish that reflects light. All glossy floor lacquers are glazers so the surface of the floor will be covered with a thick layer of lacquer. The glossy floor finishes are very easy to clean with a flat mop, are very easily recoatable and look beautiful.

The level of sheen provided by the glossy finishes is usually up to about 60%. Even so, the new glossy water based floor lacquers are way less glossy than the classic solvent based floor lacquers. Below, we will list a number of facts that need to be considered before using a glossy floor lacquer on any wooden floor.

1. Glossy finishes reflect light. If you live in an apartment that has a lot of natural light, you should be aware that the sunlight will bounce off your glossy floors and it will create a reflection.

2. Glossy finishes are likely to scratch a bit more because unlike the natural floor lacquers, they glaze the surface.

3. Glossy finishes can be a slipping hazard while wet.

4. Glossy finishes show dirt much more than other types of finishes.

The Guide To Water Based Floor Finishes | Pets

A happy dog is a wonderful addition to your family. But this happy dog is likely to need joint surgery from all that slipping on a super glossy finish. If you have an energetic dog or whatever other type of excited pet, you should avoid glossy floors. Go for a natural or a matt finish. Your pet will thank you for it. The nails of the pets cannot get a grip on a glossy surface and this can cause joint issues over time. 100% different story if you have a slow moving or less excited pet. In that case you can select any finish you want.

The Guide To Water Based Floor Finishes | Children

If you are a busy mum, a busy granny, a busy child minding business etc, and if you have a floor that gets a lot of use from children, you should definitely go for a glossy or semi glossy finish. These floors are very easy to wipe off, easy to clean and any spill will not penetrate too deep. The dirt from the daily on and off traffic will build up on the surface of the floor where it can be easily removed with a flat mopping system. Also, a semi gloss or a glossy finish radiates cleanliness and gives the place a spotless appearance.

The Guide To Water Based Floor Finishes | Wet Floors

It is always a bad idea to have hardwood or engineered wooden floors in the bathrooms but if you have it, you should definitely not have it varnished with a glossy finish. By doing so, you will create a skating arena. This is very dangerous especially for commercial spaces where you could be sued for accidental trips & slips. We highly recommend the use of matt antislip floor lacquers. Those floor lacquers contain special additives that will create grip even when the floors are wet. The same rule should apply for staircases. The humidity of the environment is only a risk if the wrong floor lacquer is used.

The Guide To Water Based Floor Finishes | Rugs

Some people just love rugs and they would never walk on their real wood floor. Instead they will walk on a rug. Those rugs can be problematic for glossy and semi glossy finishes. The sunlight heating the floor will slightly discolor the area around the rug but not the area under the rug. The matt and natural floor lacquers are way less affected by UV light.

If you are likely to have one or more rugs on your floors, you should finish your hardwood floor with a matt finish sealer or avoid using rugs on the floors. After the floor is washed, make sure to only put the rug back after the floor has dried in full. Otherwise it will maintain the area under the rug wet for long periods of times and it will discolor the finish.

The Guide To Water Based Floor Finishes | Intense Use

The water based floor lacquers are categorized by the level of solid content. The solid content of most water based floor lacquers is between 10% to 45%. The 10% solid content floor lacquers are usually only suitable for light residential use or furniture sealing. The higher solid content from 25% to 45% are considered intense traffic.

Commercial strength floor lacquers are usually a bit more expensive than the lower solid content floor lacquers. It is like a drink that has 10% alcohol versus a drink that has 45%. Totally different products. So, if you are sealing a high traffic floor like a sports hall, dance floor, retail floor, school floor, gym floor or any other type of intense traffic hardwood floor, you should be looking for the highest solid content floor lacquer available.

The Guide To Water Based Floor Finishes | Fire Resistant

You wouldn`t believe it, but there is actually a water based floor lacquer that is fire resistant. A fire resistant water based floor lacquer is not actually fire proofed, but if sparks from the fireplace end up on the wood, it will not start a fire as fast. It has an increased resistance to fire and it can protect better in the cases of accidental fires.

The water based floor lacquers without the fire resistance additives will burn nearly instantly. The fire resistant floor lacquers look and behave just like any other water based floor lacquer. These products are highly recommended for pubs, restaurants where a fireplace is present and all residential hardwood floors that are near any kind of fire.

Why Do Some Water Based Lacquers Fail?

Just because you buy an extremely expensive floor lacquer, it does not mean that you have actually bought a suitable lacquer. Many of our customers call us to ask for advice regarding failed projects or floors that end up looking dated only a few months after it was treated with the highest solid content floor lacquer. To make it simpler and easier to understand, it is like using a super sport car to climb a hill. Above, we have described a number of specific usages for specific situations.

A lot of sunlight is likely to bleach glossy lacquers regardless of the solid content. Washing the floors with bleach based floor cleaners is guaranteed to damage the floor. Using a natural lacquer on a high traffic floor is likely to end up bad for you. Using a super glossy floor lacquer in an area exposed to grease or fat, will also end up bad. And so on.

1. Bleach | The bleach and generally the sodium based cleaning products are well known floor lacquer killers. Even if the bleach is not that concentrated, it is enough to soften up and bleach the finish.

2. Acids | The acidic floor cleaners will crack the lacquer and it will stop the protection. Through the cracks, the water will be able to reach the wood and will result in permanent damage.

3. Scourers | Scrubbing the floor too hard with a catering scourer or an aggressive floor buffing pad is likely to damage your floors.

4. Water | The water is a well known enemy of wood. All the sealers are designed to prevent the direct contact between the water and the wood. Washing the floors with too much water will guarantee the wood will break down. The water leaking between the gaps will expand the floors and create movement. The water penetrating through the cracks on the sealer will cause water damage.

5. Furniture Legs | Dragging heavy furniture on and off the floor will also cause damage. The floor will scratch and it will leave the wood unsealed. The water used to wash the floor will reach the wood and the floor will change colour.

6. Pets | Cutting the pet nails or not feeding the pet on a wooden floor will 100% increase the life expectancy of your floor.

7. Plant Pots | Your beloved plants are likely to end up leaking some water on the finished floor. That water will get under the tray and it will stay there and work constantly on the floor finish until the lacquer cracks, discolors or changes colour into a dark black.

8. Dirty Mops | Using a filthy mop to clean a beautifully restored hardwood floor is likely to destroy your floors. In fact, this is the main cause of damage within the food preparation and serving industry. People bleach their bathroom floors and then they use the same mop head to clean tiled floors and then the wood.

If you are not sure what type of floor lacquer, floor oil or floor sealer to use for your particular type of needs and usage, call us. Our highly trained specialists will walk you through all the options available and will help you make an informed decision. We do not recommend products, but we present our customers all the available options so they can select whatever products they can afford.