Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Clear finish for hardwood floors - any recommendations?
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Rich E
04-27-07, 05:51 AM
Hello,
We're going to be refinishing a 20x20 living room and a 20x4 hallway.
The old (50's vintage) hardwood floors are worn to where I need to rent a floor sander and remove the old finish.
Even though it's rental property, cost isn't a big factor. I've been looking at various current offerings - last floor I did was back in 1972, so it's been a while,and things sure have changed ;).
Odor is a concern in that my son and grandson are presenty squatting,,err,,I mean staying in the house. I'd rather not have something that would give them an excuse to move in with us for a week while things aired out. (last time that happened a week turned into 8 months !).
Are the water poly's decent?
We're going to be refinishing a 20x20 living room and a 20x4 hallway.
The old (50's vintage) hardwood floors are worn to where I need to rent a floor sander and remove the old finish.
Even though it's rental property, cost isn't a big factor. I've been looking at various current offerings - last floor I did was back in 1972, so it's been a while,and things sure have changed ;).
Odor is a concern in that my son and grandson are presenty squatting,,err,,I mean staying in the house. I'd rather not have something that would give them an excuse to move in with us for a week while things aired out. (last time that happened a week turned into 8 months !).
Are the water poly's decent?
twelvepole
04-27-07, 06:15 AM
Staying in the house while finishing wood floors is not recommended, unless you have a second floor or very large home. There is the dust from sanding and the odors from chemicals in the finish. Some people are more sensitive than others to dust and fumes, especially those with allergies and respiratory problems. Children and seniors can be particularly susceptible to the effects of dust and off-gassing of chemicals.
Opening and closing of doors and movement in the house can stir up dust, hair, and debris that can settle in wet floor finish. All furniture will have to be moved to other rooms and can not moved back until the floor is completely cured, and there can be no traffic on the floor.
Water-based polys are not as smelly as oil-based, but there is still odor. Each coat must be given time to dry. Normally, you can walk on finish coat after 24 hours, but drying times are affected by humidity and could take longer. Finish will be dry on top, but it has not completely cured. It takes a couple weeks for the floor to completely cure. Care should be taken not to scoot furniture or place rugs on floors until cured.
Under the circumstances, especially with a child, perhaps it would be best to postpone refinishing until the home is vacant.
Opening and closing of doors and movement in the house can stir up dust, hair, and debris that can settle in wet floor finish. All furniture will have to be moved to other rooms and can not moved back until the floor is completely cured, and there can be no traffic on the floor.
Water-based polys are not as smelly as oil-based, but there is still odor. Each coat must be given time to dry. Normally, you can walk on finish coat after 24 hours, but drying times are affected by humidity and could take longer. Finish will be dry on top, but it has not completely cured. It takes a couple weeks for the floor to completely cure. Care should be taken not to scoot furniture or place rugs on floors until cured.
Under the circumstances, especially with a child, perhaps it would be best to postpone refinishing until the home is vacant.
mitch17
04-27-07, 06:23 AM
Water based poly should be fine - just remember there are polys specifically for floor use, make sure that's what you buy.