| This is definitely not correct anymore. Years ago, | | | | advantage of minimal fumes and smell, then these |
| when we were starting in the business, this was the | | | | new finish systems are what you are looking for. |
| case for a number of water base finishes. | | | | Is Gloss Finish Is Harder Than Satin Finish? |
| Homeowners and contractors alike wanted finishes | | | | This may have been true many years ago near the |
| that were less offensive to the environment and the | | | | turn of the century. The science of formulating floor |
| home contexts. Basically they did not want to have | | | | finishes has made great advances in recent decades |
| to live with the offensive oil based smells and fumes. | | | | and the difference now is so minute that it is no |
| Floor refinishers too led the crusade for the quest for | | | | longer true. |
| a finish that was less hazardous to their health. | | | | Again, what makes the difference is making sure you |
| Responding to market demand lines of 'finish | | | | use industrial quality finishes on your floor. If you are |
| systems' were introduced at the retail level that | | | | investing all that time and money into your floors, |
| were what we call 'waterborne' coatings. This means | | | | you want to make sure you will get many, many |
| that traditional finishes were modified so that the | | | | years of enjoyment out of them. Ideally if properly |
| vehicles carrying the resins were not solvents and | | | | chosen a floor finish should last at very least a |
| alcohols but in this case, simply water. But... the quality | | | | minimum of 20 years. |
| and durability of these 'new' finishes offered at the | | | | What you need to steer clear of are the finishes |
| retail level just could not compare with the traditional | | | | often offered in the larger retail stores. These are |
| and extremely durable, "Glitsa" Swedish finishes nor | | | | specially formulated to be applied by virtually any one |
| the "moisture cure" lines applied at the professional | | | | with little or no experience and still turn out quite |
| level. | | | | good looking. Their durability in the long run though is |
| Makers of professional floor finishes too turned their | | | | what you sacrifice for ease application. These retail |
| attention to producing "waterborne" coatings that | | | | finishes cannot be compared to the finishes your |
| would match and exceed traditional applications. Well, | | | | professional hardwood floor restorer will apply. |
| jump forward a decade or so and now floor finish | | | | We must take courses offered by the finish |
| companies have made amazing advancements in their | | | | companies, and are at times tested before we can |
| water based formulas. Companies such as 'Bona Kemi' | | | | become "certified appliers" of that given finish. |
| and their 'Traffic' line and 'Basic Coatings' with their | | | | Finishing techniques and tools at the "professional |
| 'Streetshoe' finish systems have formulated | | | | level" are also very different from what you may |
| top-of-the-line two-component finishes that by far | | | | commonly see in big box stores and they can take |
| surpass your basic oil modified polyurethanes in terms | | | | many years of use to master them in order to |
| of wear resistance. | | | | consistently produce professional, quality results. |
| If you are looking for the most durable hardwood | | | | These finishes and tools cannot be purchased at the |
| floor finishes on the market today AND want the | | | | retail level. |