Varnish for parquet

Parquet coating is consistently quoted on the modern market. Fundamentality and reliability, durability and usefulness - this is far from a complete list of the positive characteristics of the material used. In the manufacture of parquet coating only natural, environmentally friendly materials are used, therefore, to protect the parquet from polluting elements it is necessary to form a protective layer. The use of paint is not entirely reasonable, it is more appropriate to use a varnish or a special oil agent for the parquet surface, as it not only protects from dusty and dirty components, but also supports the microstructure of the parquet surface tree. In this article, we will look at how to properly choose and use the varnish for parquet, without violating the technological process.

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How to choose a varnish for a parquet?

Parquet needs careful and meticulous handling, because without a protective layer it is very quickly destroyed and becomes unusable. In modern hypermarkets a huge assortment of various components for protection of wood species of parquet surface is presented. Varnish is the most commonly used and practical in application.

Basic requirements for the

safety device In order to choose the right varnish for parquet, you need to remember a few simple rules:

• When purchasing a protective agent, it is necessary to take into account the properties of the wood parquet.
• The selected varnish must be identical to the dark or light tone of the wood.
• Absorption of the protective layer depends on the compactness of the wood structure.
• Also when choosing a varnish, it is necessary to take into account the functional characteristic of the room, in which there is a parquet surface.

Important! In the corridor and the kitchen, the cleaning process and the intensity of movement are more frequent than in the living room. In this regard, the choice of protective equipment should be more durable.

In public spaces where a large crowd of people is possible, the parquet varnish must withstand the numerous influences of a huge number of heels. In addition, it is often necessary to carry out a wet cleaning, freeing the room from dust and dirt. In this case, protective means are used, which include oil components with a water repellent property.

The technological process of varnishing is a painstaking task. Therefore, choosing a cheap and short-lived varnish, in a couple of years will have to again repair the floor surface.

Important! To the quality protective layers belong lacquers, which have two components, which allows you not to worry about the parquet for a very long time.

Features of

varnish When choosing a varnish, it is necessary to pay attention to such properties:

• There are varnishes for parquet on different bases, so when selecting you need to read the components in the chemical composition section.
• The fluidity and viscosity of the lacquer plays a role in surface coating.
• When applying the varnish, it is possible to preserve the natural color and texture of the wood or the painting effect may be present.
• With a varnish coating, the surface acquires a different color tone: matte, silky-matt, semi-matt, semi-gloss or glossy.

Important! The guide to the use of a certain type of varnish, contains an approximate service life, the ratio to moist air and to strength properties under loads. It is the definition of these properties that will help you choose the most suitable varnish for parquet.

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varieties of varnish coatings

The chemical composition of varnishes for parquet are divided into several types:

• priming;
• is water-soluble;
• alkyd;
• urethane-alumina;
• polyurethane on anhydrous basis;
• formaldehyde;
• acid-cured.

Let's consider in detail the most popular and frequently used varieties.

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Primer varnish: purpose and nuances of use

Primer is a varnish designed to prepare the floor surface for the final coating process. It promotes saturation of wood and promotes better adhesion of the upper layers. The quality of the treated surface with a primer varnish greatly increases, so do not neglect this species.

Where to apply?

Application of primer is justified for:

• creating an impeccably polished surface with the preservation of the texture of the wood;
• to reduce the effect of the primer's adhesive properties on the lateral joints;
• protection of the surface and side fragments from moisture ingress;
• protection and preservation of natural oils of expensive wood species.

Important! When choosing a primer, the characteristic of the finish coat plays an important role. Their components must be identical in composition and have a good ability to adhere. If the materials do not match the surface of the parquet board is covered with unpleasant divorces. Solve this problem only by removing the previous layers of varnish or using the process of looping the entire surface.

Advantages of

The main nuances of using primer for parquet:

• When using a varnish coating with a water base, the primer also needs to be chosen as a water-soluble, as the conformity of the components makes it possible to create an ideally smooth surface.
• The limiting absorbency of the primer significantly reduces the amount of the final varnish required.
• Primers are instantly dry due to the absorbent property of the wood surface. In addition, the presence of the constituent solvents also contribute to the rapid evaporation process.

Important! Firms-manufacturers advise to apply a priming varnish and finishing means of one and the same commodity producer. The components of these components are compatible with each other, in addition, their identity contributes to an excellent adhesive property, which improves the quality.

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Water-based varnish for parquet: where is it applied, for which subspecies it is divided?

The most popular and common protective products for parquet are water-based varnishes because they do not have a distinctive smell, and this type is prone to rapid drying.

Important! Choosing a water varnish for parquet, it is preferable to use two-component components, since after drying they increase the moisture-proof effect.

Principle of operation

Water parquet varnish consists of tiny particles of dissolving substance and emulsifier components that are connected to water. Since the base is water, the drying process takes place in two stages:

1. When the surface is primed with varnish, the process of evaporation of water first occurs. Then - slow volatilization of the dissolving substance.
2. Further, the concentration process in the aqueous medium is gradually increasing, resulting in a reliable and stable protective layer.

Types

Water-based varnishes are quantitatively divided into:

• solvent-free formulations;
• aqueous lacquers consisting of a solvent of about five percent;
• lacquers are water based, which contain about fifteen percent of the solvent.

All three types have excellent adhesion properties and perfectly match parquet wood.

Important! Water-soluble varnishes need only be covered with a previously primed surface of the floor, since moisture and chemical composition, penetrating into the gaps between the plates, lead to a scratching effect.

Disadvantages of

Water-soluble parquet varnishes have important drawbacks:

• Low coefficient of abrasion resistance - due to the presence of such components as water, emulsifier components and solvents.

Important! Adding special additives to single component varnishes increases durability.

• The humidity level in the room with water-based varnish should be maintained at about fifty percent. Therefore, during the heating season it is difficult to adhere to the necessary humidification of the microclimate.
• Ideally a smooth surface when the water-soluble varnish dries out is achieved only with the use of a spray gun, since the use of spatulas, brushes or rollers will not result in the desired result.

Advantages of

Also there are the advantages of water-soluble varnishes:

• The aqueous base of water-soluble varnishes contributes to the absence of a pronounced odor. Due to this property, this type of varnish can be applied even in small rooms where there are personnel not participating in this process.
• Water-borne varnishes for parquet are not subject to combustion, so they can be used in rooms where safety regulations prohibit the use of flammable compounds.

Important! When purchasing a water-soluble varnish with the mark "professional" on the packaging material, it is also possible to use it without a priming agent. Otherwise, priming of the surface is necessary.

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Polyurethane varnish for parquet: varieties, pros and cons

Anhydrous varnishes for parquet with polyurethane component are excellent for rooms with a lot of traffic.

Composition

Manufacturers use urethane or acrylic base, which affects the intensity of the odor. Water is not a part of polyurethane varnishes, so the drying process takes place much quicker than water-soluble formulations.

Important! The procedure for solidification of anhydrous varnishes consists of several stages: first the solute components evaporate, and after that the process of solidification and the formation of a strong protective layer begins.

Types of

There are two types of anhydrous varnishes:

• One-component varnishes for parquet with marking( PUR) are very available in application. Their composition is already prepared - not even specialists can work for them.
• To prepare a two-component varnish labeled with( DD), many different points must be considered. By its structure it is much stronger and much more often used by professionals.

As a variety of aromatic components are present in the two types of anhydrous varnishes, this varnish has a rather pleasant smell, in comparison with other protective substances.

Important! When coating the surface with polyurethane lacquer, and also during drying, contacting the treated surface with water is unacceptable, since an increase in the permissible humidity entails the formation of visible defects.

Advantages of

Advantages include:

• Surface covered with polyurethane compound, has high strength properties and withstands any mechanical stress.
• Frozen parquet flooring does not respond to temperature changes and changes in room humidity.
• The use of a primer is optional.
• Due to the elasticity of the formed layer, there is no contracting effect of the surface texture of the parquet.
• Polyurethane hardened surface, due to the formed protective layer, acquires the properties of moisture resistance.

Important! Polyurethane varnishes for parquet have no visible drawbacks, except for one - after getting this substance into the gaps between the boards there is a strong gluing of the components of the parquet.

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Alkyd varnishes for parquet: advantages and scope of application

Alkyd resins are based on alkyd varnishes, which are extracted from natural raw materials. Due to the fact that among the components of this substance are flax, wood and other oils, the designated type of varnish for parquet has the property of deep penetration into the wood structure.

Important! Also, the composition may include a highly concentrated or low-concentration white spirit.

Pros

Among the main advantages are:

• low glue level;
• does not fill the gap between the dies;
• has a high level of thermal and moisture resistance;
• increase the natural beauty of the selected wood;
• perfectly convey the multifaceted structure of wood.

Cons

To counterbalance the advantages of such disadvantages:

• low level of durability, so it is not recommended to use in frequently visited places;
• necessary very vigilant control over the amount of applied varnish, because in time this can lead to the appearance of unwanted wrinkles on the varnished parquet;
• during the drying period is required to maintain a low indoor temperature, because this type of varnish is very sensitive to too high temperatures.

Important! Alkyd varnish for parquet - not quite convenient and advantageous option for a lot of rooms, but they can still be used for surfaces in the kitchen.

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Formaldehyde varnishes: main advantages and disadvantages

The strongest varnish is considered formaldehyde, so it will be an ideal option for the corridor and kitchen, as it will help to prolong the operating period of the varnished parquet.

Important! The basis of this type is formaldehyde resins that do not affect health in any way, as they quickly evaporate from the varnished surface and leave no hint of their entry into the used lacquer.

Advantages of

Advantages of formaldehyde varnish for parquet are:

• high moisture and heat resistance, so the parquet is perfectly preserved with sharp changes;
• is allowed to use on previously unprimed surfaces;
• have excellent adhesion to wood, which significantly extends the period of use;
• is very convenient to apply a variety of paint accessories.

Cons

Also this type has a number of drawbacks:

• the side walls of the plates are too strongly glued;
• because of the excessively toxic odor, during application it is necessary to work only in a special respirator and with open windows.

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Parquet flooring technology

Before starting to coat the parquet with lacquer, the preparatory steps should be taken:

1. Eliminate all protruding metal objects by driving in deeper or full extraction so that the parquet floor is perfectly even.
2. Repair all problem areas.
3. Use special detergents to thoroughly clean the floor and wait for it to dry completely.
4. Remove the old layer of protective wax and varnish for parquet with white spirit or a special solvent.
5. Align the floor and remove the old darkened layer using a sewing machine.

Important! It is necessary to apply for help to experienced specialists, if you have never performed the parquet flooring, because this process requires special skills. In addition, cycling should be done several times to achieve a better effect. Also, depending on the wood species, different methods of performing the work are used.

1. Clean the finished surface of debris and completely level the parquet with a grinder. This process must be repeated three times, gradually reducing the grain size of the sandpaper.
2. Using an industrial vacuum cleaner, get rid of dust on the floor.

Important! At the end of all actions, carefully inspect the surface for damaged areas. If necessary, using special putty, repair the problem areas. After that you need to once again polish the parquet, using fine-grained sandpaper.

After the preparatory phase, you can safely proceed to the coating of the parquet with lacquer. This action can be performed in two different ways: with brushes( rollers) or with a spray gun. It all depends on personal preferences, because both options are quite effective.

In order to accurately and beautifully apply a layer of varnish for parquet, using a brush, it is necessary to adhere to a few very simple rules:

• the temperature in the room should not be below 12 ° C or above 25 ° C;
• use only a wide brush;
• to start work from the side of the window and gradually move towards the door;
• to cover a parquet on a U-shaped arch, partially overlapping the previous smear in order to get a uniform layer without thickening;
• wait until the first layer of varnish dries completely, gently polish the parquet with a diamond net or fine-grained sandpaper;

Important! When using one-component varnish, it is allowed to leave a brush in the container with varnish, otherwise it is necessary to thoroughly wash the brush after the first stage has been completed.

If a roller is used to coat a parquet with a varnish, then one should not forget about such rules:

• it is necessary to cover the parquet with the expectation that ¾ falls on a clean surface, and only 1/4 is applied to the varnished area;
• to apply varnish for a parquet in crosswise movements, namely - at first to cover a parquet transversal movement, then - to level along the freshly applied layer of a varnish;

Important! It is strictly forbidden to cover the parquet with M-shaped movements. In this case, uneven distribution of varnish will occur, and after complete drying, unpleasant stains will remain.

If this type of work is performed for the first time, then it is worthwhile to be prepared for a not quite perfect result, but this is quite normal. Over time, the process will be performed more accurately and qualitatively, because all the same, varnishing should be periodically updated.