Hardwood Floors April/May 2025

polymers prepared by methods other than isocyanates, cool combination polyurethane-acrylic

hybrid dispersions (PUAs), innovations in matting technology and additives used in said coatings, faster cure times and properties advance the development of viable site-cured UV coatings (and increased hardness relative to conventional 2K and 1K coatings) and the equipment to cure them (including in the oil realm), the development of a range of wood “reactives,” expansion of sealers to accommodate a range of looks and uses, and others. Scientific advancements have pushed oil-based coatings to continually trend lower in VOC, as well; polymers have been prepared to be faster-drying by modifications to the nature of and/or to increase the unsaturated content (“fatty acid” functionality/ ability to cross-link), by modifications in dedicated “driers” themselves, and others. There has been huge growth in the natural/penetrating oil finish market, with low to no VOC offerings, fabulous coloring options, some with cross-linkers or UV-cured for enhanced properties, and others. We cannot leave out the leaps in factory-finished flooring from the early days. From the clarity and durability of the finish systems (including the addition of oil options), to the flooring itself, which can be very high-tech. These innovations have increased performance in a number of ways, including addressing a wider range of consumer demands, being friendlier to the environment, generally easier to use, and put into full use quicker. Have these innovations increased durability? From a strictly wear or hardness perspective of a specific coating or finish system, in some ways and situations, yes. However, if a specifier/ contractor/consumer does not pick a finish system that is suitable for the use it will get or start with and follow manufacturer and/or NWFA guidelines for use and maintenance, it almost certainly will not be as durable as expected. In what ways can improperly mixed

Manufacturers provide recommended dry and cure times to allow the finish to achieve maximum performance, including hardness, etc. Said dry/cure times are based on lab, then field testing. Believe me, we do NOT want you to have problems, so we do our due diligence ahead-of-time. Remember, these times work in concert with our recommended temperature and RH ranges for storage, floor preparation, coating, use, and maintenance. adhesion, flexibility, chemical resistance,

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finish impact results? Perhaps the easiest aspect of improper or inadequate mixing can be seen with any finish (water or oil-based) that has advertised sheen other than gloss – if there is no mixing of these, as in, open the lid and pour it out, the resulting dried sheen will usually be higher, maybe considerably higher with an ultra-matte or matte finish. Another component is insufficient mixing

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APRIL 15-17 | CHARLOTTE, NC

NWFAEXPO.ORG

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

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