Hardwood Floors June/July 2019

By Lee Hurst

effortlessly with the other minerals, starches, and proteins found in wood to create an insoluble substance that’s highly resistant to decomposition. Over time, due to a wide range of environmental factors, these tannins are what change the color of the wood. For anyone who enjoys a weekend drive through the mountains of Appalachia during September, October, and early November, you can thank tannin for all that beautiful foliage as it is also the reason leaves change colors. So, why does any of this matter? Well, for lovers of the “OldWorld” look that has become so widely popular in the hardwood flooring industry over the past few years, this process is what affords trees longevity and allows the wood to age. Golfing legend Arnold Palmer once said, “It is a rare and difficult attainment to grow old gracefully and happily.” For most trees, tannins make this very achievement possible.

HOW THE REACTIVE STAIN PROCESS WORKS

In the past, to create an aged, “OldWorld” look for their wood floors, hardwood floor finishers had to be pretty creative. Methods to achieve this particular style and look on wood floor planks included fuming themwith ammonia, applying a solution composed of steel wool and pure vinegar, and even torching. To no one’s surprise, these efforts were time-consuming and often yielded mixed results. Fortunately, the development of chemical reactive technology has revolutionized this process.

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

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