Hardwood Floors June/July 2019

AT THE SITE All About Stain Reactive Flooring (Continued) I

sugars of hardwood to safely draw out the wood's organic color. This creates eye-catching, aesthetically pleasing, and more natural colors, resulting in some of the cleanest, most eco-friendly wood floors on the market today. Visually speaking, these floors produce an almost holographic

Today, reactive stain formulas are greener, safer, more consistent, and more stable than ever before. Reactive stain is a pigment-free, water-based solution often composed of iron chloride, a salt that is routinely used in the purification process of clean, healthy drinking water. When applied to hardwood, this solution

look, with the unique graining patterns found in each plank displaying a stunning, mirroring “3D” effect. Fromwhichever angle, height, or perspective they are viewed, each plank looks alive and rich. From a functional standpoint, even for busy homes with high traffic areas, these floors are incredibly durable. Most manufacturers apply a high-grade, multicoat, UV-cured matte aluminum oxide finish to produce a highly scratch-resistant wood floor. As an added benefit, this eco-friendly finish mimics the look of a traditional oil-finished

expedites the organic, color-changing process that occurs within the natural elements found in wood – in particular, as detailed above, the chemical compound tannin. To produce a chemical reaction on a floor, this special, eco-friendly solution is brushed on each wood floor plank by hand. Upon application, the wood instantaneously undergoes a powerful oxidative reaction between the dissolved minerals in the stain and the natural tannins found in the wood. In an effort to deeply penetrate the wood and

“Today, reactive stain formulas

are greener, safer, more consistent, and more stable than ever before.”

floor but requires a mere fraction of the maintenance. Simply sweep as needed to remove debris and apply a manufacturer- recommended hardwood floor cleaner, and you’re good to go! Homeowners, interior designers/decorators, and high- end designers/architects alike will appreciate the plentiful decorating options and ease of ownership afforded by these beautiful prefinished engineered wood floors. Lee Hurst is a 2017 recipient of the Hardwood Floors magazine “40 Under 40” award, recognizing the top 40 professionals under the age of 40 in the wood flooring industry. A co-owner of Hurst Hardwoods, a family-owned and -operated national wood flooring online wholesaler located in Tampa, Florida, he can be reached at lee@hursthardwoods.com.

bring each plank to life, this advanced coloration process is then repeated multiple times to accentuate and enhance the natural character and beauty of wood.

CHEMICAL REACTIVE ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORING BENEFITS

Contrary to concerns that harmful ingredients are used in this “chemical staining” process, as previously detailed, stain reactive technology uses the already-present tannins and

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