Hardwood Floors June/July 2024

AT THE SITE

Chemical reactive stains like lye, iron-acetate, anhydrous ammonia, or commercially available fuming/smoking products, can change the color of the wood by reacting with naturally occurring tannins in the wood. Reactive stains create an aged/ rustic appearance of the wood in a wide range of intense and unpredictable color variations in the wood that are difficult or impossible to duplicate with traditional stains. The concern that often comes up is: do these chemical treatments potentially damage/weaken the wood fibers, and what other potential problems may surface? The answer to this depends on what type of chemical is applied. chemicals. These chemicals don't contain pigments but alter the color of wood by reacting with tannins that are naturally present in the wood. Strong corrosive chemicals have also been used to bleach out the natural color of wood. These chemicals can be liquid household bleach, pool bleach, and two-part bleach. / Over the years, trade- and craftspeople have used many different chemicals to alter the natural color of wood flooring using a single chemical or a mix of TREATMENTS ON WOOD FLOORING THE EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL/ REACTIVE

PHOTOS COURTESY OF NWFA

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