Parquet and parquet boards are considered elite floor coverings, and if they have a certain income, each owner chooses them for repairs. After all, these coatings, in addition to excellent aesthetic qualities, also have high strength and wear resistance. But to protect against premature wear, ensure high strength and preserve color, the wood must be coated with parquet varnish.
Parquet varnish – selection criteria
There are several factors influencing the choice of a particular varnish:
- purpose of the room and, accordingly, the expected load on the floor;
- desired appearance and degree of gloss;
- composition of parquet varnish, its chemical structure and technological properties.
Each of the parquet varnishes existing today has individual characteristics regarding these factors. Therefore, before purchasing and starting to use varnish, you need to study its properties:
- Water-based parquet varnish Suitable for rooms that do not experience high loads. It is characterized by an average level of wear resistance and the lowest emission of harmful substances. The non-toxicity of the varnish is explained by the fact that its base is water. For the same reason, water-based varnishes are not used for hygroscopic wood species. Water-based, odorless parquet varnish is recommended for residential premises and people suffering from allergies. It is not advisable to choose water-based glossy parquet varnish because it does not have a very expressive gloss.
- Polyurethane parquet varnish has a high level of strength and wear resistance. It reliably protects wood from moisture, and when applied, the resulting continuous film is evenly distributed over the entire surface of the floor and fills all existing unevenness. Therefore, when using polyurethane varnish, a perfectly flat surface is formed that is not afraid of wet cleaning. In addition, when choosing a polyurethane varnish, you need to take into account that it does not preserve the natural color of the wood.
- Acrylic parquet varnish significantly increases the wear resistance of wood. Each additional layer of varnish applied makes it much stronger. But you should take into account how long it takes for acrylic parquet varnish to dry. This process can take up to two weeks. It also does not protect the wood from moisture.
- Alkyd varnishes characterized by a high level of strength and moisture resistance. Such coatings dry for at least 24 hours. But alkyd-urethane parquet varnish dries in no more than 12 hours, thanks to the addition of urethane to the composition.
- In addition, you can find on sale one- and two-component parquet varnish. Its components – base and hardener, are sold in separate containers and mixed immediately before application. Two-component varnishes are much more expensive than one-component varnishes, but they also have a higher level of durability.
Choosing a glossy varnish requires you to create a perfectly smooth surface of the parquet floor, because such a coating will make all imperfections more obvious.
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But matte and semi-matte parquet varnish, on the contrary, will skillfully hide these imperfections.
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The appearance of the decorative coating also depends on the color of the chosen varnish. Thus, applying white parquet varnish to the floor surface gives the wood light, translucent shades.
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Light yellow varnish will make the natural color of the wood more saturated. Dark yellow or light brown varnish colors will give the coating a reddish tint. And dark parquet varnish can radically change the natural color of wood.
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