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We are in the midst of installing new wood floors (select oak – 3/4″) and the sub stormed off the job after the staining. Now having not lived in my house for 5 days (I have a 1 and 3 year old) we are really stuck. The contractor is frantically trying to find another sub but realistically won’t happen in the next day or so. The flooring sub was planning on using oil based polyeurathanes (=time in humid Tennessee). I have previously done smaller rooms myself and used water bases Tripp’s. What are opinions on doing the entire downstairs – this would speed up our ability to get back into the house but I don’t want to do it at the expense of the appearance or long term wear. Please Help!
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Replies
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Oil based will look better on your oak. Ages yellow.
Some formulae of water-based will tint blue if exposed to direct sun.
Have at it and move back in next week.
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I've seen water base finish soften in warm humid weather. Do you ever have warm humid weather in Tennessee? Maybe you have better finishes than we have here. If you go with water, do your body a favour and avoid the catalyzed types. Floor finishers here swear it doesn't take very much exposure to the stuff before allergic-type reactions develop in almost anything living. (Moss and lichens appear to be exempt)
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We are in the midst of installing new wood floors (select oak - 3/4") and the sub stormed off the job after the staining. Now having not lived in my house for 5 days (I have a 1 and 3 year old) we are really stuck. The contractor is frantically trying to find another sub but realistically won't happen in the next day or so. The flooring sub was planning on using oil based polyeurathanes (=time in humid Tennessee). I have previously done smaller rooms myself and used water bases Tripp's. What are opinions on doing the entire downstairs - this would speed up our ability to get back into the house but I don't want to do it at the expense of the appearance or long term wear. Please Help!
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It seems that time is the one element that is not on your side. Oil poly is likely the best way to go since it sets up quickest. However, if time was not that big of an issue I wouldn't do poly at all. I'd go the route of "Varathane," a IPN (interlocking acrylics), by Flexco. Available in most markets. It comes oil or water based. The water is nice. Dries in about 2 hours. However, you have to wait a week before you can move the furniture back in. Advantages: will not Yellow over time (for those who don't like the look of aging coatings); 10 times harder than poly; a safe product to use. Check out their web site and Good Luck.