Your email address will not be published. Let me explain. var bbbprotocol=(("https:"==document.location.protocol)? No more smell. Loose or Creaking Boards & Tight or Popping Boards, Is Swedish finish for hardwood floors toxic? The primary disadvantage of the Swedish finish is the powerful and unpleasant odor. We understand that price, cleanliness, timeliness and quality are equally important to you. Painting a room can become toxic if you do not allow proper ventilation. Engineered flooring is not the same as laminated wood flooring. So, did you find this article useful? There are a growing number of waterborne (water based) finishes available on the market including some like Glitsa Max, Bona Traffic, or Basic Coatings Streetshoe. I am Ralph Wade and welcome to my blog. I started getting sick shortly after and myself and 2 children now have a Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Acid-cured (Swedish) Floor Finish Some lower-VOC, water-based products largely finish off-gassing within a few days. To reduce VOC emission in the environment, CA has already banned lots of consumer products, lawn and garden products, and so on. Designed by Redstone Promotional Communications, Environmentally Friendly Sustainable Flooring, Tile Flooring Boulder, Fort Collins Colorado. Skokie, Swedish finish health risk: headaches, earaches and difficulty sleeping after Swedish finish was applied Q: My builders wonderful flooring company installed red oak hardwood floors on the whole main floor of our house and now I hear that Europe banned the Swedish finish used on our floors almost 20 years ago. WebSwedish Finish Looks. WebHigh Toxicity/VOCs: The biggest concern with Swedish finish is the high level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which will affect air quality in the home. Federal law requires varnishes to contain less than 450 grams of VOCs per liter, with lacquers limited to 350 grams per liter. WebSwedish finishes dry fast but can take 30 - 90 days to fully cure. Understanding how long VOCs linger in your home after refinishing may help you decide what floor finishes and refinishing techniques are best for your family. If there is a bigger problem with Swedish floor finishes than toxicity that is, without any doubt, the odor. It can perfectly hide all the imperfections of the hardwood floor and its very easy to keep it clean. Then you would know for sure. A new kid on the block, it's a water-based poly that is cured with a really bright UV light after it is dried. The Swedish Finish is no more toxic than any other solvent-based finish, stain or paint. This is NOT an eco friendly hardwood These last two are out as far as I am concerned because of their great toxicity.

Any company that tells you this is doing so because they do not know the proper ways to handle this finish. The issue is so big that in some states, like Massachusetts, it is against the law to use it. Moisture-cured urethane is a great option for homes with high traffic areas, many kids, and pets. UV-cured water-based polyurethane. If youve decided to add hardwood floors to your home, or if youre simply just refinishing your existing floor, you have a handful of decisions to make. As much as we try to give you an insight on all the in and outs of the flooring businees, as much as we try to help you make the right choice there are always going to be these details that belong to your house and your house only. Unlike most finishes, which form a layer on top of the hardwood, a Swedish finish actually chemically bonds with the wooda conversion process that results in an especially hard finish. WebSwedish finishes dry fast but can take 30 - 90 days to fully cure. Even some building supplies like plywood may use adhesives that off-gas formaldehyde forever. The only fall back is that Swedish finish permits toxic fume during the coating process. Not just Glitsa, lots of chemical products are banned in CA. Im not aware of any studies specifically for this type of finish on human health. Home | Types of Flooring | Flooring Tips | Gallery | FAQ Schaumburg, Often, customers ask us about finishing options other than the traditional Swedish finish. Engineered wood flooring uses a top layer of real wood with other types of wood (usually plywood) beneath it. Could Swedish finish fumes harm our pets? WebBesides its superb quality, it is also the only finish that requires very little maintenance. The finish on my floors is peeling. One piece of advice though: do not ever apply three coats of finish in the same day. Share your experience with Glitsa floor finish in the comment box. She is just getting over dealing with lead poisoning. Swedish finish is simply a nice-sounding name for a conversion varnish, which cures by chemical reaction. The UL Study When UL conducted extensive research on wood floor finishes, researchers found that 80 percent of todays wood finishes emit some level of toxic VOCs. I would never use it when I started my own business. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The alternative of polyurethane surface finish is Swedish finish which is very much popular in the Pacific Northwest. Winnetka, Illinois, Floor Installation: Bamboo Flooring Installation, Hardwood Floor Installation, Engineered Floor Installation, Laminate Flooring Installation, Basement Floor Installation, Kitchen Flooring Installation, Cork Flooring Installation, Herringbone Floor Installation, Hardwood Floor Borders, Pergo Flooring Installation, Floor Refinishing: Hardwood Floor Refinish, Refinishing Wood Stairs, Dust Free Hardwood Floor Refinishing, Hardwood Flooring Refinishing, Refinishing Hardwood Floors, Floating Floor: Floating Laminate Flooring, Bamboo Floating Floor, Floating Basement Floor, Floating Cork Floor Tiles, Floating Engineered Hardwood Floor, 500 N Michigan Ave, Suite 600, Chicago, IL, Zip Code 60611, 312-254-9853. Reducing VOC emissions from consumer products therefore plays an integral part in ARBs effort to reduce smog in California.. If thats not possible, Id like to know the next easiest thing short of doing another full swedish finish job. I cant remember!) Maintenance of Swedish can be as little as damp mopping. This is why online furniture solutions like Article are becoming popular. It wouldnt be helpful if tiny dust particles are all over the walls and into the ventilation system. We have had headaches, earaches and difficulty sleeping last week when we came home after 24 hours (when they said it was safe). What about moist hair ball regurgitation? link to Why Is Article Furniture So Expensive And Is It Worth It? Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Your complete satisfaction is our goal. She received her LEED accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2008 and is in the process of working towards an Architectural Hardware Consultant certification from the Door and Hardware Institute. Any chemical is potentially dangerous if not handled correctly. It provides superior protection for the wood, and it enhances the woods appearance. If getting it over with is your priority the Swedish floor finishes are definitely the option to go for. 3 Answers, After three months finish started to blister, Wood floors smell months after refinishing, Finish peeling after one and a half months, Unevenly stained wood floor looks tie-dyed, recommendation to hire an experienced pro. Laminate wood has melamine-infused paper on top and it is not 100% real wood. You dont want to be in the house when Swedish finishes are drying. For more helpful flooring advice as well as a free estimate on your upcoming project, please contact us. Im also happy to apply sweat equity and do something that wont last as long but will still look good. Some VOCs in hardwood floor refinishing products include benzene, formaldehyde, toulen, xylene and arsenic. In general, it's best to avoid water solutions when cleaning hardwood floors, but the epoxy coating on Swedish hardwood is durable enough to prevent seepage, as long as you meticulously dry the floor after mopping. The downside of Swedish finish, however, is that it contains volatile solvents which are extremely flammable and have a very unpleasant odor. New hardwood floors added to your home can add a warmth and elegance not achieved by any other flooring surface while increasing the value of your home. Here is why its getting incredible popularity: Always sticking to the classic Swedish principles is the motto of Glitsa. The length of the off-gassing period can vary significantly based on the amount and type of finish you use, conditions in the home, and how much ventilation is available. Because the chemical process involved in a Swedish finish results in a fast cure, the job can be completed quickly. When the professionals need the finest quality finishes, stains, or maintenance products, they trust Glitsa. Water-based finishes, when applied correctly, definitely offer results to match those of Swedish. Norridge, I try to keep him from putting things in his. We offer a three year guarantee on all labor and allow the customer to keep 10% of the labor cost for another three months after the completion of the project. If toxicity is an issue and if you are looking for a cleaner, healthier type of floor finish, the Monocoat line is the product you are looking for. If not, please tell me how I can improve this article. There has been a lot of research in this area so look for current information. I also have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. Compared to the other finishing options, a Swedish finish provides better protection against scratches, scuffs, water damage, and stains. If you are new here, please review posting/commenting guidelines below. Most contractors recommend leaving rugs off floors for as long as possible until the floor is cured. Particularly for hardwood floors in high-traffic areas, a Swedish finish can keep floors looking fresh longer, extending the time until they need to be refinished. It is a great finish but - as you know - has lots of fumes. Some VOCs in hardwood floor refinishing products include benzene, formaldehyde, toulen, xylene and arsenic. I cant wait to have a party and show it to all my friends. In fact, its the most practical finish to use on hardwoods in kitchens. If that proves to be the case it would tell me that, yes it continues to emit formaldehyde even when dry. Im in over my pay grade, but if it was me, I think Id be looking for a good doctor, and get on a high nutrition diet with supplements. We generally apply 2 coats of Swedish finish on successive days, and Seattle Floor Service always recommends vacating the premises while these coats of finish are being applied. Niles, If you are looking for a finish that works both on natural floors as well as stained floors, Monocoat would be the option to go for. Odor and Toxicity. If stains is what you're going after the Swedish wood floor finish presents a series of advantages and disadvantages as well. If you are going to refinish the floor yourself, I suggest you use polyurethane. Some VOCs in hardwood floor refinishing products include benzene, formaldehyde, toulen, xylene and arsenic. We understand this and developed a process designed to protect you from these "inconveniences". They will tell you that its perfect to preserve and enhance the beauty of their wood floors. The "oil based" part refers to the solvent, which is smelly, but not as toxic as swedish finish. At Chicago Flooring Innovations we understand that investing in a flooring project represents a big commitment for our customers. The U.S. Green Building Council reports off-gassing of oil-based finishes can last for months or even years. We are looking into redoing them. Operating in the greater Seattle area, including Bellevue, Everett, Kirkland, Sammamish, Mercer Island, Lynnwood, ShorelineServices: Hardwood Floor Installation, Repair, and Refininshing | Bamboo Floors | Hardwood Care. Sounds so exotic or European. Is this a health hazard for my son? High-quality product Hi. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. It is also known as acid cured! Its been almost two months since it was finished, but it still smells if we close the windows. The lower the VOC content, the fewer chemicals the product contains that will off-gas into your home. The Swedish Finish is not highly flammable or combustible but proper caution should be exercised while using it just like you would do handling any chemical. He believes he got it from long term inhaling of certain types of wood dust. I assume the previous owners put polyurethane over wax. You can also check out Glitsa Americas website: www.glitsa.com, Glitsa, a division of Rudd Company has launched a Fan Page for the Glitsa brand of wood floor finishes. But it`s the final finish the protective coating that determines how long the look will last. The product used to finish is Berger Seidle (or Gerber, After we moved in to our home, we noted that our "nice" wood floors began to flake clear/yellow thin layers. Many homeowners choose the Swedish finishes specifically for this. Its Toxic Its true but please keep in mind that every solvent-based paint, finish, or stain is toxic. Toxicity is probably one of the biggest concerns when it comes to Swedish floor finishes. It's been almost two months since it was finished, but it still smells if we close the windows. This means that while the floor may not be sticky to the touch (dry), the finish continues to off-gas, emitting toxic chemicals into the air while curing. Will my cats nails scratch prefinished hardwood flooring? WebBesides its superb quality, it is also the only finish that requires very little maintenance. Obviously, you will have to be very careful about any cleaning products, finishes and food toxins you are exposed to. A darker stain was used for the upstairs bedrooms. Its hazardous for any such chemicals including the Swedish Finish. What is the appropriate amount of time for us to not be in the home (and our cats) because of toxic fumes (from Swedish finish)?

Californias ban is not specific to only Swedish Finish but any chemical that increases their VOC level because they are trying to lower the smog in CA.The following is an excerpt directly from the Lake Zurich, These last two are out as far as I am concerned because of their great toxicity. Particularly for hardwood floors in high-traffic areas, a Swedish finish can keep floors looking fresh longer, extending the time until they need to be refinished. Understanding how and what to choose, for your floor will determine the lenght and quality of your wood floor for many years to come. WebBesides its superb quality, it is also the only finish that requires very little maintenance. 3. Any familiarity with stuff like that? Be sure to choose a vendor who understands the details of wood flooring. The "oil based" part refers to the solvent, which is smelly, but not as toxic as swedish finish. polyurethane should be the choice to go for. Water borne sounds very safe but contains some solvents that are really dangerous and can lead to nasty consequences for those who are sensitive, though these finishes dont smell bad. If you are allergic to strong chemicals or if you have kids I recommend you to make a different pick. In the United States, the finish has its biggest following here in the Pacific Northwest. I try to keep him from putting things in his, Q: We have 2 coats of Swedish finish on our oak floor, still in great condition after 5 years of good care. The Swedish Finish is not highly flammable or combustible but proper caution should be exercised while using it just like you would do handling any chemical. About Us | Contact Us | Privacy Policy, Arlington Heights, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Deerfield, Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Glitsas fine instrumentation has measured that 95-99% of the solvents in Glitsa Swedish Finish evaporate within 24 hours depending on climate and humidity. I was poking around wood floor restorer stuff and saw something called rejuvenate Seems like 2/3rds of rejuvenate customers are happy, others call it a waste of money, nobody has a Swedish Finish that i saw: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FG718VM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_q3oyCbJ595DFV. So, to make the long story short, pricewise, the Swedish wood floor finish sits "on the upper shelf". WebSwedish finish floors have a durable epoxy coating that doesn't need wax or polish, but to maintain the shine, you do have to give the floor an occasional cleaning. My builder's wonderful flooring company installed red oak hardwood floors on the whole main floor of our house and now I hear that Europe banned the Swedish finish used on our floors almost 20 years ago. Well, talk to any proud homeowners about why they prefer Glitsa so much. Water-based polyurethane. Should he be removed from the house while the floors are refinished? Morton Grove, WebSwedish Finish Looks.