Let's figure out which varnish for parquet is better and how to choose it. First, it’s worth clarifying what types of varnishes can be found on the modern building materials market.
First of all, varnishes can be divided into those that are solvent-based (for example, white spirit) and water-based varnishes, which means water-soluble (note that after drying, the varnish does not interact with water, so does not erase). The third type is acid varnishes, for example the famous “Novomoskovsky”, manufactured since the times of the Soviet Union, and more modern ones, which are used less frequently because they are highly toxic and have quite strong yellowing during operation.
Solvent-based varnishes, often called polyurethane, are more suitable for those who like a high-gloss floor; it is almost impossible to achieve this effect with water-based varnish.
Disadvantages of this product:
- - drying time, each layer should dry for at least 4 hours, and ideally up to 24 hours;
- - fades (turns yellow) over time;
- - contains allergens.
The positive aspects of solvent-based varnishes: high gloss level and low price.
Some world-famous companies, for example Bona from Sweden, have long decided to stop the production of solvent-based varnishes, and for good reason. According to European standards, such parquet products are considered harmful to human health.
Water-based varnishes come in one-component and two-component types. One-component varnish is most often used in rooms where the load on the parquet is quite moderate - in apartment rooms. Two-component varnish is necessary in rooms where the load on the parquet can be called high, for example in the corridor, kitchen, school, office, kindergarten, etc. However, if you have the means, you can cover the parquet with a two-component varnish in the bedroom or other residential areas rooms, this will only increase the life of the flooring.
People often assume that water-based varnish can be easily removed with water. This is a mistake: the water content in the varnish is considered a great achievement in parquet chemistry! After the varnish dries, all the water evaporates, and the coating becomes highly durable. It will be impossible to wash such varnish not only with water, but also with other types of household chemicals (and some types of water-soluble varnishes and aggressive chemicals). The only way to remove the coating to install a new one is by sanding.
The advantages of water-based varnish include:
- - low toxicity;
- - quick drying (3-4 layers are applied within a few hours);
- - absence of allergens;
- - no smell;
- - absence of yellowness, which usually appears over time;
- - preservation of the structure of the tree (the effect of wood not covered with products);
- - high strength (with the same consumption of water-based varnish and solvent-based varnish).
Disadvantages of water-based varnish: its cost is higher than that of solvent-based varnish. To achieve a glossy effect, more coats of gloss varnish are required.
The next question in choosing a varnish for parquet is its price. Let's simplify the task by recalculating the price per 1 liter.
At the beginning of 2011, solvent-based varnishes cost from 500 to 2,500 rubles. per liter
Let's take a closer look at water-based varnish. Its manufacturers have a very wide range of prices for their products. Today, the cheapest varnish is considered to be domestically produced varnish. It can be purchased for about 250 rubles. per liter (for a package of 5 liters we will pay 1,250 rubles).
This kind of flooring will last for several years, however, there is a remark that water (spilled on the floor, for example) passes through the parquet, and the wood changes its color. Despite this, domestic water-based varnishes are in great demand among consumers. The average price for water-soluble varnish produced in England, America, the Baltic states or Germany is 550 rubles. per liter (RUB 2,750 for a 5-liter container). By the way, with a three-layer application, such a varnish can last about 4-7 years.
Varnishes of exceptional quality are produced by companies specializing exclusively in professional parquet chemistry. Such varnishes usually cannot be bought in construction supermarkets; they are sold by companies involved in floor coverings. The world's leading manufacturers are Bona (Sweden), Loba (Germany), Tover (Italy).
In recent years, the Germans have been ahead as high-quality manufacturers of parquet products. A large assortment of German-made varnishes allowed Germany to conquer the countries of the European Union. The cost of a single-component varnish of the highest quality is 550 rubles. per liter (average cost - 2,750-3,600 rubles for a 5-liter container). This varnish will last at least 10 years. For two-component varnish - from 900 rubles. per liter (on average 4,500-6,800 rubles per 5 liters). Two-component varnishes are designed to last at least 15 years in an ordinary apartment and up to 10 years in offices or other service-type premises.
Classification of parquet varnishes and oils. Which parquet varnish to choose
Types of parquet varnishes and oils. Bases and solvents. Which parquet varnish and parquet oil is best to use in which case?
Properties of parquet varnishes
When choosing a varnish (usually the varnish for parquet work is chosen by a parquet master taking into account the customer’s wishes), it is necessary to take into account its most important technical characteristics, which are usually given in the description. The determining factors when choosing a varnish are the purpose of the room and the expected load on the parquet. If the room will be used by a small number of people and they will wear light house shoes, then you should choose parquet varnish for floors with increased load.
In non-residential premises with high traffic (bars, restaurants, museums, shops, etc.), it is preferable, instead of covering parquet floors with varnishes, to rub them with water-repellent compounds, oil impregnations or wax mastics. Thanks to this, the useful layer of the parquet strip remains in good condition for a long time, because when coated with oil or wax, the parquet is not sanded, as when coated with varnish. (For example, the parquet flooring in the Ostankino Museum, which is a work of art, was preserved in good condition for more than 100 years thanks to a constantly renewed wax coating.)
Varnishes are distinguished by:
- - chemical composition: water-soluble, based on artificial oil resins (alkyd and urethane-alkyd), water-free polyurethane (DD, PUR-varnishes), acid-curing or formaldehyde resin-based (SH-varnishes), primers;
- - technological properties (for example, by method of application, viscosity, fluidity);
- - resistance to operational loads (i.e., resistance to mechanical loads, external environments, light) and service life;
- - qualities that affect the appearance (for example, the ability to paint wood, i.e., the degree of purification from turbid impurities, transparency);
- - gloss levels: matte, silky-matte, semi-matte, semi-gloss, glossy;
- - degree of environmental friendliness and recycling possibilities.
Water-soluble varnishes (water-based varnishes)
Water-soluble varnishes in most cases are dispersions. The dispersion is formed by small-sized droplets of the binder, evenly distributed throughout the volume of water. To achieve small droplet sizes and their uniform distribution, a high-speed stirrer is required. Water and a binder are poured into the container for preparing the dispersion, then when adding emulsifiers, all this is mixed at high speed until the mixture stops stratifying. After this, a small amount of solvent is added as a film-forming component. As a result, small droplets of binder are formed with adjacent particles of emulsifier and solvent, which are surrounded by water.
Due to the peculiarities of preparation, water-soluble varnishes dry differently than varnishes with a large amount of solvent. After applying the varnish, water first begins to evaporate. The film-forming component evaporates much more slowly, so its concentration in the dispersion constantly increases. When a certain threshold concentration value is reached, the film-forming component begins to dissolve the binder droplets (as they say, the binder droplets melt). Only after this does the film-forming component completely evaporate. The varnish film dries and hardens.
Water-soluble varnishes have good adhesive properties when applied to wooden surfaces and form a viscoelastic film. Based on the solvent content, they are divided into three categories: containing no solvents at all, containing solvents up to 5 and up to 15%.
When storing varnish, do not allow it to freeze. When applying it, the ambient temperature must be higher than the minimum permissible (15 C). Water-based varnish has the negative property of gluing the side joints of parquet films. Its adhesive properties can be reduced by using a primer, but cannot be completely eliminated. The positive properties of water-soluble varnishes include a very low concentration of solvent vapors in the air at the time of application.
The smell of such varnish in the room is felt to a lesser extent than when working with anhydrous chemicals, so water-based varnishes can be used in rooms where people who are not involved in this process are present at the time of coating.
These varnishes are non-flammable, they can be used where, according to construction conditions, the use of varnishes with solvents is impossible due to the risk of fire or explosion. The negative properties of water-based varnishes include their relatively low wear resistance compared to anhydrous polyurethane and acid-curing groups.
To increase their wear resistance, manufacturers are forced to add special additives to varnishes. Thus, the binder of water-based varnish for floors with normal loads can be polyurethane acrylic dispersion, for floors with increased loads - a modified polyurethane dispersion. In order for the polymerization reaction to proceed normally, they require relatively stable air humidity in the room (at least 50%), and this is not always possible to ensure, especially in winter, when central heating is on, and if there are no humidifiers in the room. At the time of application, water-based varnishes are sensitive to the microclimate of the room.
As a rule, water-based varnishes are also demanding of the proprietary tool (rollers) and do not like it when they are applied with a swab, spatula, or brush.
Since these varnishes have a water residue, it is not advisable to coat them without a primer, especially on “nervous” species: beech, hornbeam, pine, merbau, etc. A primer is usually included with the varnish by the manufacturer. It helps protect the edges of the parquet planks from warping (to prevent the formation of torn edges on the parquet plank, increasing the wood fibers). Professional modern water-based varnishes can be applied without prior priming with a special composition.
Varnishes based on artificial oil resins
The binder for varnishes based on artificial oil resins are alkyd resins, which are produced from natural raw materials, such as linseed or wood oil. These natural oils allow the varnish to penetrate deeply into the wood.
Polymerization reactions involving products obtained from natural raw materials are very complex. Simplifying these phenomena, we can imagine the process of drying the varnish layer as follows. After applying alkyd varnish, the solvent (white spirit) first begins to evaporate. Only after a significant portion of the solvent has evaporated does the chemical polymerization reaction begin. In this case, double chemical bonds in monomer molecules are broken, and the latter are combined into polymer chains that bind to each other and form a spatial network.
The polymerization reaction becomes possible because alkyd resin molecules have double chemical bonds. At the beginning of the reaction, the molecules are close to each other. When the solvent evaporates, oxygen from the air diffuses into the first liquid and then adhesive-like varnish film and is located between the alkyd resin molecules. As a result, the molecules begin to react with each other and increase in size.
The varnish film first becomes glue-like, and then - within 8-12 hours at a temperature of 20 C and a relative humidity of 50% - it finally hardens. Depending on how much solvent has evaporated, the thickness of the varnish layer also decreases. Urethane-alkyd and alkyd varnishes change the natural color of wood, “set fire” to the wood, emphasizing its texture and texture. The hardened varnish layer has the appearance of a horn-like film, which is elastic and at the same time non-slip.
There are alkyd varnishes with high and low concentrations of white spirit. Varnishes with low diluent concentrations are less toxic. The varnish “sets fire”, enhances the natural color of the wood, and emphasizes the texture of the fibers.
The positive properties of alkyd varnishes include the fact that they do not have adhesive properties. If, while applying varnish, it flows into the gap between the parquet planks, these planks will not stick to each other.
Alkyd varnishes are used mainly when there is no point in interfering with the natural process of changing the geometry of individual parquet planks in a room due to strong vibration loads, temperature changes and air humidity: when covering plank floors, end parquet, parquet laid on a heating screed (in underfloor heating systems ), “floating” floors, parquet made of “nervous” rocks that quickly respond to changes in air humidity in the room, floors in gyms, etc.
The disadvantages of alkyd and urethane-alkyd varnishes include their special sensitivity to drying conditions at elevated air temperatures (during central heating, lack of ventilation) and the treated surface (due to heating by sunlight, in underfloor heating systems, in the absence of curtains on the windows). Here you may encounter a significant slowdown in the drying process of the varnish. At the same time, a supply of fresh air must be provided, since oxygen is needed to cure the varnish. It is necessary to strictly ensure that one layer of varnish is not applied in quantities exceeding 120 g/m2. m. When applying excessively thick layers, a wrinkled surface may form. The wear resistance of oil-based varnishes is considered worse than that of water-based, water-free and acid-based polyurethane varnishes.
According to the degree of gloss, varnishes are matte, silky-matte, semi-matte, glossy.
Waterless polyurethane varnishes
These varnishes are characterized by exceptionally high adhesive properties to wood. At the same time, the varnish film becomes viscoelastic and has increased resistance to chemicals. Due to these chemical characteristics, polyurethane varnishes are used in areas subject to particularly heavy loads associated with intensive movement on the floor and chemical influences, such as drinks, cleaning agents.
There are one-component and two-component polyurethane varnishes, known as PUR and DD varnishes. These varnishes are divided into those containing and not containing aromatic compounds. They have different bases: acrylic, urethane, solvent-based.
First, like all varnishes, they dry physically, that is, due to the evaporation of the solvent. After this, chemical hardening begins, which occurs in the form of a polyaddition reaction. In this reaction, different molecules having reactive groups enter into a chemical bond with each other. In the case of polyurethane varnishes, the main component has a reactive OH group, and the hardening component has an AMCO group. As a result of the polyaddition reaction, chain molecules appear in the polyurethane composition, structured with cross-links, which leads to the formation of a macromolecule.
At the time of coating and at the curing stage, the varnish film must be protected from contact with moisture; before starting work, it is necessary to check that the moisture content of the wood does not exceed 10-12%. If the hardener reacts with water, CO2 appears as a by-product, which, released in gaseous form, causes the formation of air bubbles in the film, bubbly foaming of the varnish layer, which leads to coating defects.
Depending on the base, a proprietary thinner is included with the waterless varnish. As a rule, these varnishes do not require primers, and the first layer of varnish does not raise wood fibers. Varnishes are not as capricious to the microclimate of the room as water-based and alkyd ones; they can preserve the natural color of the wood or “set fire” to the surface. They have excellent elasticity, good light and heat resistance, they can be applied to coatings exposed to water and other external environments (furniture for bathrooms and kitchens, garden furniture, table tops, stairs, railings, interior doors. They strongly glue the side plank joints.
Acid curing varnishes
The most resistant group are acid-curing varnishes, or varnishes based on formaldehyde resins (SN-varnishes). They are recommended for use where special requirements are placed on the strength of coatings.
Acid-curing varnishes come in one- and two-component types. The latter are mixed with the hardener in a ratio of 10:1. The hardener contains an acid, such as hydrochloric acid, or organic acids. Immediately after mixing the varnish and hardener, the catalytic reaction begins. The hardener is needed as a catalyst that initiates the start of the reaction. After applying a layer of varnish, the solvent begins to evaporate from the resulting film. The binder molecules react with each other and, breaking down, release formaldehyde as a condensation product. Hence the name of the reaction - polycondensation reaction.
The technical advantages of acid-curing varnishes are their high adhesive properties and low sensitivity to temperature changes and indoor air humidity. These varnishes are unpretentious to tools: rollers, spatula, brushes, swabs, spray guns. Due to the use of urea and formaldehyde resins in the varnish, the wood is painted in light, natural tones. The varnish does not require a primer. Strongly glues the side joints of the planks.
Alcohols are always used as a solvent for these varnishes, for example standard (potato alcohol). You need to work with acid varnish in a well-ventilated area. At the time of its application, it is necessary to ensure that there are no people in the adjacent room who are not protected by respirators, since severe irritation of the mucous membranes is possible.
There is a misconception that formaldehyde released from acid-curing varnish remains in the room for a long time. In fact, the remaining solvent evaporates within three days when ventilated.
Primer varnishes
Deciding whether or not to use a primer is a very important decision. The use of primer varnish is necessary in the following cases:
- - to avoid water residue getting on the surface of the plank, which raises the wood fibers;
- - to achieve the desired color tone of the wood surface, to prevent “burning” the plank;
- - for isolating residues of special primers, oil impregnations and wax mastics;
- - to improve the adhesion of parquet varnishes to the flooring surface;
- - for the purpose of isolating natural oils of exotic wood species;
- - to reduce the adhesive effect of parquet varnish in the side joints of the planks.
If the primer varnish layer is not applied in such cases, then when applying the main varnish layer, adhesion may be disrupted and the varnish film may rupture at the joints of the planks. Before applying primer varnishes, it is necessary to check whether they are compatible with the base varnish and the parquet floor. The possibility of using soil for heavily worn areas of the floor should be checked experimentally each time.
A solution of nitrocellulose or polyvinyl chloride can be used as a base for primer varnishes. Under the water-based varnish, apply a water-based primer, the binders of which are compatible. Due to their thixotropic properties, primer varnishes make it possible to limit the penetration of parquet varnishes into the thickness of the wood. This allows you to reduce the consumption of parquet varnishes per square meter of area. Drying of primer varnishes occurs mainly physically, due to the evaporation of the solvent. The duration of drying to the state of technological curing is significantly less than that of parquet varnish, and ranges from 15-20 minutes to 1-3 hours.
In addition to primers, there are glazing compounds (impregnating varnishes, stains). They are colorless and colored and are designed to protect parquet and other wooden surfaces from biological damage (rotting, mold, etc.) and atmospheric influences (temperature changes, humidity). Colorless primers allow you to preserve the natural color of wood for a long time, and are also used to lighten colored compounds and pre-impregnate wooden surfaces before applying parquet varnish.
Professional parquet varnishes may or may not require primers. The need to use primers depends on many factors, which the parquet floorer must take into account. In the product data sheet, many varnish manufacturers indicate the types of primers that are compatible with their varnishes.
It is advisable to use primer and varnish from the same manufacturer. This is due to different degrees of cleaning of varnishes. Thus, the use of a domestic primer under Swedish or German varnish can lead to a deterioration in the transparency of the coating as a whole, which will affect the final perception of the varnish layer.
The primer must be applied to a well-cleaned surface, evenly distributed along the fibers. It is not recommended to apply primer varnishes to floor surfaces covered with parquet varnish.
Used to impart aesthetic and protective properties to surfaces. They are solutions of synthetic or natural resins in special solvents, which can be ethanol, acetone, drying oil, water, etc. In this article we will look at how to choose varnish for floors, furniture, facades and other surfaces.
Which varnish is best to use for wood?
Before choosing a varnish for a wooden floor or other surfaces, it is worth studying the advantages and disadvantages of different types of varnish.
- Water-based varnishes are absolutely safe for human health, do not cause respiratory diseases, are odorless, dry quickly, but are easily susceptible to destructive external influences.
- Alkyd varnishes are produced on the basis of glyphthalic and pentaphthalic resins. Resistant to pollution, aggressive chemical environments, as well as abrasion and deformation. After application they dry quickly and have a smell.
- Bituminous varnishes help protect wooden products from rotting processes and the formation of microorganisms; they are also used for hydro- and electrical insulation of metals. Dries quickly and has a smell. Disadvantages include low resistance to temperature changes and UV radiation.
- Polyurethane-based varnishes can be used on various surfaces. They are environmentally friendly, odorless, and dry quickly.
- The basis for oil varnishes is natural oil or drying oil. Advantages: environmentally friendly, odorless, moisture resistant. Disadvantages: takes a long time to dry, darkens some time after application.
How to choose wood varnish for interior work
Varnishes for indoor use are distinguished by their hardness and durability of the coating, which protects against possible mechanical damage. They are absolutely safe for human health, odorless, and clearly reveal the texture of the wood.
Such varnishes are used to cover furniture, wooden or parquet floors, and interior details. For interior work, varnishes based on acrylic, alkyd, oil, alkyd-urea, nitrocellulose, and polyurethane bases are suitable.
How to choose wood varnish for outdoor use
Varnishes for external work form an elastic film that can withstand adverse atmospheric phenomena: temperature changes, UV radiation, aggressive acids and alkalis. Varnish is used to cover wooden benches, terrace boards, house facades, garden furniture, etc. Alkyd-urethane, alkyd, and polyurethane varnishes are suitable for this.
Which varnish is best for the floor
- One-component varnish is preferable for floor coverings with low or medium surface load. Its advantages include ease of use and more affordable cost.
- Two-component varnish is more resistant to mechanical and physical-chemical influences, and therefore can be used for floors with high traffic.
How to choose varnish for parquet
Floor coverings require varnishes with increased resistance to deformation. Before purchasing, you should take into account the expected load on the room, for example, wear-resistant polyurethane products would be ideal for the kitchen or hallway, and alkyd or water-based varnishes can be used in the bedroom or living room.
Which varnish is better for parquet: alkyd or water-based
Alkyd varnish is more wear-resistant, but when dry it releases substances that are harmful to health. In children's rooms or bedrooms, it is recommended to use environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic water-based varnishes.
Before choosing a varnish for a floor made of pine, oak or other wood, it is important to pay attention to the level of gloss of the paint and varnish. Depending on the brightness of the light reflected from the surface, the following types are distinguished:
- high gloss;
- glossy;
- semi-gloss;
- semi-matte;
- matte.
Which varnish to choose for furniture
Furniture varnishes should not only give an aesthetic shine to the product, but also protect it from external influences. It is important that they are fireproof, resistant to moisture, abrasion, and scratches. For painting furniture, the most popular varnishes are polyurethane and acrylic based. They are easy to apply and completely environmentally friendly. To give an aging effect, bitumen varnishes are used.
Varnish for stone and concrete
Varnish for stone and concrete provides reliable protection of building structures from weathering, pollution and destruction. For these purposes, polyurethane, bitumen and alkyd varnishes are most preferred. To emphasize the decorative properties of the stone, acrylic varnish is used.
Deck varnish
The so-called deck or yacht varnish is made on a polyurethane-alkyd base. It is especially resistant to the destructive influence of salt and fresh water, wind, ultraviolet rays, therefore it is used for painting river and sea vessels, as well as window frames, facades, and doors.
Varnishes are used to protect wood products and give them various effects. There are a large number of varieties of this material, differing in technical characteristics and areas of application. We will tell you in this article how to choose the right substance for wood processing.
What is varnish and where is it used?
Varnish is a viscous liquid that is applied to the surface of a wooden product and covers it with a thin film. It hardens over time. This substance contains resins and various polymers, which are usually dissolved in special solvents.
Looking at the catalog of the best varnishes, it can be noted that thanks to them the following problems are solved:
- the appearance of the wood is preserved and emphasis is placed on its texture;
- surfaces are decorated;
- the tree is protected from putrefactive processes and damage;
- help improve thermal insulation.
This material can be used for internal and external work. Its properties and scope of application depend on the structure. If you need to create a solid base, then it is advisable to buy an alkyd-urea variety; to protect against moisture, buy an alkyd substance, and to cover surfaces subject to heavy loads, buy an oil one.
There are 5 categories based on the degree of gloss, as can be seen from the photo of wood varnish:
- regular matte gives less than 10% gloss;
- semi-matte 10-15%;
- semi-gloss 40-50%;
- glossy 80-90%;
- super glossy over 90% gloss.
Varieties by area of application
You need to choose the material depending on the area of use. After all, different surfaces and operating conditions require different technological qualities.
For interior work
By covering wooden structures indoors with liquid, you not only provide them with decorative properties, but also protect them from external influences. There are special substances for parquet and furniture, as well as universal materials.
The floor covering must be reliably protected, because it is under constant load. At the same time, you can choose the effect you prefer by purchasing glossy or matte wood varnish.
You also need to select the composition for different rooms. After all, in the bedroom the load on the parquet will be less than in the hallway or living room. Therefore, in the second case, higher quality material with additional protection will be required.
Experts also recommend selecting parquet coatings based on the degree of transparency, consistency and method of application. Parameters such as resistance to ultraviolet radiation and stress are also important. Among the substances used for flooring, primer, water-soluble, polyurethane, alkyd, and formaldehyde types are popular.
To protect furniture, high-quality and expensive analogues are used. They must maintain the natural appearance of wood. Therefore, the polyurethane type of material is most often used. It is also permissible to use oil, alkyd, acrylic and alcohol compounds.
It is important that the coating does not retain odor and that the film hardens quickly. Therefore, quick-drying wood varnish when processing furniture can be indispensable when carrying out urgent work.
External use
To protect structures located outside the home, a more durable coating is required. Therefore, the selected material must guarantee resistance to external weather factors and mechanical damage. They cover facades, gazebos, decking, fences, log houses, etc.
A variation of this group can be alkyd-based yacht varnish for wood. It is harmful and is used only for processing wooden ships, but not for interior work. Safer is the yacht look based on urethane-alkyd.
Types by composition
A wide variety of liquids for finishing wooden surfaces are on sale. Their specificity is the presence of certain substances in the structure.
Oily
This type of paint and varnish is widely used in interior finishing work, but is not suitable for flooring. Contains oil and resin. Fatty and medium-fat mixtures perfectly cover the surface, protecting it. But materials with a fat content of less than 50% serve only the role of decorative finishing.
Increasing the amount of resin speeds up the hardening process, but this reduces strength. The color of the substance varies from yellowish to brown. Drying time 24-72 hours.
Alkyd
High-quality coatings that dry within 48 hours are used in interior and exterior work and provide a very durable coating on different types of wood. The composition is moisture-resistant, resistant to ultraviolet radiation, temperature changes and moisture. Used for treating floors and furniture. Thanks to additives, drying speed can be increased.
Acrylic
This is the safest type of paintwork. Water-based acrylic varnish for wood is odorless and highly fire-resistant. The resulting film is not sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, but is exposed to moisture.
Nitrovarnishes
Such mixtures are weakly resistant to ultraviolet liquids, the use of which is limited to internal work. Can be used for processing different types of wood. Penetrate into the product and create a strong protective film.
An important advantage is the drying speed - only a few hours. The composition contains toxic solvents, so work is carried out only in a respirator.
Polyurethane
They may have a two-component structure of a base and a hardener or additionally contain a solvent. They are characterized by increased adhesion, but have a pungent odor and harden within 15-20 days. The hard film protects surfaces from moisture, corrosion and chemical components. Therefore, varnish is used to treat yachts and ships, gazebos, and parquet.
Polyester
They are distinguished by their multicomponent nature; the resin of the same name is used as a base. It is applied to the surface with a special gun.
As a result, a durable transparent film is formed on the processed parts, which is particularly durable, moisture-resistant, and resistant to elevated temperatures and chemical reagents. It is used to coat objects that require a glossy effect, such as musical instruments.
Epoxy
These are moisture-resistant, impact-resistant paintwork materials, having a two-component composition based on epoxy resin. They cover flooring, doors, and solid floors. For example, epoxy varnish for tikkurila wood is popular.
When processing wood when carrying out interior or exterior work, you should use high-quality paints and varnishes. They must be selected depending on the type of structure, operating conditions and the expected external visual effect.
Photo of wood varnish
There are many. When deciding which wood varnish is best to choose, take into account the purpose of the materials being processed and the conditions in which they will be used.
Alkyd varnishes
Wood varnishes with alkyd compounds are used for treating wood indoors and outdoors. In terms of durability, this type of varnish is one of the best. The wood coating is hard and reliably protects the wood from moisture. The varnish is resistant to ultraviolet rays. There are also minor drawbacks: the varnish takes a long time to dry, at least three days. Additional additives in alkyd varnishes can reduce drying time to up to a day.
Another type of alkyd varnish is products with urethane group additives. Such varnishes dry much faster - up to 12 hours, while the strength characteristics of the coating itself increase significantly.
Oil varnishes
Oil-based varnishes are also often used for indoor wood finishing. Such products are presented in several shades: from pale yellow to intense brown. The final appearance of the finished product will depend on the chosen shade of varnish.
The composition of this type of varnish varies in terms of fat content. Fatty and medium-fat varnishes apply easily and well to the surface and, in addition to the decorative effect, serve as protection for the surface. Varnishes with a low fat content, up to 55%, are used exclusively for the aesthetic treatment of wood.
Water-based acrylic varnishes
Choosing acrylic varnish for wood is for environmentally friendly people. The material is safe from this point of view, it is odorless, and gives the treated wood fire-resistant properties. These varnishes are used for finishing interiors and exteriors. They retain the texture of the wood, but do not give off a yellowish tint like other types of varnishes. Usually, stores offer a whole line of varnishes that have varying degrees of gloss. These products are not recommended for rooms with high traffic and constant, let alone high, humidity. Ultraviolet rays do not have a significant effect on the varnish. Acrylic varnish takes a long time to dry; it takes about 2 weeks for the film to completely form.
Nitrovarnishes
This type of varnish is used for different types of wood, but mainly for indoor work, since there is no resistance to ultraviolet rays. Nitrovarnishes are also not used in damp rooms. In other cases, they are good because they quickly penetrate the wood, provide reliable protection and dry very quickly, within just a couple of hours. It is necessary to apply nitrovarnish in a respirator, since it contains solvents that have a high degree of toxicity.
Polyurethane varnishes
Very often, varnishes with a polyurethane composition are used for exterior finishing. The most famous type of this varnish is yacht varnish. It is resistant to moisture, wear-resistant, and can withstand high traffic. The surface of wood after coating with polyurethane varnish is usually glossy. This product is also often used to treat furniture, floor coverings, and even small interior items.
Even if you entrust the laying of parquet and its varnishing to a specialist, you should not leave everything to chance. You have the final say on how and what varnish to choose for the parquet. This choice is not so easy to make - in addition to the variety of manufacturers, there is a wide variety of compositions themselves.
Which varnish for parquet is better - subtleties of choice
When choosing a composition, you will probably want to get the best varnish for parquet at a convenient price. However, do not rush to believe advertising or a cheap price tag - you should choose a parquet coating taking into account many factors. So, with the help of transparent varnish you can emphasize the natural color of the wood, and the use of colored compounds will allow you to give the parquet an even tone.
The degree of gloss also entirely depends on the composition: glossy and semi-gloss will create the effect of wet parquet, and silky-matte, semi-matte and matte compositions will give the parquet a discreet shine of a solid coating.
However, in the question: “What is the best varnish to coat parquet?” the appearance of the future coating should be considered as a secondary factor. At first, all your attention should be paid to the protective characteristics of the composition. They, in turn, depend on the chemical composition. There are primer varnishes, alkyd and urethane-alkyd, water-based and acid-curing, polyurethane compositions and compositions based on formaldehyde resins.
Primer varnishes help solve many small problems, and if you look at them, they are needed in almost every case. So, the soil practically does not glue the floorboards together, and does not allow the finishing composition to do so. And this will greatly facilitate parquet repairs in the future - when dismantling the floorboards, you will not encounter any resistance, and this will make your nerves calm and the floorboards in order.
In addition, the soil isolates the natural oils in the wood. Some types of wood are so rich in this “good” that the use of varnish becomes almost impossible - it will peel off very quickly from an oily surface, not to mention the fact that it will take much longer to dry. The primer also allows you to obtain the most even shade of wood and significantly reduces the consumption of the finishing layer, since the composition is much less absorbed into the pores.
So there is no need to consider primer varnishes as an additional expense item - you will save the same money when purchasing a composition for the finishing layer.
However, before purchasing, make sure that the compositions are completely compatible, for example, a water-based varnish is applied to a water-based primer. Combining the compositions contrary to the instructions is fraught with damage to the entire surface - in order to correct the mistake, you will have to be completely damaged by such a combination...
The use of a primer does not significantly affect the duration of the work - they dry on average in about half an hour. As usual, when combining several compositions, it is recommended to use varnish and primer from the same manufacturer - this will allow you to get the maximum decorative effect.
Which varnish to choose for parquet – safety or durability?
Alas, manufacturers have not yet managed to create a composition that would combine such qualities as maximum strength and safety for health. When choosing, consumers have to sacrifice something - if they need safe compounds, they sacrifice strength, and vice versa.
The safest varnishes are water-based. They will please you with the best price. The composition contains tiny particles of solvent, emulsifiers and water. The solvent content ranges from zero to 15%. All water-based varnishes have excellent adhesion to wood surfaces and dry quickly. It should be noted that these compounds are very fluid, so they easily penetrate between the planks and glue them together. A water-based primer will help prevent this problem.
The disadvantages of aqueous formulations do not end there. Low wear resistance is their main problem. Higher strength can only be achieved through special additives, which cost additional funds and are very demanding on the application conditions - their use is possible only at air humidity of at least 50%. In addition, aqueous compositions are demanding on application tools - sponges, brushes and spatulas should be excluded from the shopping list. But leave the roller with medium pile. But the water base allows you to use the varnish even in a room where strangers are. In addition, they are not flammable, so their use is relevant in rooms with high fire safety requirements.
Waterless polyurethane varnishes should be used in rooms with a high degree of traffic, since their durability is high. Their smell is quite unpleasant, but manufacturers often resort to a little trick by adding flavorings that change the nature of the smell from “very nasty” to “tolerably nasty”.
Waterless varnish dries faster than water-based compositions, since hardening occurs immediately after the solvents evaporate. It is very important during application of the composition to protect the varnish membrane from any, even the slightest contact with water. This contact also means increased wood moisture content (the norm is 7-8%). If the norm is exceeded, bubbles may form on the surface, which are unlikely to decorate the overall picture. The advantage of waterless varnishes is the possibility of applying them without primers. They are elastic and can withstand changes in indoor microclimate without problems. It is recommended to cover parquet indoors without strangers. In general, this option is optimal for public spaces.
How to choose varnish for parquet - be careful with your choice
You should be extremely careful when choosing alkyd varnishes. Their main component is alkyd resin, extracted mainly from natural raw materials. Although the product penetrates deep into the structure of the wood, it will not give it wear resistance. We can say that alkyd varnishes do not have wear resistance as such. They are quite suitable for covering furniture, but as a protective layer for parquet they are inferior to everything, even water-based compounds.
The concentration of oils is adjusted using solvents, mainly white spirit. And its unpleasant smell is known to everyone who has ever dealt with paint. Therefore, if you choose a varnish, it should be with a smaller proportion of solvents.
The advantages of alkyd varnish are that it does not glue the floorboards together and favorably emphasizes the structure of the wood, and it tolerates changes in humidity and temperature well. This composition should be applied carefully so that the layer does not become too thick, otherwise waves similar to wrinkles will appear on the surface.
Undesirable varnishes for parquet include acid-curing varnishes, which contain formaldehyde resins. It is unlikely that the mention of this dangerous component will leave you alone - the danger of formaldehyde to human health has been widely discussed on television for a long time, doctors warn about this.
However, you should be objective - the danger of inhaling formaldehyde resins arises only at the application stage, so before choosing this varnish for parquet, consider safety issues. When dry, the coating becomes completely harmless. And what is important, the strength and wear resistance of such compounds makes you forget even about the presence of a dangerous component. These are the most durable varnishes that are easy to apply with any tool and can be used without prior priming. They have excellent resistance to temperature changes. When applying them, you should work in a respirator and with open windows.
parquet oil. Oil-based impregnations have a completely different mechanism for protecting wood, which you can read about in detail on our website. This option is especially suitable in cases where it is necessary to maintain the parquet in perfect condition - with oil you can repair individual, worn areas, while varnishes have to be applied to the entire parquet at once.