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Water-soluble floor varnish. Which varnish to choose for parquet. Oil-based alkyd varnishes

Parquet flooring is not only practical, but also beautiful. This natural flooring is a good quality item that will last for many years, bringing comfort and coziness to the room. But, no matter what unique properties parquet has, over time it becomes dirty, wears out, and becomes vulnerable to moisture, insects, and external influences.

How to restore the protective functions of the coating? It is not advisable to use paint for these purposes, because it will hide all the beauty of the texture of the material, but varnish will come in handy. Which varnish to choose for parquet and how to apply it correctly – read this article.

Types of varnishes for parquet: which one to choose

How to restore old shabby coating? Of course, cover it with varnish. But how to choose a varnish for parquet if the range of these compounds on the construction market is huge. Parquet varnishes are distinguished based on several criteria:

  • technological parameters (viscosity, volatility, application method);
  • chemical composition (primer, water-soluble, resin-based, acid-curing);
  • appearance (transparent and tinted);
  • effect (matte, glossy, semi-matte, semi-gloss);
  • resistance to environmental influences.

To ensure better adhesion of the finishing coating to the wooden surface, a primer varnish is used. This composition helps to obtain an even shade, prevents the dies from sticking together, isolates the natural oils that exotic wood produces, and reduces the consumption of finishing varnish.

Attention: Before applying the primer, make sure it is compatible with the topcoat and the type of parquet used, otherwise stains will appear on the parquet that can only be removed by sanding.

Application of primer composition, photo

Water-soluble varnish

Its main component is water, which mixes at high speed with an emulsifier and binders, forming a homogeneous mass. Water-based varnish for parquet is the safest, it is odorless, does not contain harmful substances, and does not cause allergies. Due to the almost complete absence of solvents, this varnish does not burn. However, water-soluble compositions are less resistant to external influences, temperature changes, and, due to the lack of volatile substances in the composition, dry more slowly.

Attention: To prevent the varnish from getting between the planks and spoiling the parquet pattern, the floor surface is treated with a primer before applying it.

Application of water-soluble mixture

Anhydrous formulations

This group includes polyurethane parquet varnish. It creates a durable protective layer and is suitable for frequently used areas. It is made from acrylic, solvents or urethane and contains aromatic compounds that sometimes give it a pungent odor. There are one- and two-component parquet varnish. The advantages of these compositions include the fact that they do not require prior application of primer, dry quickly, and create an elastic coating that is resistant to moisture.

Important: During application and drying of the polyurethane composition, the moisture content of the wood being treated should be no more than 7-8%, otherwise bubbles will appear on the surface.

Waterless acrylic varnish is ideal for areas subject to high loads

There are compositions that are made on the basis of alkyd resins of natural origin. Thanks to this, they are able to penetrate deeply into the wood. They can be used in rooms with slight changes in temperature, humidity, and irregular loads. These compositions emphasize the beauty of wood and do not glue the dies together.

But, due to the presence of natural components in the varnish, the polymerization process is difficult (for the varnish to crystallize, it takes 12 hours at a humidity of 50% and a temperature of 20 degrees).

If you need a quick-drying varnish for parquet, choose a urethane-alkyd composition.

Acid-curing varnishes are made on the basis of formaldehyde resins. They provide good adhesion to wood, so the mixture is easy to apply without prior priming, and creates a coating that is resistant to changes in moisture and temperature. Epoxy varnish has disadvantages: a strong odor, dissolves other paints, and also glues parquet strips together.

On a note: do not worry that these compositions contain formaldehydes; they quickly evaporate when the coating dries.

If you need a wear-resistant varnish for parquet, then a formaldehyde composition is what you need

Having familiarized yourself with all the characteristics of finishing coatings, it is very difficult to decide which varnish is best for parquet. Its selection is made based on the purpose of the room. It is necessary to take into account the load on the parquet: for a frequently visited room, it is better to choose a coating with increased wear resistance and low maintenance.

For each room, the varnish compositions will be different: for example, a formaldehyde composition is suitable for high-use areas, the kitchen and the corridor, a safe water-soluble composition is suitable for the bedroom, and an alkyd composition is quite sufficient for the living room.

Advice: As a finishing coating for the floor of a non-residential premises, you can use special water-repellent compounds - oil, wax mastic. They need to be updated periodically, which will ensure the safety of the parquet for many years.

Do-it-yourself parquet varnish technology

Finishing wooden flooring is a responsible task, but after familiarizing yourself with the technology, you can varnish the parquet yourself. Where to begin?

Preparatory work

Before varnishing the parquet, it should be thoroughly cleaned and sanded. The floor surface must be dry and clean.

Grinding eliminates unevenness and defects of dies

Depending on what varnish you plan to cover the parquet with, a primer composition may be used. It will level the surface of the wood and hide small cracks.

Applying a final protective coating

How to varnish parquet correctly? For this purpose, there is a special technology for coating parquet with varnish. The composition should be applied as recommended by the manufacturer. Opening the surface with varnish can be done in several ways: from manual (using a brush, roller) to mechanical spraying.

When applying parquet chemicals with a brush, you should choose a wide tool, it will be more convenient for them to work. The movements are performed in a U-shape. This is how you can overlap adjacent areas, creating a layer of the required thickness. With each brush stroke, you should capture part of the previous stroke.

Advice: When using a two-component composition, the brush should be periodically washed with solvent to remove any remaining solvent. If you are covering the floor with a one-component varnish, do not leave the container with it open for a long time.

Painting dies with a brush

If you plan to apply glossy or matte varnish to the parquet with a roller, the movements must be performed in a cross pattern. By making a transverse movement, you apply the composition to the floor surface, and with a longitudinal movement, you level it. Reduce the speed of movements near walls.

Advice: Before work, the roller should be rolled out.

An example of how to paint parquet with a roller

The varnish is applied in 3-5 layers, depending on the manufacturer's recommendations. Before the final coat, it is recommended to do a surface sanding of the coating.

Attention: The consumption of varnish for resin-based parquet should be no more than 120 g/m. sq. – a layer that is too thick can wrinkle, which will ruin the appearance of the flooring.

Effects

In addition to the usual colorless varnish for parquet, to give the flooring a darker shade, tinting of the coating can be used. There is also a colored water-soluble varnish that will make the interior of the room more modern and original.

Tinting agents add nobility and individuality to the flooring

Care

In order for parquet in the interior of a room to last as long as possible, it should be protected from negative environmental influences. This protection is provided by varnishing the flooring. Modern varnishes not only create a protective membrane, but also provide care for parquet and give it various decorative effects.

Installation of solid or piece parquet, laying parquet boards on screed or plywood usually ends with the application of a surface coating that will protect the wood from exposure to water, sand, and dirt. Parquet varnish will help extend the life of any wooden floor product. Which one to choose from the variety of products presented in construction markets?

Varnish multicomponent compositions are a finishing coating for wood, which after polymerization forms a hard film that is resistant to impact and mechanical loads. The composition contains a base (modified oil or polymer resins), a solvent (water, white spirit, NC and other aliphatic compounds), pigments, various additives that accelerate drying, increase or decrease thixotropy, etc.

Let us immediately note that not every varnish can be considered parquet. For example, furniture compounds are not abrasion resistant, so applying them to the floor is not a good idea. The same can be said about primer mixtures. Unlike finishing coatings, they are not characterized by sufficient wear resistance, have a more liquid consistency and a high degree of absorption into the wood.

So, here is a wide range of products called “parquet varnish”. There are a number of parameters that determine the suitability of varnish compositions in certain conditions. Let's look at the main ones:

Application area

According to the European regulation C 2354 “Transparent coatings for wooden floors and varnishes made from them, minimum requirements and tests” of 01.03.2009, three classes of application are distinguished:

  1. A – moderate use of the surface, rare walking loads in outdoor shoes (living rooms and guest rooms, kitchens, bedrooms). Approximately corresponds to classes 23 and 31 (in the classification of wear resistance of linoleum and laminate);
  2. B – frequent foot traffic, walking in street shoes (hallways, corridors, educational institutions, offices). This category is equivalent to 32-33 wear resistance classes;
  3. C – intensive use (restaurants, shops, health care, commercial and public premises). According to the load classification of linoleum and laminate, it corresponds to classes 33, 41-43.


The C 2354 standard does not contain a definition of the permissible degree of load on furniture wheels (tables, office chairs). The reason is that roller resistance largely depends on the type and type of wood.

For gyms, bowling alleys, and rooms with special requirements, as a rule, special varnishes with an extreme degree of wear resistance are used. For example, the Petri series has an alkyd composition with a high level of anti-slip SPAR GYM, which can withstand maximum loads and is absolutely inert to frequent wet cleaning. The same applies to polyurethane water dispersion Berger Aqua-Seal 2KPU Sport, Pallmann Pall-X Sport and others.

Wood type compatibility

Almost all varnishes work well on ordinary parquet flooring made of oak, beech, maple, etc. But for cork, oily (teak, wenge, lapacho), resinous (pine, cedar, larch) and exotic (afrormozia, jacaranda, mutania) varieties, an appropriate composition is required. Its main feature is excellent adhesion to the base without the formation of bubbles, streaks and other defects.

Exotic parquet flooring.

As a rule, the label indicates the types of wood to which the varnish can be applied. If the instructions do not contain such information, it means that this product is allowed to be used only on standard parquet made from species that are unpretentious to the coating.

Performance characteristics

Here you need to pay attention to:

Acceptable types of parquet flooring

When choosing a varnish, keep in mind that a product intended for block parquet and solid boards cannot always be used on an artistic surface, especially if it is formed from several species. What matters here is:

  • degree of lateral gluing of dies;
  • elasticity of varnish.

The more capricious the wood, the lower the first indicator should be, and the higher the second.

Composition of the mixture

Available:

  1. Alkyd (oil) and urethane-alkyd;
  2. Acrylic;
  3. Polyurethane and polyurethane-acrylate;

Let's look at them in more detail.

Alkyd and urethane-alkyd varnishes

Varnishes based on alkyd resins.

Alkyd is a synthetic resin obtained by the reaction of glycerin and phthalic acid. For the production of varnish compositions, pentaphthalic and glypthal polymers are used, as well as solvents and some additives. Drying oil, aliphatic (hydrocarbon) compounds, fatty acids or vegetable oils are used as solvents.

Since alkyd-containing varnishes have a long drying time, the composition contains driers (drying accelerators), pigments and other components that improve the degree of coverage, fillability, and hardness. The resulting mixture is used for varnishing parquet, wall panels or lining, stairs, doors and other wood products.

To improve wear resistance and drying speed, another polymer is added - a carbamic acid ester known as urethane. The resulting urethane-alkyd varnish dries faster and is characterized by increased abrasion, chemical and water resistance.

pros urethane-alkyd and alkyd varnish:

  • Forms a durable waterproof coating;
  • Partially penetrates into the wood structure due to the content of modified oils;
  • Has good adhesion to various types of wood;
  • Characterized by low lateral bonding of dies. It is because of this property that alkyd varnishes are better suited than others for parquet and plank floors under conditions of serious temperature and humidity changes and vibration loads. It is recommended to use it on parquet boards laid “floating” or in combination with a floor heating system;
  • Coloring (tinting) is allowed;
  • Can be applied with any type of painting tool;

Acceptable price. Russian products from Neomid and Tex will cost from 140 rubles per liter. For comparison: varnishes from Tikkurila or AN (Dulux, Marshal, Sadolin series) cost from 300 rubles per liter.

It is advisable to use a varnish coating in combination with a primer from the same manufacturer. Or you can prepare the primer yourself: add 15-20% solvent (white spirit, nefras), mix thoroughly and apply to the wood.

Minuses:

  • Increased requirements for drying conditions. It is not recommended to use the composition near operating heating devices or in direct sunlight. Drafts should not be allowed, as this leads to the formation of bubbles and swelling of the coating;
  • When applied in a thick layer, “shagreen skin” is formed, which is almost impossible to smooth out. You will have to remove the coating completely and revarnish it.
  • Increased health hazard. Alkyd mixtures have a strong unpleasant odor with carcinogenic properties. Inhaling it in large quantities is dangerous, so goggles and a respirator are required when working.

Acrylic varnishes

Aqueous one-component dispersions based on methacrylate synthetic resins are called acrylic. Designed for indoor work on all types of wooden products: multi-layer parquet, solid wood, furniture, etc. It is a milky-white semi-liquid mass. The smell is weak, disappears quickly, and after drying it forms an absolutely transparent film.

IN benefits coatings:

  • Health-safe composition without synthetic solvents. It is best used in rooms intended for children, as well as people suffering from diseases such as allergies, asthma, etc.;
  • High degree of spreadability;
  • Increased wear and water resistance compared to alkyd compounds;
  • Good adhesion to wood;
  • Fire safety;
  • Resistance to yellowing;
  • Short drying time - up to 3 hours for touching. It takes no more than 5 days to dry completely.
  • Moderate price - from 200 rubles/liter

From shortcomings note:

  1. Application with a roller or brush with synthetic bristles, as well as a spray gun is allowed;
  2. Average level of lateral gluing of planks;
  3. A whole series of “do’s and don’ts” rules. In particular:
  • the combination of water-based varnishes with solvent-based products is not allowed,
  • It is not recommended to coat wood that has been chemically treated or mechanically pressed with acrylic compounds;
  • It is necessary to varnish parquet made of oily and resinous rocks immediately after sanding;
  • Before use, mix the mixture thoroughly and apply no more than 2 layers in one working day.

Household acrylic varnishes are produced mainly by Russian factories (TEKS, VGT, etc.). Foreign manufacturers produce this type of product labeled “for parquet,” most often to order, in industrial packaging.

Polyurethane and polyurethane-acrylate compounds

For rooms with a high degree of foot traffic, it is better to use varnish based on one of the strongest polymers - polyurethane, often used in combination with acrylic resin.

They produce one- and two-component:

  • water dispersions (Bona Traffic, Tikkurilla Parketti-Assa, Belinka Parketin);
  • waterless PUR and DD varnishes, complete with our own solvents (Adler PUR-Antiscratch HQ, Petri Diamond Hard, Bona PCG D-5).

Water-borne formulations are characterized by a low content of volatile substances and a fast drying speed - up to 6 hours for intermediate drying. In addition to this, in benefits:

  • The highest degree of resistance to wear, abrasion, scratches, impacts, and chemically aggressive compounds;
  • Increased level of surface anti-slip;
  • Safe for humans;
  • Can be applied with any tool except a brush with natural bristles;
  • Long service life - at least 20 years.

Waterless, acid-curing and solvent-based varnishes do not require prior priming of the surface and do not raise fluff. Therefore, intermediate sanding is not necessary. They are distinguished by good elasticity, light, water and heat resistance.

Minuses PU products:

  • High price - from 470 rub./liter;
  • Strong gluing of the side ends of the dies. Therefore, these compounds cannot be used on wood with a high coefficient of change in linear parameters (Canadian maple, pink beech).

Let's summarize: for household needs you can use any parquet varnish, taking into account the level of load. If funds allow, it is better to opt for the most wear-resistant polyurethane-acrylate composition. A more economical option is urethane-alkyd; at home it will last well for at least 10 years.

Advice! If you need repairmen, there is a very convenient service for selecting them. Just send in the form below a detailed description of the work to be done and you will receive offers with prices from construction teams and firms by mail. You can see reviews of each of them and photos with examples of work. It's FREE and there's no obligation.

Parquet is a common floor covering. Real parquet costs a lot of money. But the material itself requires careful care, since without it the tree can become unusable within a year. That is why parquet should be coated with varnish, which will protect the material from damage and moisture. Parquet varnish remains the most common coating method. Choosing a good varnish is not so easy, given the rich assortment presented by modern manufacturers.

If the apartment owner decides to treat the parquet with his own hands, then he will have to choose the varnish coating for the parquet. Of course, it is better to entrust the work of varnishing the parquet to a professional who installs the parquet board. It is he who will be able to determine the varnish consumption per 1 m2 and decide which varnish is best to coat the wooden surface.

One of the most important criteria for choosing a varnish is the functional purpose of the room and the possible load on the coating.

Parquet varnish varies according to the type of load. If no more than three people live in the room, then a varnish that can withstand minimal load is suitable. When choosing a varnish, it is also important to consider in which room it will be used. For example, the kitchen and corridor are rooms with increased levels of pollution. To cover the parquet in these rooms, it is necessary to use a varnish that is resistant to dirt and moisture.

Varnish parameters:

  • Technological. They can be fluid, viscous, and vary in application method.
  • Chemical. They can be primer, alkyd, urethane-alkyd, acid-curing, polyurethane, formaldehyde.
  • According to external parameters. They can be transparent, coloring, glossy, semi-gloss, matte, semi-matte, silky matte.

Varnishes can quite successfully cope with exposure to direct sunlight and external irritants. High-quality materials have a long service life. When purchasing, it is important to pay attention to quality certificates from the manufacturer.

Varnishing parquet flooring: what are the compositions?

There are a great variety of varnishes for parquet. Before buying a varnish, you need to familiarize yourself with its purpose. In order to maximally protect the parquet from damage and extend its service life, you will need more than one composition.

Each polish has a specific purpose, which allows you to buy them all together or each separately.

It is necessary to cover the parquet with varnish, otherwise it will lose its appearance within six months or a year, which will be very unpleasant, since covering the floor with parquet costs considerable material costs. Types of varnishes have their own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.

Types of varnishes:

  1. Primer. Suitable for finishing. It helps the finish adhere better to the wood planks. Such compositions give the parquet an even and beautiful shade. Also, primer varnish can protect against accidental ingress of water. Varnish allows you to save the amount of finishing.
  2. Water-soluble varnish. Perfectly combines affordable price and acceptable quality. Varnish makes the coating as durable, reliable and hard as possible. They are not very durable. They need to be applied with special application agents.
  3. Anhydrous or polyurethane. They can be one-component or two-component. The varnish dries quickly. The surface does not need to be primed before applying them. Varnishes are resistant to changes in temperature and humidity levels.
  4. Oil based (alkyd). The varnish is made on the basis of alkyd resins. They penetrate deeply into the wood structure, protecting it from the inside. Varnish gives the parquet a beautiful appearance. The composition must be applied correctly, otherwise painting the parquet may be unsuccessful.

Formaldehyde varnishes adhere perfectly to parquet. Acid varnish can withstand sudden changes in air humidity and temperature. They are easy to apply using any painting tools.

Quick-drying, odorless parquet varnish

Water-based varnishes dry fastest. It works in this way: after application to the surface, water first evaporates, then the solvents, and then the components that bind them. Thanks to the film formed, the surface dries quickly enough.

Water-based polyurethane varnish is considered the highest quality and most reliable.

Although this is a water-soluble varnish, it is distinguished by the durability and reliability of the coating, unlike its “predecessors”. If the composition of water-based varnish does not include polyurethane, they are considered short-lived, as they are easily damaged by mechanical and chemical action. The advantage of polyurethane-based varnish is the almost complete absence of odor.

Advantages of varnish:

  • Has no smell.
  • Dries quickly.
  • Does not ignite.
  • Does not contain toxic substances.

Varnish can be applied even if there are people in the apartment. When properly applied and dried, the varnish will last for many years. Compositions can be one-component or two-component.

Polyurethane parquet varnish

Modern manufacturers provide a large selection of varnishes for parquet floors. Water-based varnishes are considered the safest and most reliable. Of course, they, like all compounds, have their advantages and disadvantages.

The most practical and durable varnish of all water-based varnishes is polyurethane. It creates a durable foam that protects the product from damage.

The protective film that forms after applying varnish to the parquet does not in any way affect the change in the color of the wood and its patterns. This varnish does not damage the wood in any way or destroy its structure. Varnish with polyurethane has virtually no odor, which allows it to be used even indoors with people.

Features of varnish with polyurethane:

  • Does not contain toxic substances;
  • Safe for human health;
  • Dries quickly;
  • Easy to apply;
  • It lasts a long time.

Polyurethane varnishes do not cause allergies or headaches. The varnish dries quickly and gives the parquet a beautiful shine. This is a very reliable coating that is not afraid of changes in humidity levels, temperature conditions, and is also not afraid of fire.

How many layers of varnish should be applied to parquet?

Parquet varnishing is carried out immediately after sanding and sanding. Varnish gives the parquet a finished look and at the same time protects the wooden covering from damage. The technology for applying varnish is different and depends on the type of varnish applied.

It is important to remember that the more layers, the greater the likelihood that the coating will last for many years and will not lose its appearance.

Depending on the varnish chosen, the floor surface will have a different shine. When purchasing, it is important to pay attention to whether the varnish is transparent or gives the wood a certain color. The varnish can be glossy or varnish. If the wood has defects, then glossy varnish will only enhance them.

Tips for layering:

  • It is best to cover the parquet with three to seven layers of varnish.
  • Each layer strengthens the surface, making it more durable.
  • Depth and volume will appear only after applying the required number of layers.
  • It is better to apply layers on a carefully prepared surface.
  • The coating must be even.

When purchasing a varnish, it is important to read the instructions for its use. They vary depending on the composition. You can apply the varnish using different painting tools: sponge, roller, etc. The ease of applying varnish largely depends on its type. Some varnishes are very finicky and cannot be applied with the first available tool. In addition, movements during application are important: they must be careful.

Types of varnish for parquet (video)

If you have parquet in your home, you cannot do without varnish for it. It is important to choose high quality varnish so that the coating is reliable, durable and hard. A good varnish hardens quickly, has no pungent odor, and is safe for human health. It also gives the surface a beautiful appearance. One of the well-known and reliable coatings is the Turkish Marshal varnish. Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of varnish products, thanks to which the parquet will last for many years. Of course, a lot depends on careful handling of the floor covering.

Parquet is valued not only for its aesthetic beauty, but also for its environmental friendliness, practicality and durability. This coating is in favor with people who receive aesthetic pleasure from natural, high-quality things that create unique comfort and coziness. However, like all flooring, parquet tends to get dirty.

To protect and protect it from the harmful effects of dirt and dust, it is necessary to create a protective coating. It is not advisable to use paint for these purposes. It will hide all the beauty of natural material. Parquet varnish will help protect the coating from contamination and preserve the wood texture. You just need to make the right choice and follow the technology when applying the composition to the coating. We will talk about how to do this.

Types of varnishes for parquet

Many people think when buying parquet varnish how to choose the right composition so as not to spoil the coating. It is important not only to choose a quality product, but also to use it skillfully. It is difficult to say which varnish for parquet is better, it all depends on the purpose of the room. From the wide variety of products offered, three categories of varnishes can be distinguished:

  • water soluble;
  • anhydrous, produced on the basis of oil resins;
  • acid-curing.

Type #1 - water-soluble varnish

The base of water-soluble varnish is water. It contains virtually no solvents. It is environmentally friendly and safe. Since this parquet varnish is odorless, it can be used in rooms for children and allergy sufferers. It is non-toxic and non-flammable. However, water-soluble varnishes are less durable and are susceptible to low temperatures. When the composition gets between the parquet planks, it glues them together, so it is recommended to use a primer before applying such varnishes.

Type #2 - anhydrous option

Waterless varnishes include solvent-based alkyd resins. They are extracted from wood or linseed oil, which promotes deep penetration of the composition into the structure of the tree. Alkyd varnish can be used in rooms with changes in humidity, temperature and vibration loads.

It is also good for parquet made from “finicky” wood species. But alkyd varnish is more sensitive to drying conditions. To harden, it requires an influx of fresh air and a stable temperature. In addition, the consumption of parquet varnish per layer should not exceed 120 grams per 1 m². Excessively thick coating may wrinkle.

Another representative of waterless varnishes is polyurethane. Due to its wear resistance, it is successfully used in areas with heavy use. And also with the possibility of chemical exposure. Polyurethane varnish must be protected from water during the drying process. Subsequently, it is less susceptible to moisture and temperature changes.

Type #3 - acid-curing varnish

Acid-curing varnishes are considered the most durable of similar coatings. They are used in rooms with increased surface load. Since this is a two-component parquet varnish, before use it is mixed with a hardener (10 to 1) containing an acid. Therefore, the time of use of such a composition is limited to 8 hours.

Since the varnish emits harmful fumes during application, it is recommended to use personal protective equipment. And the room in which work is carried out must be well ventilated.

Parquet varnish technology

Well, now let's actually move on to the process itself. It is advisable that the air temperature in the room during work be in the range of 12-25 degrees. It is at this temperature that the varnish adheres and dries well.

Preparatory work

Before you coat the parquet with varnish, it must be prepared. A prerequisite for preparing the base for applying varnish is sanding. It must be carried out in the right direction. With a “deck” arrangement of parquet, sanding is carried out at an angle of 45º to the planks.

The planks arranged in a herringbone pattern are sanded along the pattern.

If the old parquet has defects, it must be puttied. It is not always possible to choose a composition that matches the color. Therefore, for putty, sawdust remaining after sanding is used, mixed with a nitrocellulose-based liquid. The grinding process lasts until the top tarnished layer is completely removed. Then the parquet is cleaned of debris and dust.

Upon completion of the preparatory work, the floor should have a natural “living” color. If the parquet is covered with wax, it must be removed with white alcohol before sanding. Otherwise it will contaminate the sanding tape.

Varnishing parquet floors

After careful preparation of the base, the parquet is directly painted with varnish. It can be applied with a roller, brush, or spray gun. To apply the composition with a spray gun, the varnish is diluted with white alcohol. Dilution up to 10% of the varnish volume is allowed.

After the first layer has dried, the parquet is treated with a sander and fine-grained paper. Clean the surface and apply a second layer. Applying from 3 to 5 layers is allowed. The average varnish consumption is 0.8-1 liters per m².

Caring for parquet after applying varnish

Even if you used a quick-drying varnish for parquet, it is advisable to protect the floors from excessive exposure at first. The service life of the renewed parquet depends on how carefully the varnish coating is handled in the first days. Do not immediately lay carpets on the floor. Wait a couple of weeks. To protect the parquet, stick felt pads on the furniture legs. Where possible, place rugs under interior items. It is advisable to treat the surface once a year with a composition to revive the varnish coating.

Video with an example of the work

If you are still thinking about what varnish to coat the parquet with, first of all decide on the purpose of the room and the possible load on the base. Anhydrous alkyd-polyurethane varnishes are wear-resistant, but require special conditions during drying. Acid-curing varnishes are durable, but contain harmful substances. Water-based ones are environmentally friendly, but less resistant to abrasion and temperature changes. Decide what is more priority for you.

At the final stage, it is imperative to cover it with a layer of varnish. But which varnish to choose, because nowadays it’s easy to get confused in the huge variety? We will help you choose a varnish, tell you about the advantages and disadvantages of each type. Let's try to figure out which parquet varnish is better in a given situation.

What is it for?

First of all, let's define what functions the paint coating performs. Firstly, this is a protective function. It should protect your parquet from all kinds of mechanical influences, it should also be resistant to sunlight (does not allow it to dry out), resistant to moisture, because if you pour a glass of water on a tree, after a while it will begin to rot.

Secondly, the function of parquet varnish is to give the wood an extraordinary shine and a certain shade. Thus, parquet varnish allows you to increase the life of the floor and emphasize the natural look, adding additional shades.

Varieties

There are five main types of varnish based on their chemical composition:

  1. Polyurethane.
  2. Water based.
  3. Oil based.
  4. Primers.
  5. Acid-curing.

In addition, varnishes can be divided according to external characteristics:

  1. Matte.
  2. Semi-matte.
  3. Glossy.
  4. Semi-gloss.
  5. Silky matte.

Let's consider each type of varnish separately according to its chemical composition, highlight the advantages/disadvantages and try to decide which varnish to choose for parquet.

Video review of parquet varnish

Polyurethane

The basis of such varnish is various chemicals - acrylic, urethane or solvents. If it was solvent-based, all solvents must evaporate from the floor surface before curing occurs. Among other things, aromatic substances are usually added to polyurethane ones. The varnish can be one-component (PUR) or two-component (DD).

This varnish does not contain water, it is perfect for those rooms where a large number of people constantly accumulate. If you compare polyurethane and water-based, the first dries much faster, since it does not require evaporation of water. During the process, make sure that even the wood does not have high humidity (no higher than 8%).

Advantages:

  • Resistant to sunlight.
  • Heat resistance.
  • Increased adhesion (stickiness).
  • Elasticity of the coating.
  • Acceptable price.
  • The parquet shines after application.
  • No primer required.
  • Suitable for any indoor microclimate.
  • During operation they are resistant to moisture.

Flaws:

  • If moisture gets on it before it dries, then there will be foam on top.
  • Can glue planks together.

Water based varnish

In another way they are called water-soluble. They contain emulsifiers, solvents, and water. It is because of this that this varnish dries slightly differently than others. After application, the water must first evaporate. The evaporation of water leads to an increase in the concentration of solvents, which eventually begin to evaporate, and at the same time trigger a chemical reaction of the binder. And only after this does curing occur.

Advantages:

  • Its smell is relatively neutral. It is there, but not in such quantities as others.
  • They have increased fire safety. Not flammable.
  • Even if drops of water get in, nothing will happen, since the varnish consists of a water base anyway.

Flaws:

  • It can get into the cracks between the tiles, which will lead to squeaking of the parquet while walking.
  • Minimal wear resistance. And if you buy water-soluble varnishes with special additives that increase this indicator, then you will need to achieve a room humidity of at least 50%. In winter, this is completely impossible to do.
  • Very demanding people who will have to varnish the floor surface. So, in most cases, only a roller is suitable, and even that will take hours to choose.
  • Not suitable for certain types of wood - beech, pine, hornbeam.
  • Short-lived.
  • Requires coating of parquet boards with a primer.

Oil based varnishes

Another name is alkyd. This type is made on the basis of resins of the same name. I would immediately like to note one significant advantage, which, due to a number of shortcomings, ceases to be such: the adhesive contains various wood and linen inclusions in its composition, which allows it to deeply saturate the parquet board. But if you find significant disadvantages, which we will discuss below, then this property will no longer seem like an advantage to you, because to remove a layer of paintwork you will have to remove several millimeters at once.


In addition to alkyd resins, the composition includes white spirit solvent. Depending on its concentration, they are divided into high-concentrated alkyd and low-concentrated alkyd.

Advantages:

  • Emphasize the natural beauty and structure of wood.
  • The varnish is absorbed into the wood, which means it will not flow into the cracks between the boards and stick them together.
  • Resistant to changes in temperature and humidity in the room, protects the parquet board from mechanical damage.

Flaws:

  • Drying with heated air is unacceptable. It will be necessary to ventilate the room and the doors, which means there is a high probability that the “aromas” will scatter throughout the apartment.
  • Although it absorbs quite well into the wood, do not overdo it with thickness, as wrinkles may appear on the surface after drying.
  • Minimal wear resistance - if you use alkyd varnishes, then only for covering furniture.
  • It takes a long time to dry, at least a day.
  • Drying requires oxygen, so rooms must be constantly ventilated.

Primer varnishes

Perhaps this type should have been highlighted in a separate column and not included in the general list. The fact is that primers are not the main coating of parquet, but at the same time they remain an integral part of it. Professional adhesives initially contain primer components, but if you bought a regular varnish, then you should first use a primer before applying it to the parquet. It increases adhesion between the base coat and the wood.

Other functional features of primer varnish include: it helps give parquet a uniform shade, reduces adhesive between board joints, isolates the natural oils of exotic wood, and isolates tiles with high humidity from the base coating to prevent the appearance of bubbles and foam.

When choosing a primer and base coat, it is best to buy solutions from the same company. Depending on the composition, the primer dries from 20 minutes to three hours maximum. In addition, using this reduces the cost of applying the basecoat, since the primer coat significantly reduces the absorption of the basecoat into the dies.

Acid-curing


In another way - formaldehyde, since they contain resins of the same name. The question immediately arises: “Is this varnish harmful to health due to the presence of harmful substances, formaldehyde?” Not a drop, since during the drying process all formaldehyde from the surface evaporates.

Advantages:

  • Has high adhesion to wood.
  • It is highly resistant to changes in room humidity and air temperature.
  • Can be applied with absolutely any tool (be it a brush or a roller).
  • No primer required.
  • Brightens the parquet board.

Flaws:

  • You will need a respirator and constant air ventilation due to the disgusting smell.
  • Glue the sides of the parquet dies.
  • The smell will disappear completely in about three days.

Conclusion

Thus, the varnish for parquet is chosen depending on many factors - the traffic flow of the room, the quality of the parquet board and the wood from which it is made. You already know how to choose a varnish for parquet, so you can safely head to the store. If you still have any questions, then ask them in the comments below. We'd love to hear from you about what kind of parquet flooring you use!