Wood as a building material has a number of advantages, but it is very vulnerable to the influence of negative external factors: sunlight, rodents, insects, moisture and decay.
To improve the strength and durability of wooden structures, they are treated with special compounds - impregnations, which are designed to protect the surface layer of wood from various adverse effects.
How important is impregnation for wood?
To make sure once and for all of the need to protect wood that is under the constant influence of an aggressive external environment, you just need to compare photographs of identical structures - processed with a special composition and remaining in their original form.
Classification of impregnations for wood
By the main substance
Water based impregnation
They are considered the most versatile. The principle of operation is the creation of a protective layer due to the deep penetration of the impregnation into the wood. Surface application can be done with the following tools: brush, roller, spray gun, vacuum chamber. They can have various functional purposes: fire retardant, antiseptic, moisture-repellent, decorative.
Benefits:
- The possibility of using both indoors and on the facade of structures
- Wet wood processing capability
- Fast drying
- Odorless
- Safety and environmental friendliness
- Ease of application of the composition
Disadvantages:
- Impossibility of processing dry wood due to its swelling
- Short duration of action
Acrylic impregnation
They are used at all stages of construction - both for protecting untreated wood and for finishing in order to give the surface the desired color or texture. Impregnation can be applied with a brush or spray gun.
Benefits:
- Possibility of application both for processing the facade of wooden houses, and for interior finishing of floors, ceilings and walls
- Reliable protection against fungus, insects, moisture and decay
- Lack of toxic substances in the composition
- Preserving the natural texture of wood
- Water repellent properties
- Low price
The disadvantages include the inability to use at low temperatures
Solvent based impregnations
They serve to protect wood from various destructive factors: mold, mildew, decay, discoloration and surface texture. They significantly extend the service life of wooden structures. Surface treatment is done with a brush or roller.
By destination
The scope of possible application depends on the substances that make up the impregnation. For example, toxic, bitumen-based fluids with a pungent odor or biocide content should not be used indoors. So, according to their functional purpose, impregnation for wood is divided into:
Antiseptic
Protects wood from the effects of negative biological factors: fungus, mold, wood pests (grinder beetles, bark beetles, woodworms) and insects. Prevents the appearance of rot.
Wooden flooring makes any room stylish and cozy. This coating is easy to use and allows you to create a unique design. Despite the variegated variety of materials for flooring, wood continues to be in the first place. It has a large list of advantages and only one disadvantage - the need for regular maintenance. Proper processing of wooden floors will help to preserve the touching beauty.
Careful processing of the wooden floor will protect the array from the negative effects of external influences, as well as from pests. To choose the appropriate type of coating, it is necessary to study all the proposals of the building materials market, analyze the feasibility of using each. It is advisable to heed the advice of experts and make the right choice.
To protect the wooden floor from damage and destruction, you can use:
- oil paint;
- oil;
- wax.
Before covering a new or refurbished floor with one of the products, you can treat the surface with wood stain, a liquid that has wood-protective properties. It is necessary to check that nails and other fasteners are sunk into the array by a few millimeters. These cavities must be covered with a putty designed for woodworking. Only after these manipulations can you start coating.
Oil paint was once the most common, but not the best material. It provides a fairly durable coating, successfully protects the array from destruction, but hides the magnificent natural texture of the tree. To preserve the charm of the material, it is worth treating the wood floor with another means.
Varnish variety
Today, varnish is the most popular product for treating wooden surfaces. It effectively protects the array from destruction and preserves its structure, emphasizing the original appearance.
For interior work with wood, you can use one of the following types of varnish:
- Water soluble. This varnish compares favorably with the absence of a pungent odor and environmental friendliness. It dries quickly and provides good adhesion. But when using it, you need to remember that every 2-3 years it is necessary to renew the coating, use only special rollers for application and be sure to maintain the humidity in the room at 50%.
- Alkyd. This type of varnish has excellent durability and maintains the integrity of the coating even in areas of active exposure. But it dries long enough. In addition, it is important to ensure that the consumption of the product does not exceed the norms specified by the manufacturer, otherwise the coating will peel off.
- Anhydrous polyurethane. The material has excellent wear resistance, it can be used in rooms with high mechanical stress, for example, in a living room, hallway or even a cafe. But care must be taken during work, if the moisture level of the wood mass exceeds 10%, unpresentable bubbles will appear on the surface of the lacquer coating.
- Acid curing varnish (formaldehyde). This tool will provide a reliable coating that is resistant to mechanical and temperature influences. But when working with it, it is necessary to take precautions, work only in a respirator or entrust this stage of processing to professionals.
Regardless of what type of varnish will be chosen, it is imperative to study all the features of working with the material. This will avoid unpleasant surprises.
Oil impregnation
Oil impregnation of wood will preserve the color and texture of the coating.
Oil protection of wood floors is a very popular treatment method. Thanks to this coating, the wood mass will retain its color and relief as much as possible, which will emphasize the environmental friendliness of the material.
The flooring oil does not create a film on the surface of the board, it saturates it, providing additional protection. The floor will not be glossy, as is the case with varnish, but the durability and natural look will surely please. It is possible to coat the wood floor with oil even in high traffic areas, for example, in a corridor.
It must be remembered that the oil coating emphasizes the relief and imperfections of the board. If there are numerous flaws on the wood floor, it is better to pay attention to a different type of coating.
Oil coating of any surface should be in full compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Otherwise, the color will be uneven. It is important to quickly remove excess funds, as in places where the oily substance accumulates, the tree will darken. Such an environmentally friendly coating will have to be renewed 2 times a year.
Difficulties with the operation of an oil-impregnated floor may arise in the early years. The surface will quickly become dirty. Later, after a few years, when the oil is completely absorbed, the problem will disappear.
The indisputable advantages of such coverage include quick and easy updating. To restore the site, it is enough to grind it and soak it again with oil. Once absorbed, it will be indistinguishable from the rest of the array.
Sanding with wax
Sanding the floor with wax will protect the wood and give it the required gloss.
Waxing wood floors is ideal for lovers of glossy surfaces. This material will provide protection to the array and give it the necessary gloss. Floor polishing wax is a natural material based on beeswax. It can be used as a stand alone coating or in tandem with oil.
You can wax it yourself. To do this, it is enough to distribute the product over the floor surface, let it dry and polish thoroughly. You will have to repeat the manipulations 1-2 times a year.
Colored waxes are also presented on the market of building and finishing materials. With their help, you can slightly change the shade of the tree or give it a completely new color. The color intensity will depend on the number of layers of the product. Such a coating needs additional protection, it will be provided by an additional layer of colorless wax. Care should be taken when working with colored coatings, uneven application or insufficient polishing will lead to streaks.
It is also possible to preserve the structure and color of the solid wood as much as possible, providing reliable protection. To do this, you should pay attention to the Scandinavian way of processing wooden floors. The prepared coating is regularly washed using a large amount of laundry soap. The alkaline solution is gradually absorbed into the solid and provides protection. At the same time, the appearance of the floor does not change.
Whatever type of wood floor treatment you choose, it is important to remember that this magnificent natural material is most afraid of moisture. Careful handling and timely disposal of spilled liquids will ensure long service life. And a warm floor - both visually and tactilely - will create comfort in the house for many years.
Wood is one of the most popular and ancient building materials. She has a number of positive qualities that allow her to be used even today.
Moreover, if a modern floor impregnation is used during installation, then the finished surface receives additional properties that significantly expand the scope of this material.
Types of primer and impregnation
First of all, it should be noted that there are a number of different tools for wood processing, which differ in their qualities and are intended for a certain type of work. That is why, before soaking the floor logs or other structural elements, you should familiarize yourself with the types of material and choose the most suitable one.
Moisture protection
- To begin with, it should be noted that all impregnations have the property of penetrating to a certain depth into the material. At the same time, they fill all the channels through which liquid can penetrate, and after drying they clog them.
- The deeper the impregnation fills the pores in the wood, the more it will be protected from moisture. Also, this property will significantly increase the life of the finished product.
- Given this effect, many craftsmen, when choosing what to impregnate plywood for the floor, prefer to focus on deep-penetrating components.
Advice!
When purchasing these materials, you should check that they are intended for specific surfaces.
This is very important because the mixture contains special ingredients that work best with a specific substance.
Antibacterial compounds
- Quite often, floor impregnations contain special components that can fight various kinds of bacteria.
- They prevent the appearance of mold and mildew, and can also protect the wood from the effects of various kinds of insects.
- Such compositions should be used when covering surfaces that are located in damp or damp rooms, as well as those elements that are in the open air.
Advice!
Professional craftsmen prefer to use just such materials for floors, since these surfaces have close contact with water during cleaning and are often exposed to moisture.
Refractory compounds
- Such impregnations for floors are considered the most popular when working with wood.
- They have the unique qualities of endowing the material with special properties, thanks to which it can resist fire.
- It should be noted that such compositions for floors are used very rarely. However, if the room has a fireplace or stove, then it is recommended to use this material for processing the topcoat.
Whitening or darkening
- There are impregnations for wood that affect its fiber structure and color.
- They are most often used for decorative purposes, giving the floor surface a certain appearance. However, these impregnations also protect against moisture and may contain antibacterial agents.
- Currently, there are many varieties of such mixtures. They differ in a range of shades and allow imitation of expensive wood species on plain pine or other type of wooden floor covering of an apartment or house.
- It is worth noting that the price of such compositions can be quite high, but the result obtained fully justifies such costs.
Advice!
To select such materials, it is necessary to focus on samples that must be in the store.
They can reflect the real color of the composition and its effect on the structure of the tree.
Application
- First of all, it is necessary to pre-treat the surface. There should be no protruding fibers or roughness on it.
- For wood processing, the installation instructions recommend the use of special or sandpaper with different fractions of abrasive.
- Then, dust is removed from the surface with a damp cloth.
- At the next stage, impregnation is applied to the wood. You can do this yourself using a soft roller or brush.
- If it is necessary to apply several coats, an interval of 4 hours should be maintained between coats.
Advice!
When it is necessary to process not the finished floor, but wooden elements before assembly, then professionals recommend adding a little colored material to the impregnation.
The fact is that most of all such compositions are colorless and it is very difficult to determine where the treated surface is and where not.
Conclusion
In the video presented in this article, you will find additional information on this topic. Also, based on the text presented above, it can be concluded that there are a fairly large number of different materials intended for impregnation of wood floors. Moreover, they all have their own unique properties, which must be selected taking into account the field of application.
Despite the intensive development of building technologies and the emergence of a large number of modern materials, the tree does not lose popularity. Numerous advantages such as durability, reliability, beautiful appearance, and a wide range of options do not leave the slightest chance for competitors. But in order to make the most of the opportunities laid down by Mother Nature, you need to think about protection. That is why the question of how to cover a wooden floor worries many owners of eco-friendly housing.
How to choose a protective agent?
Means for covering a wooden floor are able to protect against the effects of chemical liquids, moisture, premature abrasion, mechanical damage. In addition, this is a sure way to give the interior a finished, perfect look and add the final touch, without which even an impeccably performed joint work of builders and designers seems incomplete.
The range of coatings is quite wide, but not all of them are suitable for one or another type of wood flooring. When choosing, you must take into account some points:
- wood species;
- admissibility of preliminary preparation;
- expected operating conditions (humidity, intensity of mechanical impact, antistatic);
- the possibility of secondary processing;
- compatibility of the new coating with the old one, if any.
The choice also depends on the purpose of the room. In an apartment, unlike in an office, the load is not so great, so you can use wax or oil. This is the best way to bring out the natural character of wood and give the floor a nice matte finish.
If it is assumed that the wooden floor will experience significant loads or high humidity, it is better to cover it with varnish, which will not only reliably protect, but also give a delightful shine and volume.
Wood flooring materials
In appearance, protective materials are divided into:
- transparent coatings. This category includes impregnations and varnishes containing substances that emphasize the natural structure of wood;
- opaque coatings. These are organic-based paints (alkyd, oil, polyurethane, acrylic, perchlorovinyl) and water-dispersion mixtures. Polyurethane and acrylic paints are especially valuable for their ease of application and high quality. Alkyd varnishes and paints are good due to their low water resistance and resistance;
Depending on the main component, materials for final processing are of 2 types:
- with fire retardants that protect wood from fire. They do not at all affect the beauty of the massif and reduce the risk of fire;
It is important!
Flame retardant impregnations are especially recommended for industrial and public floors.
- with biocides that protect wood from mold, fungus, insects.
Which one to prefer?
There are two staining methods.
1. Surface painting, used in cases where the preservation of the aesthetics and appearance of the tree is extremely important. This type of protection and decor is used everywhere, at the final stage of finishing the floor in timber houses, baths and other wooden buildings.
2. Deep staining is possible only in industrial conditions, because for its implementation, special baths and autoclaves are needed, in which a solution is injected under high pressure into wood capillaries, filling the entire free volume.
Oil impregnation
Wood floor oil is made from natural substances (linseed, sunflower, soybean oil) or artificial components, with the addition of, for example, polyurethane. The oil penetrates deeply into the thickness of the coating, only a thin layer remains on the surface. As a result of the procedure, the floor becomes firm and gets a silky shine.
It is important!
When choosing oil, pay attention to the label: avoid products labeled “contains solvents”.
Oil solutions are of different viscosities:
- thick (contain 90% natural oil);
- medium viscosity (dry residue is 40-50%);
- liquid (dry residue 20-40%).
Professionals strongly advise to apply oil in areas of high traffic (living room and corridor). They can be used without fear in unheated rooms, in open areas, on beams constantly in contact with water (bath, pool).
Oiled floors are easy to freshen up: just add a special cleaner to the water when cleaning. The floor must be sanded, cleaned and dried before application.
Varnishing
The use of varnish creates the effect of volume and contrast of the wood pattern. The varnished floor is shiny and beautifully decorates the room. The varnish composition protects against moisture and mechanical damage.
It is important!
Despite the protective functions of the varnish, the coating is quite elastic, which, if damaged, will move along with its fibers. Therefore, it is better to walk in soft shoes on the varnished wooden floor.
What varnishes are there?
The following types of varnishes are distinguished:
- solvent-based wood floor varnish impregnates wood well and changes its color It should be applied in a thin layer in a well-ventilated area to prevent wrinkles and ensure fast curing. This varnish is ideal for "capricious" wood - ash, maple, beech.
- alkyd varnish is colorless, resistant and durable. The only negative is that it dries for a long time.
- reactive varnish has high adhesion properties and forms an elastic film that does not affect the structure and initial appearance. It will take at least 10 days to form a strong film.
- polyurethane-based varnish is used for valuable wood species. Such compounds are durable, resistant to abrasion and chemical attack.
According to the degree of gloss, varnishes are high-gloss, glossy, semi-gloss, matte and semi-matte. The gloss degree of glossy varnish is 90%, which makes the wood floor look like a mirror, matte and semi-gloss varnishes reflect a small amount of light from the surface.
Floor painting
The paint can increase the service life of the floor several times, as well as protect the tree from biological factors (fungi, bacteria, mold). The paint can be applied to previously painted surfaces that have been pretreated with an antiseptic.
The safest paints are water-based. They do not contain organic solvents, are water-resistant, adhere easily to the surface and do not lose their original color.
Moisture-resistant acrylic paints are recommended for the kitchen and bathroom, while alkyd solutions are suitable for parquet.
Before painting, the floor must be cleaned of dirt, sanded and dried.
It is worth mentioning another means for protecting the floor - applying a composition based on wax and linseed oil. True, this method cannot guarantee impeccable resistance to various factors, therefore, today it is practically not used.
The modern building materials market provides a huge number of products for covering wooden floors. Do not forget when choosing to take into account the characteristics of wood, the nature of the environment and the purpose of the room. Properly selected materials will make any floor luxurious and elegant, a real interior decoration.
In order for the wooden floor to serve for a long time, it must be covered with a protective agent. A floor made of natural wood is an advantage of any apartment. It is he who makes the interior cozy, stylish and rich. But, unfortunately, natural material is influenced by environmental factors. The appearance and performance of wood can be adversely affected by open sunlight, changes in temperature conditions, and increased humidity in the room. To protect the wooden floor from rapid wear, repair and replacement, to preserve the original appearance of the coating, you need to take care of its protection. How and how to treat a wooden floor, read below.
The choice of composition: how to treat wooden floors in the house
The best way to protect the coating from decay, abrasion, burnout, insects and drying out is to coat it with a special compound. Today the market of materials for wood processing offers mixtures that can not only reliably protect wood from any damage, but also emphasize its decorative qualities. The choice of the composition depends on each specific case.
Composition for processing wood flooring can be bought at any hardware store
For the treatment of floors inside the house, you should choose gentle formulations with biocides safe for humans and pets.
When buying a product for protecting a wooden floor, carefully study the label and composition.
Pay attention to the expiration date of the product. If it is tens of years, then, most likely, you have a substance for outdoor work in front of you. Such products contain aggressive biocides that are hazardous to human health. Branded products often place a hotline number on the label, where you can get answers to all your questions. Do not hesitate to call, because not only the "life" of your wooden floor depends on it, but also the health of all the inhabitants of the house.
Varnishes for wooden floors: how and what to cover the floor
The most common wood preservative is varnish. Floor varnishes not only protect the surface from moisture, dirt, insects and the sun, but also give it a shine and emphasize the natural color of the wood.
You should choose a wood varnish that does not contain harmful substances
There are several types of varnishes that have different characteristics:
- Water-soluble varnishes. Such varnishes dry quickly, do not have an unpleasant odor and adhere well to the substrate. Depending on the type of water-borne varnish (one- or two-phase), it can last from 3 to 10 years without re-coating the floor.
- Alkyd. Such varnishes are ideal for "moving" floors, heated parquet floors, but dry for a long time. In addition, the technology for applying such varnishes has many nuances. The service life of such varnishes is 2-3 years.
- Anhydrous polyurethane varnishes. Such products have a high level of wear resistance, resistant to chemicals and high humidity. This varnish dries faster than water-soluble. To cover the floor with polyurethane varnish, the moisture content of the wood should be no more than 8%. Otherwise, the varnish may bubble. Such a protective coating lasts for 2-3 years.
- Acid-curing varnishes. Such varnishes have the highest performance characteristics: they guarantee a reliable coating that is not afraid of chemical and mechanical damage, moisture. It is easy to apply such varnish, it is not picky about tools. However, processing should take place in a ventilated area and work with a respirator mask.
Pine wood floor oil: product features
Oil is a good option for covering a wooden floor: it dries quickly and allows for local repairs (in order to re-treat the floor, you do not need to take out furniture or sand). In addition, the oil is an absolutely safe, ecological product (this is important for allergy sufferers and families with children). But, judging by user reviews, it has little lower performance than varnish.
It is strictly forbidden to coat a wooden floor that has been stained with oil: oil does not form an insulating film and any coloring object will leave a colored print on the floor.
Thanks to the oil, it is possible to improve the aesthetic and operational properties of a pine wood floor
However, for some breeds, oil is the only option. So, covering a pine board floor with varnish can lead to the fact that after a short use, the floor will crack: hard varnish does not fit well with soft wood and can easily damage the floorboard. Therefore, oil is the ideal choice for covering soft pine floors.
When oiling a pine floor, remember that due to the resin in the wood, the impregnation will take longer to dry than non-other conifers.
Builders advise to choose oil with wax in the composition for coating pine wood floors in the house. Such a product penetrates well into the pores of the tree, making it stronger. In addition, the wax oil enhances the texture of the wood well: after application, the floor looks natural and attractive.
Floor protection wax: how to cover the wooden floor in the house
Wax is the traditional way of protecting wood from moisture. A modern wood floor wax treatment made from beeswax, inorganic additives and oils. The main advantage of wax is its availability and environmental friendliness. In addition, the wax is suitable for covering absolutely all types of wood. It can be both colored and colorless, glossy and matte. This makes it possible to restore the original color of the old wood flooring and highlight the new floor.
A thin layer of wax is sufficient to protect the floor.
In order to treat a wood floor with wax you need:
- Clean the cover. Old varnish is removed with a solvent or scraping. You can apply the product over the oil.
- Sand and degrease the surface for better adhesion of wood and wax. You can additionally treat the surface with a primer for wood, and sand the layer after drying.
- Apply wax with a cloth swab in a circular motion, as if rubbing it into the floor.
- Wait until the layer is dry and, if necessary, re-coat the floor.
- Polish the floor with a felt cloth after the wax has dried.
The drying process of the wax can be accelerated by choosing a product with polymerization accelerators. A desiccant can be added to the finished wax mixture.
How to evenly coat the floor with oil (video)
Due to its environmental friendliness and attractive appearance, wood is increasingly used for finishing both indoor and outdoor premises. Preserving the wood flooring is the primary task of anyone who is lucky enough to have a parquet, board, laminate floor at home. And if earlier the floor could only be painted, today specialized products that are easily applied with your own hands can help protect the coating. Choose a composition depending on your financial capabilities, the type of wood and the environment, and enjoy a beautiful wooden floor for more than a dozen years!