The product used to finish is Berger Seidle (or Gerber. The issue is so big that in some states, like Massachusetts, it is against the law to use it. Swedish is definitely the most durable and long-lasting option for finishing hardwood floors. There are people that prefer to leave the house during a Chicago floor refinishing project, while others would stay in and deal with the inconveniences. Many companies learned this litle secret and are using their warranty as an advertising tool, making promises they know they can't and will never keep. What is the appropriate amount of time for us to not be in the home (and our cats) because of toxic swedish finish fumes? This finish is usually done off-gasing within 3 days, and after 7 days, no noticeable off-gasing is detectable. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. They are terrible to apply and require approved respirators which were not provided when I was an employee. On top of it, the Swedish floor finish it normally dries very fast, which means it requires a fast application. It's not so bad that the Swedish finish smell is burning ours eyes or throat. Particularly for hardwood floors in high-traffic areas, a Swedish finish can keep floors looking fresh longer, extending the time until they need to be refinished. To me, this is the less dangerous to a home owner. I used those finishes a few times years ago when I was an employee. For anyone with cats, etc., see our post What is the appropriate amount of time for us to not be in the home (and our cats) because of toxic fumes (from Swedish finish)? polyurethane should be the choice to go for. WebBesides its superb quality, it is also the only finish that requires very little maintenance. 
While not impossible to apply on top of hardwood flooring stains, it is challenging to the inexperienced contractor. What is the appropriate amount of time for us to not be in the home (and our cats) because of toxic swedish finish, Loose or Creaking Boards & Tight or Popping Boards. However, Glitsa floor finish is highly popular in the Pacific Northwest region as well. Is that true that once the floor is completely cured it will not emit toxins any more? It is very tough finish but it is extremely nasty stuff to work with. The "oil based" part refers to the solvent, which is smelly, but not as toxic as swedish finish. Its a method that is widely used among floor refinishers. Q: Our landlord has applied L***** Swedish floor finish upstairs (we live in the basement). They're shiny with a yellow tint. They may not be quite as transparent as other finishes. 
Let me explain. Cost: $2 to $4 per square foot professionally applied. Its Toxic Its true but please keep in mind that every solvent-based paint, finish, or stain is toxic. Unlike polyurethane than turns yellow after a Staining the Wood Floor. Look, the polyurethane surface finish is good and most popular. I will be 66 on March 2, having finally closed my own business after more than 45 years in the trade, 25 of which I ran my own show. 
Water borne sounds very safe but contains some solvents that are really dangerous and can lead to nasty consequences for those who are sensitive, though these finishes dont smell bad. And with our customers, Swedish finish is used 4 to 1 over any other finish. I cant remember!) Everybody knows its strengths and very few discuss its weaknesses. We require that homeowners vacate their homes when Swedish finish is applied and it can take up to 3 weeks before rugs can be put back in place. Your email address will not be published. Its true but please keep in mind that every solvent-based paint, finish, or stain is toxic. Swedish finish is an alcohol-based varnish developed in the early 1950s in Scandinavia. In my ideal world theres something I can mop or rub in that will match the finish and restore the floor. The researchers tested air samples during application, in the hours after, and as long as seven days later. 
A darker stain was used for the upstairs bedrooms. You dont want to be in the house when Swedish finishes are drying. Not quite as hard as Swedish finish. We require that homeowners vacate their homes when Swedish finish is applied and it can take up to 3 weeks before rugs can be put back in place. The only fall back is that Swedish finish permits toxic fume during the coating process. The researchers tested air samples during application, in the hours after, and as long as seven days later. Will my cats nails scratch prefinished hardwood flooring? How easy is it for contractors to screw up the application of this stain and finish? 3. Some VOCs in hardwood floor refinishing products include benzene, formaldehyde, toulen, xylene and arsenic. The UL Study When UL conducted extensive research on wood floor finishes, researchers found that 80 percent of todays wood finishes emit some level of toxic VOCs. VOCs reduce air quality within your home and pose both short- and long-term health effects. E-floor epoxy finish. Ralph's Hardwood Floor Company, Inc.404 W. State Street (Hwy 54)Black Creek, WI 54106, Phone: 920 984 3383 Toll free: 800 354 9902 info@ralphshardwood.comShowroom Hours: Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat8-12. The researchers tested air samples during application, in the hours after, and as long as seven days later. There are a growing number of waterborne (water based) finishes available on the market including some like Glitsa Max, Bona Traffic, or Basic Coatings Streetshoe. Compared to the other finishing options, a Swedish finish provides better protection against scratches, scuffs, water damage, and stains. I assume they had to cut some of it into sections to get it up. To clean your Swedish finish hardwood, mix 1/2 to 1 cup of vinegar in a gallon of warm water. Particularly for hardwood floors in high-traffic areas, a Swedish finish can keep floors looking fresh longer, extending the time until they need to be refinished. The Swedish Finish is not highly flammable or combustible but proper caution should be exercised while using it just like you would do handling any chemical. They have their own line of stains, so the issue of compatibility or lack thereof, has been completely eliminated. When it comes to DIY projects, the Swedish finish is definitely not a good choice. One piece of advice though: do not ever apply three coats of finish in the same day. Use a fan if needed to move the contaminated air out and draw fresh air in. It never went away entirely after the 1/15 treatment. 
Doing so it will, very likely, have consequences later on. It may be a small amount, but when it is added to the same off-gassing from a Swedish finish it might cause a problem. What is the difference between our two choices "Swedish finish" and water-soluble? As a landscape builder, he helped establish two gardening companies. from Germany. Glitsa Swedish Finish is for professional use only because it needs to Federal law requires varnishes to contain less than 450 grams of VOCs per liter, with lacquers limited to 350 grams per liter. LEARN MORE. Heating Alternatives to Supplement an Oil Furnace, Beautiful houseplants that also repel mosquitoes, cockroaches and other pests. Is this a health hazard for my son? Q: I have a Swedishfinished hardwood floor. This finish must be handled properly while in its liquid form, but once dry is no longer harmful. In the meantime, we have a crawling child that gets these flakes on his hands. The lower the VOC content, the fewer chemicals the product contains that will off-gas into your home. We require that homeowners vacate their homes when Swedish finish is applied and it can take up to 3 weeks before rugs can be put back in place. Skokie, Swedish finish health risk: headaches, earaches and difficulty sleeping after Swedish finish was applied Q: My builders wonderful flooring company installed red oak hardwood floors on the whole main floor of our house and now I hear that Europe banned the Swedish finish used on our floors almost 20 years ago. It is also known as acid cured! Some VOCs in hardwood floor refinishing products include benzene, formaldehyde, toulen, xylene and arsenic. The U.S. Green Building Council ranks varnish and lacquer as the worst offenders in terms of VOC off-gassing. Still, before you rush into buying a bucket of polyurethane floor finish, understand that you will lose on quality and it will take longer to complete the project if you go that way. DC Hardwood Flooring has been using Glitsa Swedish for over 20 years and we have never harmed a person, plant, pet or structure. Glitsa Swedish Finish is for professional use only because it needs to be handled and applied professionally. Applying the swedish finish originally killed all our fish and required us to leave the house for a few days, so wed really like to avoid repeating all that if possible. The finish is not combustible or highly flammable, but caution should be exercised during its use, as with any chemical, even household paint. 3. Great wood floors are the result of quality materials, thoughtful design, and precise and careful installation. Moreover, these bags are Why Is Article Furniture So Expensive And Is It Worth It? WebSwedish finish is a two-coat procedure. Painting a room can become toxic if you do not allow proper ventilation. Acid cure floors, also known as a Swedish finish, is a highly dangerous and toxic method of sealing hardwood floors. He used an oil coat. We are very much aware of the challenges you might be facing when starting a project like this. The Swedish Finish is not highly flammable or combustible but proper caution should be exercised while using it just like you would do handling any chemical. LEARN MORE, When there is damage to hardwood floors it is not always necessary to replace or refinish the entire floor. The smell hung around for 5 days very intensely after the first treatment on 1/15. So, to make the long story short, pricewise, the Swedish wood floor finish sits "on the upper shelf". 
Its a generic name but its usually called the Glitsa floor finish. For DIY, water-based poly is really the only option. The big finishes out there are: Oil-based polyurethane. Most companies have product data sheets that can be downloaded indicating what hazardous chemicals may be used. Swedish finish health risk: headaches, earaches and difficulty sleeping after Swedish finish was applied, http://www.glitsa.com/documents/01march.pdf. Even long after these finishes have dried, however, smaller amounts of VOCs continue to off-gas into the home. Reducing VOC emissions from consumer products therefore plays an integral part in ARBs effort to reduce smog in California.. Unlike polyurethane than turns yellow after a while, the Swedish finish keeps its color and it preserves the natural look of hardwood floors way much better. I have no idea what the formulation is now but it sounds like it hasnt changed enough. 
About Us | Contact Us | Privacy Policy, Arlington Heights, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Deerfield, Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, I would be very interested to know what would happen if somebody entered the house with an instrument that could measure what was in the air. Is that a good idea to buff it and apply a coat or two water based finish? Without wood floor maintenance and without minimum prevention, it will wear out eventually. I would not be in the house while an acid cure is drying. We are looking into redoing them. Notice: VOC off-gassing is most acute during application and the drying of hardwood floor finishes. Could the fumes harm him? They will tell you that its perfect to preserve and enhance the beauty of their wood floors. LEARN MORE, Classic Hardwood Floors can refinish your old warn and dull hardwood floors to make them look flawless and immaculate again. The Swedish Finish is not highly flammable or combustible but proper caution should be exercised while using it just like you would do handling any chemical. Acid-cured (Swedish) Floor Finish We are exposed to toxins people didnt face before the industrial revolution. It works better than some but worse than others. Sometimes just a few boards are in need of replacement or refinishing. Park Ridge, For more details, click here and read about our warranty and why we believe it will give you piece of mind. Compared to the other finishing options, a Swedish finish provides better protection against scratches, scuffs, water damage, and stains. Still, you should never forget the fact that, while being much stronger than other type of finishes like polyurethane and water-base products, the Swedish finish it's, still, a floor finish too. Im in over my pay grade, but if it was me, I think Id be looking for a good doctor, and get on a high nutrition diet with supplements. Even to sand it off some years later it would till burn the eyes and cause gagging. WebSwedish finish floors have a durable epoxy coating that doesn't need wax or polish, but to maintain the shine, you do have to give the floor an occasional cleaning. I cant wait to have a party and show it to all my friends. Odor and Toxicity. Both will use 'swedish finish'. Obviously, you will have to be very careful about any cleaning products, finishes and food toxins you are exposed to. As an Amazon Associate, I Earn From Qualifying Purchases. Its not so bad that the Swedish finish smell is burning ours eyes or throat. If your landlord did this coating himself, I would advise him to leave this work to professionals. They are the toughest finishes I have ever worked with. It is nasty. In some cases staying is not even an option. You dont want to be in the house when Swedish finishes are drying. At Chicago Flooring Innovations we understand that investing in a flooring project represents a big commitment for our customers. Please click here to browse through them. Considering its increasing popularity in other parts of the U.S., I think its a good time to have a decent review on Glitsa floor finish. Kenilworth, I need to know if Swedish finish for hardwood floors is toxic; if theres a health risk. Using vinegar and water for this job avoids the steaks and spots that an ordinary detergent solution leaves behind. Niles, The downside of Swedish finish, however, is that it contains volatile solvents which are extremely flammable and have a very unpleasant odor. Consider this "money in the bank" for any issues that may come up after the project is finished. How to Restore Shine to Linoleum Flooring, How to Clean Wood Floors With Apple Cider Vinegar, How to Remove Scuffs From Terrazzo Tile Floors, 12 indoor plants you dont need a green thumb to keep alive, How to Clean Floors With Baking Soda, Vinegar and Soapy Water. I havent used an acid cure finish for years. Water-based polyurethane. The home was built in the 1890's. So here we go : water based finishes can be better or a whole lot worse than the standard 3 coats of Oil Modified Polyurethane. You want to deal with this problem for as short of a period as possible. We have a pet rabbit in our attached garage. Acid cure floors, also known as a Swedish finish, is a highly dangerous and toxic method of sealing hardwood floors. Swedish Finish is Unstable and Can Cause Fires or a House to Blow Up. 
I think its a good place to bust those myths for good: Probably the biggest myth so far. 
Swedish finish is simply a nice-sounding name for a conversion varnish, which cures by chemical reaction. CA Environmental Protection Agency Air Resources Board: Our Consumer Products Regulatory Program is an important part of ARBs overall effort to reduce the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are emitted from the use of chemically formulated consumer products. Sounds so exotic or European. If you are looking for a finish that works both on natural floors as well as stained floors, Monocoat would be the option to go for. She received a bachelor's degree in economics and management from Goucher College in Towson, Maryland. Hoffman Estates, Joliet, For more helpful flooring advice as well as a free estimate on your upcoming project, please contact us. They're shiny with a yellow tint. They were done before we bought the house so I don't know what kind of finish is on them. Rub in that will match the finish and restore the floor is completely cured it wear. 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