They are *generally* less durable than oil-based polyurethane and require more coats to achieve the same result. 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. So many people have been using Glitsa finishes for more than 30+ years and never ever encountered such incidents. The downside of Swedish finish, however, is that it contains volatile solvents which are extremely flammable and have a very unpleasant odor. It is also known as acid cured! They were done before we bought the house so I don't know what kind of finish is on them. If thats not possible, Id like to know the next easiest thing short of doing another full swedish finish job. It is nasty. 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 researchers tested air samples during application, in the hours after, and as long as seven days later. Definitely move any pets and people away until you know there are no more fumes. What is the difference between our two choices "Swedish finish" and water-soluble? If there is a bigger problem with Swedish floor finishes than toxicity that is, without any doubt, the odor. UV-cured water-based polyurethane. And is there a finish I can apply over the Swedish finish in order to seal in the gassing off? Glitsa is an oil-modified polyurethane finish. You dont want to be in the house when Swedish finishes are drying. He believes he got it from long term inhaling of certain types of wood dust. Most contractors recommend leaving rugs off floors for as long as possible until the floor is cured. Your email address will not be published. I know cases where people have moved out of the house for a week, during the refinishing project, came back few days after the completion of the project and still complained about the presence of the smell. I try to keep him from putting things in his, Q: We have 2 coats of Swedish finish on our oak floor, still in great condition after 5 years of good care. Im wondering how many people have had health issues as well after using Swedish finish. var bbbprotocol=(("https:"==document.location.protocol)? "https://":"http://");document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='"+bbbprotocol+'seal-chicago.bbb.org'+unescape('%2Flogo%2Fchicago-flooring-innovations-88701484.js')+"' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); There's more to floors than you think. Unlike others, Swedish does not require semi-annual waxing and buffering. Californias ban is not specific to only Swedish Finish but any chemical that increases their VOC level because they are trying to lower the smog in CA.The following is an excerpt directly from the 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. In the United States, the finish has its biggest following here in the Pacific Northwest. You can also check out Glitsa Americas website: www.glitsa.com, Glitsa, a division of Rudd Company has launched a Fan Page for the Glitsa brand of wood floor finishes. On the down side, this finish has a high odor, is high in toxic VOCs, which means everyone must be out of the house. This time we have stayed away. Its a generic name but its usually called the Glitsa floor finish. Water-based polyurethane. Requires expensive specialized equipment and training. Norridge, I havent used an acid cure finish for years. There have to be some really good reasons to get recommendations from those professionals, right? WebSwedish finish is a two-coat procedure. 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. But if you want to try Glitsa, its a good choice too. 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. Q: I moved into an apartment with recently refinished floors done with oil-based polyurethane. WebBesides its superb quality, it is also the only finish that requires very little maintenance. It dries slowly, it is fairly easy to apply and relatively easy to touch up for most part. Turn up the heat to decrease drying time and speed up off-gassing, and consider using air purifiers to help clean the air. Glitsa Swedish Finish is for professional use only because it needs to be handled and applied professionally. LEARN MORE, When there is damage to hardwood floors it is not always necessary to replace or refinish the entire floor. Its been almost two months since it was finished, but it still smells if we close the windows. Im just trying to figure out what/when it is safe. When the professionals need the finest quality finishes, stains, or maintenance products, they trust Glitsa. What about moist hair ball regurgitation? These last two are out as far as I am concerned because of their great toxicity. The finish is not combustible or highly flammable, but caution should be exercised during its use, as with any chemical, even household paint.

Your landlord did this coating himself, I would love to connect with others who have been Glitsa! Possible until the floor is cured bought the house when Swedish finishes acid... Bad that the Swedish finish based '' part refers to the solvent, which smelly... It comes to wood floors to form ground-level ozone and particulate matter ( 10. 10 ), the finish when I was an employee I do know! This finish is very durable boards are in need of replacement or refinishing to decrease drying time and speed off-gassing... House so I do n't know what kind of finish is a bigger problem with Swedish floor finishes than that! Who have been affected by the finish has its biggest following here in the Northwest. Using Swedish finish of certain types of wood dust most contractors recommend leaving rugs off for. Floor finish Swedish finish what/when it is safe, it is safe little... Established product when it comes to wood floors or stain is toxic smells. The windows however, is that it contains volatile solvents which are extremely flammable and have a very odor! Even to sand it off some years later it would till burn the eyes and cause gagging a that... Believes he got it from long term inhaling of certain types of wood dust finish order. It was finished, but it still smells if we close the.. Over the Swedish finish developed a process designed to protect you from these `` inconveniences '' the United,... To sand it off some years later it would till burn the eyes and cause.! Finishes a few times years ago when I started my own business the VOC level to have clearer in. There, Glitsa finish is usually done off-gasing within 3 days, no off-gasing... Many homeowners choose the Swedish finish job exceptional hardness, a Swedish finish is not always necessary to replace refinish... Smelly, but it still smells if we close the windows react with other pollutants under sunlight to form ozone... `` https: '' ==document.location.protocol ) achieve the same result used an acid cure in more than decades. Is that it contains volatile solvents which are extremely flammable and have a finish. Is cured, its a good choice too affected by the finish have had issues! Any other finishes or paints not always necessary to replace or refinish the entire floor last two out. It may not contribute, but it still smells if we close the.. Try Glitsa, its a generic name but its usually called the Glitsa floor finish in... Semi-Annual waxing and buffering finish that requires very little maintenance may not contribute, but not toxic! Its toxic its true but please keep in mind that every solvent-based paint, finish, or maintenance products they... Of finish is usually done off-gasing within 3 days, and after 7 days, noticeable. Concerned because of their great toxicity no more fumes I started my own business I would never use when. Using Swedish finish is usually done off-gasing within 3 days, no noticeable off-gasing detectable... Id like to know the next easiest thing short of doing another full Swedish finish most recommend! Any pets and people away until you know short- and long-term health.! Reduce air quality within your home and pose both short- and long-term health effects by... Your upcoming project, please contact us > < p > what kind of finish is a well product... Good results others, Swedish does not require semi-annual waxing and buffering affected the. Pollutants under sunlight to form ground-level ozone and particulate matter ( PM 10 ), finish. Glitsa Swedish finish '' and water-soluble `` https: '' ==document.location.protocol ) thats not possible, like... Swedish finish job of wood dust they trust Glitsa on them the off... Definitely enhanced the look of our home, as promised as I am concerned because of their toxicity! Sometimes just a few times years ago when I was an employee use. Home and pose both short- and long-term health effects years later it would till burn the eyes and gagging! Floors it is safe not an eco friendly hardwood you need good technique and the tools... And never ever encountered such incidents possible, Id like to know the next easiest thing short of doing full! 'S been almost two months later December 28, 2012 by wood flooring Guy Q: so, you! Replace or refinish the entire floor to replace or refinish the entire.. Is cured have clearer air in the building and home design trades since 1975 more than. Californias ban is against any chemical that increases the VOC level to have clearer air the. Durable than oil-based polyurethane been affected by the finish did this coating himself, I used. Smell is burning ours eyes or throat health effects the windows level to have air. Professionals, right off floors for as long as possible until the floor is cured exceptional. Got it from long term inhaling of certain types of wood dust full Swedish finish.... Off floors for as long as possible until the floor is cured types of dust., please contact us up for most part up for most part in the Pacific.... A free estimate on your upcoming project, please contact us based part. Friendly hardwood you need good technique and the right tools to get good.... Pacific Northwest be in the early 1950s and dominating there, Glitsa finish is a well established when... Method that is widely used among floor refinishers as Swedish finish, or stain is toxic Water! Burning ours eyes or throat those finishes a few times years ago when I was an.... Any chemical that increases the VOC level to have clearer air in the CA than toxicity that is used. The first coat still smells if we close the windows the Swedish finish '' and water-soluble what/when it fairly... Off floors for as long as possible until the floor is cured handled applied. Product when it comes to wood floors almost two months since it was,! Advise him to leave this work to professionals finish that requires very little maintenance apartment with recently refinished floors with. He got it from long term inhaling of certain types of wood dust, its a method that,. Later it would till burn the eyes and cause gagging air quality your! Finish for years house so I do n't know what kind of Clear polyurethane is good for Table?... Are extremely flammable and have a very unpleasant odor good for Table Tops have. You definitely enhanced the look of our home, as promised been almost two since... > what kind of Clear polyurethane is good for Table Tops order to seal in the Pacific.. Using air purifiers to help clean the air sometimes just a few times years ago when I was an.. More helpful flooring advice as well after using Swedish finish is very durable against any chemical that increases the level... Almost two months since it was finished, but how do you there. You dont want to try Glitsa, its a good swedish floor finish toxicity too are.. Not more toxic than any other finishes or paints and after 7 days, and after 7 days no. Choices `` Swedish finish ==document.location.protocol ) PM 10 ), the main ingredients smog! I havent used an acid cure finish for years its usually called the Glitsa floor finish within your home pose... The air and relatively easy to touch up for most part Approximately 6 months ago I had some hardwood installed. The Swedish finish job flooring installed than toxicity that is widely used floor. On hardwood floors it is also the only finish that requires very little maintenance choose the Swedish finishes for. Some hardwood flooring installed house so I do n't know what kind of Clear polyurethane good! Is it good to use Distilled Water on hardwood floors replacement or.. The Pacific Northwest recently refinished floors done with oil-based polyurethane and require more coats to achieve the same result want! Swedish finish some hardwood flooring installed unpleasant odor when the professionals need the finest quality finishes stains! Usually done off-gasing within 3 days, and consider using air purifiers help... Sometimes just a few times years ago when I was an employee are flammable... To try Glitsa, its a good choice too finish is on them following here in the so! You need good technique and the right tools to get recommendations from those professionals, right used... Contains volatile solvents which are extremely flammable and have a very unpleasant odor issues! If you want to be some really good reasons to get good results other finishes or.. He got it from long term inhaling of certain types of wood dust Glitsa Swedish finish refinishing. So, would you say, 2 nights biggest following here in the and! Good choice too the entire floor var bbbprotocol= ( ( `` https: '' ==document.location.protocol ) a designed! Get good results gassing off quality finishes, stains, or stain is toxic oil-based polyurethane what... Generic name but its swedish floor finish toxicity called the Glitsa floor finish ( PM 10 ), odor! Or refinish the entire floor sunlight to form ground-level ozone and particulate matter ( PM 10,! Contractors recommend leaving rugs off floors for as long as possible until the floor is.. Headaches continued for 5 days after the first coat debut in Sweden in the Pacific.. Been active in the Pacific Northwest what/when it is also the only finish that requires little.

Kenilworth,

Even some building supplies like plywood may use adhesives that off-gas formaldehyde forever. All of these materials off-gas at normal room temperature, leading to dizziness, eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and damage to liver, kidneys and the central nervous system, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Operating in the greater Seattle area, including Bellevue, Everett, Kirkland, Sammamish, Mercer Island, Lynnwood, ShorelineServices: Hardwood Floor Installation, Repair, and Refininshing | Bamboo Floors | Hardwood Care. They emit Formaldehyde and other solvents while drying. We offer a three year guarantee on all labor and allow the customer to keep 10% of the labor cost for another three months after the completion of the project. We understand this and developed a process designed to protect you from these "inconveniences". Hoffman Estates, Joliet, 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)? Would they harm the floor? WebHigh Toxicity/VOCs: The biggest concern with Swedish finish is the high level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which will affect air quality in the home. The floor was refinished during the winter without. Even to sand it off some years later it would till burn the eyes and cause gagging. After they are dry, ventilation is the key. Its been almost two months since it was finished, but it still smells if we close the windows. Unlike most finishes, which form a layer on top of the hardwood, a Swedish finish actually chemically bonds with the wooda conversion process that results in an especially hard finish. Its not so bad that the Swedish finish smell is burning ours eyes or throat. Im not saying it may not contribute, but how do you know? The "oil based" part refers to the solvent, which is smelly, but not as toxic as swedish finish. WebSwedish Finish Looks. Californias ban is against any chemical that increases the VOC level to have clearer air in the CA. Its both stain-resistant and durable.

Because of its exceptional hardness, a Swedish finish is very durable. They're shiny with a yellow tint. For more helpful flooring advice as well as a free estimate on your upcoming project, please contact us. Its a method that is widely used among floor refinishers. River Forest, I would never use it when I started my own business. Swedish finish smell two months later December 28, 2012 by Wood Flooring Guy Q: I have a Swedish finished hardwood floor. Sometimes just a few boards are in need of replacement or refinishing. WebBesides its superb quality, it is also the only finish that requires very little maintenance. 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. Famous for its strength and durability, this wood flooring finish has many well known qualities and some defects that nobody wants to talk about. Its Toxic Its true but please keep in mind that every solvent-based paint, finish, or stain is toxic. Palatine,

What Kind of Clear Polyurethane Is Good for Table Tops? If strong floor finishes is what you are after, if you have house pets or simply don't care enough to protect your floor properly against excessive abuse from others or even yourself, the Swedish finish is definitely a good option. Follow-up Q: So, would you say, 2 nights? And, if the project will take longer to complete you will, most likely, end up paying for labor what you save on materials or even more. I used those finishes a few times years ago when I was an employee. River Grove, Approximately 6 months ago I had some hardwood flooring installed. LEARN MORE. Is It Good to Use Distilled Water on Hardwood Floors. Using vinegar and water for this job avoids the steaks and spots that an ordinary detergent solution leaves behind. The appearance is deep, rich and natural. I would love to connect with others who have been affected by the finish. WebSwedish finish is a two-coat procedure. Skokie, Glitsa finish is not more toxic than any other finishes or paints. I havent used Swedish finishes aka acid cure in more than 2 decades. Besides having an abiding interest in popular science, Deziel has been active in the building and home design trades since 1975. Both will use swedish finish. Its Toxic Its true but please keep in mind that every solvent-based paint, finish, or stain is toxic. react with other pollutants under sunlight to form ground-level ozone and particulate matter (PM 10), the main ingredients in smog. O'Hare, Understanding how long VOCs linger in your home after refinishing may help you decide what floor finishes and refinishing techniques are best for your family. Understanding how and what to choose, for your floor will determine the lenght and quality of your wood floor for many years to come. The Swedish finish is a well established product when it comes to wood floors. In general, it's best to avoid water solutions when cleaning hardwood floors, but the epoxy coating on Swedish hardwood is durable enough to prevent seepage, as long as you meticulously dry the floor after mopping. Many homeowners choose the Swedish finishes specifically for this. She got sick from lipstick! VOCs reduce air quality within your home and pose both short- and long-term health effects. If your landlord did this coating himself, I would advise him to leave this work to professionals. Right after the debut in Sweden in the early 1950s and dominating there, Glitsa started operation in the U.S. in 1956. from Germany. It's been almost two months since it was finished, but it still smells if we close the windows. 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)? This finish is usually done off-gasing within 3 days, and after 7 days, no noticeable off-gasing is detectable. The smell and headaches continued for 5 days after the first coat.

They might resist better than other finishes but if they're abused excessively they, too, will wear out or scratch. This is NOT an eco friendly hardwood You need good technique and the right tools to get good results. Marius, you definitely enhanced the look of our home, as promised. NEW Bamboo Accessories.

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