Non-Toxic, Low VOC Floor Finish Recommendations Needed
We have about 2600 sq ft of brand new wide plank red oak hardwood floors that are currently being sanded by our contractor right now. By next week he will be ready to begin applying the finish that we have yet to choose. No stain. My issue is…I have a 20 month old and a…
We have about 2600 sq ft of brand new wide plank red oak hardwood floors that are currently being sanded by our contractor right now. By next week he will be ready to begin applying the finish that we have yet to choose. No stain. My issue is…I have a 20 month old and a new baby due next month. We are currently not residing in the house being worked on. We will move in about a month after all work is completed (we expect to move by mid-October. I want to stay away from any solvent-based, or with dangerous toxins, carcinogens & heavy metals(formaldehyde, glycol ethers, toluene, benzene, xylene, etc.), yet don’t want to create a complicated application for the contractor. My main concern is for my babies, since they’ll be crawling all over the place and breathing the air close to the floors. High VOC content and continued offgassing is an unacceptable option. Need something that will also look good in satin finish and have low maintenance. I’d prefer to go with a water-based sealer, but again, want to stay away form the glycol ethers that are common in water-based sealers. Any input out there?
Thank you all for the helpful input. I was able to do much research in the last few days. Decided to go with AFM Safecoat Polyureseal BP Satin Finish. Pretty low VOC content & easy to apply. House will be empty for two months before we move in, so plenty of time for off-gassing, if any. Wanted to go with AFM Naturals Oil Wax Finish, but it takes 3 weeks to fully cure, which doesn’t work for us since other work is being completed in the house during that timeframe. Again, thanks to all who responded.
I wonder why you didn’t go pre-finished, but o/w I’d agree w cmu’s last para…
One more thing…
sutherlandwelles.com
For years I thought that Sutherland Welles tung oil was reserved exclusively for fine furniture, until I saw it used to finish floors that come out looking like furniture. It is much more finicky than the Osmo, and requires more coats (and more time between coats) but is totally natural and non-toxic.
We also used Osmo – both their stains and the polyx oil. I love the finish, and it has been pretty easy to apply so far – (I did the stain myself, and will do the polyx oil in the next few weeks). I also have a young baby, and I did a lot of research before choosing the Osmo stuff.
We regularly use a European product called OSMO for our dovetail drawer boxes where a more natural finish is desirable. The product is an oil-wax finish that is made for floors. It is very easy to apply , it has a very natural sheen (unlike polys)and has a pleasant smell.
http://www.osmouk.com/osmopolyx.cfm?chapter=21
Just out of curiosity, do you know for a fact that offgassing from something like water-based polyurethane is something to worry about? Even after a month? I’m not trying to make light of your concerns, but I wonder if you’re worrying about something you don’t need to worry about.
If you want a really safe finish, IMO, apply 4 coats of dewaxed garnet or amber shellac, then wax. Sand with superfine (at least 300 grit, preferably 400) between coats. Your contractor can apply it with a wool applicator. Of course, he may not want to take the trouble to do it right, but red oak wide-plank is so gorgeous that to me it would be worth the extra time. (can you tell I’m jealous?)
You’ll have to maintain it with more wax in high traffic areas, but if you don’t wear shoes and don’t have animals with claws, it will look fabulous. Shellac is completely natural — comes from the lac beetle — and its solvent is denatured alcohol, which will completely and utterly evaporate in a few hours.
Welcome to Park Slope. As a new and to-be mom with internet service and a registered member of the PSP website, you will be subject to all kinds of fears, rumors, anxieties and panics. Be calm. In your dilemma, a good HEPA gas mask is a must for at least a wquater. Better yet, rent a place and move in Dec ’09. And have you thought about your children falling on the hard wood floors and hurting their tushies? Helmets or wall-to-wall wool carpeting is recommended. In which case you don’t have to apply finish to the wood at all.
Oh, and don’t forget to get the disc brakes on your stroller serviced, it’s something few of us remember.
The above is satire 😉 Almost. Seriously, you’re worrying too much. Solvents fade after a few weeks or certainly after a month or two. And if you follow wtbound’s advice, that’s a day or three. Remember you probably grew up in a “toxic” atmosphere and you’re OK…or…
We are using AFM Safecoat – spoke to a few different people about this and apparently that brand has the lowest VOCs