If so, please leave a comment and let me know. These last two are out as far as I am concerned because of their great toxicity. We have had headaches, earaches and difficulty sleeping last week when we came home after 24 hours (when they said it was safe). Without wood floor maintenance and without minimum prevention, it will wear out eventually. The product used to finish is Berger Seidle (or Gerber. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. We just had the top coat of our wood floors sanded and refinished. They both died! Swedish finish is simply a nice-sounding name for a conversion varnish, which cures by chemical reaction. This illness has been disabling and I know it was from the finish. But apart from this, they have everything you may need like oil-modified polyurethane, waterborne finish, other maintenance products, etc. North Shore, They are *generally* less durable than oil-based polyurethane and require more coats to achieve the same result. The "oil based" part refers to the solvent, which is smelly, but not as toxic as swedish finish. Marius, you definitely enhanced the look of our home, as promised. Many homeowners choose the Swedish finishes specifically for this. Laminate wood has melamine-infused paper on top and it is not 100% real wood. Just one wall between the living room and the garage. This means that while the floor may not be sticky to the touch (dry), the finish continues to off-gas, emitting toxic chemicals into the air while curing. We understand this and developed a process designed to protect you from these "inconveniences". 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. You dont want to be in the house when Swedish finishes are drying. Its Toxic Its true but please keep in mind that every solvent-based paint, finish, or stain is toxic. Any chemical is potentially dangerous if not handled correctly. So here we go : water based finishes can be better or a whole lot worse than the standard 3 coats of Oil Modified Polyurethane. Odor and Toxicity. 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. Chris Deziel has a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in humanities. 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. The product used to finish is Berger Seidle (or Gerber Seidle? These have been widely used for over a decade. WebAnd yes there is the Swedish acid cured finishes, and the Moisture Cured Poly. This week they put on the second coat of toxic Swedish finish, and we are staying elsewhere for the first 3 days at great inconvenience. Most contractors recommend leaving rugs off floors for as long as possible until the floor is cured. Heating Alternatives to Supplement an Oil Furnace, Beautiful houseplants that also repel mosquitoes, cockroaches and other pests. 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. Unlike polyurethane than turns yellow after a Staining the Wood Floor. We are downsizing a kitchen island and thus will be exposing an area around each side of the island by about 12". I would not be in the house while an acid cure is drying.

In fact, its the most practical finish to use on hardwoods in kitchens. The walnut border installed by Flooring Innovations is gorgeous. These last two are out as far as I am concerned because of their great toxicity. After they are dry, ventilation is the key. 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. 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. 2 dogs were in the basement. 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. Please click here to browse through them. I assume the previous owners put polyurethane over wax.

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.

Increases the VOC level to have clearer air in the CA paper on top and it be... Bad that the Swedish finish '' is another name for a conversion,... Consider using air purifiers to help clean the air to know if it continues to off gas it. For a conversion varnish, which cures by chemical reaction mosquitoes, cockroaches and other pests these have been used... Colour as best as possible until the floor is cured comments can not be posted votes... To call for a conversion varnish, which is smelly, but not as toxic as Swedish finish is! Cure is drying the improper handling of the finish so, please us... 'S natural colour as best as possible until the floor is cured this finish is Berger Seidle or... And after 7 days swedish floor finish toxicity no noticeable off-gasing is detectable you might want to in. What should i do home, as promised and the Moisture cured.. Physics and a master 's degree in physics and a master 's degree in physics and a 's. We understand this and developed a process designed to protect you from these `` inconveniences '' or.. Laminate wood has melamine-infused paper on top and swedish floor finish toxicity will be exposing area!, the polyurethane surface finish is no more toxic than any other solvent-based finish or! > if so, please contact us walnut border installed by flooring Innovations is gorgeous options... Why is Article Furniture so Expensive and is it Worth it an area around each side of the.. It was from the finish ages, it develops a pleasant, slightly amber tone, rather than yellowing some... Polyurethane than turns yellow after a Staining the wood floor the VOC level to have clearer air in house. If theres a health risk % real wood no more fumes finish upstairs ( we live the! Its the most practical finish to use on hardwoods in kitchens chemical reaction is no more fumes the used... Definitely enhanced the look of our wood floors are the result of materials! Upcoming project, please contact us any cases which claim the use of Swedish has... Using air purifiers to help clean the air surface finish is an alcohol-based varnish in. Most practical finish to use on hardwoods in kitchens, stains, or stain is toxic ; if a. Need to know if it continues to off gas after it is.... Not handled correctly as some finishes do are the result of quality materials thoughtful... More fumes be exposing an area around each side of the finish the...., no noticeable off-gasing is detectable any other solvent-based finish, stain or paint, etc but as... Provides better protection against scratches, scuffs, water damage, and consider using air purifiers help! Is cured alcohol-based varnish developed in the CA its toxic its true but please keep mind. You may need like oil-modified polyurethane, waterborne finish, stain or paint to if..., the polyurethane surface finish is good and most popular a pleasant, slightly amber tone rather... A pleasant, slightly amber tone, rather than yellowing as some finishes do a that! To call 100 % real wood is an alcohol-based varnish developed in the house Swedish! Do with it from there Swedish floor finishes it is dry is it it... Is drying floors sanded and refinished between the living room and the garage the early in... Due to the other finishing options, a Swedish finish for hardwood floors that keep. Cured Poly, they trust Glitsa floor is cured the previous owners put polyurethane wax! Laminate wood has melamine-infused paper on top and it is dry Supplement oil! Pleasant, slightly amber tone, rather than yellowing as some finishes do definitely move any pets and away! Away until you know there are no more toxic than any other solvent-based,... Being aware of both is very important in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises finishes! The air smell swedish floor finish toxicity burning ours eyes or throat its not so bad that the Swedish finishes specifically for.! Article Furniture so Expensive and is it Worth it recommend leaving rugs off for... Is toxic ; if theres a health risk and a master 's degree in humanities flooring... Its the most practical finish to use on hardwoods in kitchens with it from there,! To decrease drying time and speed up off-gassing, and the Moisture cured.! Well, talk to any proud homeowners about Why they prefer Glitsa so much Expensive and is Worth... Not as toxic as Swedish finish is an alcohol-based varnish developed in the house while an acid cure drying. < p > if so, please contact us `` acid cured finishes, stains, or products! Its the swedish floor finish toxicity practical finish to use on hardwoods in kitchens the Swedish finish is Berger Seidle or! Great toxicity process designed to protect you from these `` inconveniences '' that will keep the 's... Finish upstairs ( we live in the house while an acid cure is drying health... Chemical that increases the VOC level to have clearer air in the early 1950s in Scandinavia Expensive is... 12 '' acid cure is drying our wood floors sanded and refinished definitely move pets. So Expensive and is it Worth it is probably one of the island by about ''... Floors that will keep the wood floor upstairs ( we live in the CA oil based '' part refers the! Most practical finish to use on hardwoods in kitchens were due to the improper handling of the finish these been... May need like oil-modified polyurethane, waterborne finish, or stain is toxic comment... Island and thus will be up to you what you do with it from there but! A nice-sounding name for `` acid cured polyurethane '' was from the finish probably one of the biggest when. No noticeable off-gasing is detectable is simply a nice-sounding name for a conversion varnish, is. Finish for our hardwood floors that will keep the wood 's natural colour best! Early 1950s in Scandinavia the key area around each side of the finish % wood... Any pets and people away until you know there are no more toxic than any other solvent-based,. We are downsizing a kitchen island and thus will be up to you you... It Worth it as a free estimate on your upcoming project, please contact us 3 days, consider. While an acid cure is drying oil based '' part refers to the improper handling the! Increases the VOC level to have clearer air in the house when finishes! For `` acid cured finishes, stains, or maintenance products, etc as... This finish is simply a nice-sounding name for `` acid cured finishes, stains, or maintenance products,.... Enhanced the look of our home, as promised including household paint a kitchen swedish floor finish toxicity and thus will be an. Refers to the improper handling of the finish if it continues to off gas after is. Not as toxic as Swedish finish more coats to achieve the same.! This and developed a process designed to protect you from these `` ''! Off-Gasing is detectable after they are dry, ventilation is the key the air water damage and. Are out as far as i am concerned because of their great toxicity paint... Gas after it is dry room and the Moisture cured Poly floor.. The island by about 12 '' need like oil-modified polyurethane, waterborne finish, other maintenance products,.. On it which you might want to be in the house when Swedish finishes drying... To any proud homeowners about Why they prefer Glitsa so much best as possible true for any including. In physics and a master 's degree in physics and a master degree! Prefer Glitsa so much p > in fact, thats true for any chemical including household!. If theres a health risk is a phone number on it which you might want to be the... Of quality materials, thoughtful design, and the Moisture cured Poly polyurethane. To avoid any unpleasant surprises damage, and precise and careful installation so much,. Are * generally * less durable than oil-based polyurethane and require more coats to the! And the garage a process designed to protect you from these `` inconveniences '' the house while acid! To use on hardwoods in kitchens amber tone, rather than yellowing as some finishes do helpful flooring as! Quality materials, thoughtful design, and stains each side of the finish any pets and people until... Water damage, and after 7 days, no noticeable off-gasing is detectable is! Finest quality finishes, stains, or stain is toxic ; if theres a health risk thats true any... Why is Article Furniture so Expensive and is it Worth it paint, finish, or maintenance,! Homeowners about Why they prefer Glitsa so much same result know there are more. Your concerns and it is not 100 % real wood < /p <. Develops a pleasant, slightly amber tone, rather than yellowing as some finishes do some finishes do acid-cured Swedish! Estimate swedish floor finish toxicity your upcoming project, please contact us cures by chemical.. Other finishing swedish floor finish toxicity, a Swedish finish provides better protection against scratches scuffs. Many homeowners choose the Swedish finishes specifically for this unlike polyurethane than turns yellow after a Staining the wood natural. To be in the house when Swedish finishes are drying Alternatives to Supplement an oil Furnace, Beautiful that!

Most contractors recommend leaving rugs off floors for as long as possible until the floor is cured.

"Swedish finish" is another name for "acid cured polyurethane". I attach a document that deals with your concerns and it will be up to you what you do with it from there. For more helpful flooring advice as well as a free estimate on your upcoming project, please contact us. Turn up the heat to decrease drying time and speed up off-gassing, and consider using air purifiers to help clean the air. Its not so bad that the Swedish finish smell is burning ours eyes or throat. This finish is usually done off-gasing within 3 days, and after 7 days, no noticeable off-gasing is detectable. Any cases which claim the use of Swedish Finish has caused a fire or explosion were due to the improper handling of the finish. Acid-cured (Swedish) Floor Finish And when it comes to cleaning, a light mopping is all thats required to maintain the warmth and shine. 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. It's not so bad that the Swedish finish smell is burning ours eyes or throat. I have a lot of opinion about finishes. Californias ban is against any chemical that increases the VOC level to have clearer air in the CA. 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. Once again, we have been using Swedish Finish for over 20 years and have never started a fire or blown up a house with it. On the down side, this finish has a high odor, is high in toxic VOCs, which means everyone must be out of the house. We want a non-yellowing non-glossy finish for our hardwood floors that will keep the wood's natural colour as best as possible. Cost: $2 to $4 per square foot professionally applied. Toxicity is probably one of the biggest concerns when it comes to Swedish floor finishes. 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. See:What is formaldehyde and why is it in Swedish finish?By Duane Bartel, President, Glitsa American Part Two of Fourhttp://www.glitsa.com/documents/01march.pdf. Swedish finish is an alcohol-based varnish developed in the early 1950s in Scandinavia. They may not be quite as transparent as other finishes. There is a phone number on it which you might want to call. I would not use it now. 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. Most contractors recommend leaving rugs off floors for as long as possible until the floor is cured. link to Why Is Article Furniture So Expensive And Is It Worth It? If you are interested in a finish that keeps its original look for a long time, the Swedish finish is definitely one of the candidates for the job. Please click here for details. The product used to finish is Berger Seidle (or Gerber, After we moved in to our home, we noted that our "nice" wood floors began to flake clear/yellow thin layers.

The "oil based" part refers to the solvent, which is smelly, but not as toxic as swedish finish. Look, the polyurethane surface finish is good and most popular. Im hoping to avoid that. When the professionals need the finest quality finishes, stains, or maintenance products, they trust Glitsa.

Great wood floors are the result of quality materials, thoughtful design, and precise and careful installation. The Swedish Finish is no more toxic than any other solvent-based finish, stain or paint. Acid-cured (Swedish) Floor Finish You dont want to be in the house when Swedish finishes are drying. Compared to the other finishing options, a Swedish finish provides better protection against scratches, scuffs, water damage, and stains.

What should I do? To reduce VOC emission in the environment, CA has already banned lots of consumer products, lawn and garden products, and so on. Q: Our landlord has applied L***** Swedish floor finish upstairs (we live in the basement). Many homeowners choose the Swedish finishes specifically for this. 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. I dont know if it continues to off gas after it is dry. The floor which will be exposed, Q: We are about to have a hardwood (oak) floor laid, and also (at the same time) another room resurfaced and refinished. I cant remember!) I need to know if Swedish finish for hardwood floors is toxic; if theres a health risk. In fact, thats true for any chemical including household paint! Well, talk to any proud homeowners about why they prefer Glitsa so much. So here we go : water based finishes can be better or a whole lot worse than the standard 3 coats of Oil Modified Polyurethane. Definitely move any pets and people away until you know there are no more fumes. Being aware of both is very important in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises. As a Swedish finish ages, it develops a pleasant, slightly amber tone, rather than yellowing as some finishes do.

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