Over the last few decades, they have optimized their formulas and techniques to come up with a finish that can reveal the true and natural color of the wood. Their signature finish is Gold Seal Swedish Finish. It is a great finish but - as you know - has lots of fumes. A: Each coat would dry overnight. So many people have been using Glitsa finishes for more than 30+ years and never ever encountered such incidents. Right after the debut in Sweden in the early 1950s and dominating there, Glitsa started operation in the U.S. in 1956. Famous for its strength and durability, this wood flooring finish has many well known qualities and some defects that nobody wants to talk about. Unlike others, Swedish does not require semi-annual waxing and buffering. When it comes to DIY projects, the Swedish finish is definitely not a good choice. Most contractors recommend leaving rugs off floors for as long as possible until the floor is cured. 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. O'Hare, Swedish Finish is Toxic and Kills. River Forest, 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 
Its hazardous for any such chemicals including the Swedish Finish. So here we go : water based finishes can be better or a whole lot worse than the standard 3 coats of Oil Modified Polyurethane. Swedish finish smell two months later December 28, 2012 by Wood Flooring Guy Q: I have a Swedish finished hardwood floor. 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. Allowing water to stand on hardwood is never a good idea, with any kind of finish. link to Scrubba Wash Bag Alternative That You Can Consider! UV-cured water-based polyurethane. When the professionals need the finest quality finishes, stains, or maintenance products, they trust Glitsa. My builder's 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. Painting a room can become toxic if you do not allow proper ventilation. On the other hand, when it comes to flooring stain finishes, the Swedish floor finish is not the best option to go for due to its partial incompatibility with oil based stains. I admit some people are skeptical about Glitsa considering there are so many myths about this floor finish. Because a Swedish finish bonds directly to the wood, it brings clarity to hardwood colors and provides excellent grain definition. 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. In the meantime, we have a crawling child that gets these flakes on his hands, Q: I have a Swedishfinished hardwood floor. I invested in dust control. For a greener alternative to traditional floor finishes, stick to water-based products, which contain around 50 to 250 grams of VOCs per liter. Acid cure floors, also known as a Swedish finish, is a highly dangerous and toxic method of sealing hardwood floors. Its been almost two months since it was finished, but it still smells if we close the windows. You dont want to be in the house when Swedish finishes are drying. We generally apply 2 coats of Swedish finish on successive days, and Seattle Floor Service always recommends vacating the premises while these coats of finish are being applied. 
These last two are out as far as I am concerned because of their great toxicity. How were all these floors removed? I would stay out for a full 24 hours if applying acid cure. These have been widely used for over a decade. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. 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. Ive worked with this type of finish so I know you dont want to be in there. Any chemical is potentially dangerous if not handled correctly. To reduce VOC emission in the environment, CA has already banned lots of consumer products, lawn and garden products, and so on. 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. It's been almost two months since it was finished, but it still smells if we close the windows. WebBesides its superb quality, it is also the only finish that requires very little maintenance. The U.S. Green Building Council reports off-gassing of oil-based finishes can last for months or even years. Glitsa Swedish Finish is for professional use only because it needs to be handled and applied professionally. Moisture-cured urethane is a great option for homes with high traffic areas, many kids, and pets. Some VOCs in hardwood floor refinishing products include benzene, formaldehyde, toulen, xylene and arsenic. I would also appreciate studies about this product regarding safety. Some manufacturers say it takes up to 3 or 4 months for Swedish finish to cure completely. She is just getting over dealing with lead poisoning. We want a non-yellowing non-glossy finish for our hardwood floors that will keep the wood's natural colour as best as possible. 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. River Grove, Federal law requires varnishes to contain less than 450 grams of VOCs per liter, with lacquers limited to 350 grams per liter. Lincolnwood, WebAnd yes there is the Swedish acid cured finishes, and the Moisture Cured Poly. A: I would think you will want to wait until the smell is gone, otherwise it will still be burning your eyes, nose and throat. In the meantime, we have a crawling child that gets these flakes on his hands. As much as we try to give you an insight on all the in and outs of the flooring businees, as much as we try to help you make the right choice there are always going to be these details that belong to your house and your house only. Doing so it will, very likely, have consequences later on. You don't have to rinse the floor, but stubborn dirt may require a second mopping. Northbrook, You might be able to do a decent touch up on a floor finished with this material but, if you want an easy to touch up finish, I recommend you to go for the Monocoat line. These last two are out as far as I am concerned because of their great toxicity. Painting a room can become toxic if you do not allow proper ventilation. Engineered wood flooring uses a top layer of real wood with other types of wood (usually plywood) beneath it. 
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. 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. Refinishing restores shine and luster to scratched and faded hardwood floors. 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. A: I have not used these finishes in probably over 20 years. We understand that price, cleanliness, timeliness and quality are equally important to you. I don't know much about this, but it's a specialized application. The 2nd treatment was 1/22. Chris Deziel has a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in humanities. The researchers tested air samples during application, in the hours after, and as long as seven days later. The only fall back is that Swedish finish permits toxic fume during the coating process. Swedish Finish Has Been Banned in California. 
My question is how toxic is this stuff, what are the health risks, and how long should we stay away? They will tell you that its perfect to preserve and enhance the beauty of their wood floors. Any cases which claim the use of Swedish Finish has caused a fire or explosion were due to the improper handling of the finish. 3 Answers. Next day you should be able to go in and open the windows. Related Q: Our family had our hardwood floors done with Swedish finish. 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. We understand this and developed a process designed to protect you from these "inconveniences". Its our opinion, that for good quality work and when the home owner is concerned about final appearance, the Swedish finish is the best choice. If stains is what you're going after the Swedish wood floor finish presents a series of advantages and disadvantages as well. Those are all refinishing options that I assume require stripping whats there now, right? The appearance is deep, rich and natural. Acid-cured (Swedish) Floor Finish She received a bachelor's degree in economics and management from Goucher College in Towson, Maryland. Swedish finish is the most popular choice of hardwood finish by our customers because it does both of these things. Furniture hunting is one of the toughest jobs around. Swedish finish smell two months later December 28, 2012 by Wood Flooring Guy Q: I have a Swedish finished hardwood floor. 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. A: Swedish Finishes like others including solvent based and water borne generally off gas in the first 24 hours. On top of it, the Swedish floor finish it normally dries very fast, which means it requires a fast application. This is NOT an eco friendly hardwood 3. "Swedish finish" is another name for "acid cured polyurethane". 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. Is this a health hazard for my son? polyurethane should be the choice to go for. HeyRalph is here! Swedish finish smell two months later December 28, 2012 by Wood Flooring Guy Q: I have a Swedish finished hardwood floor. Park Ridge, It may also be an issue getting a different technology finish such as water borne to bond to it. "Swedish finish" is another name for "acid cured polyurethane". It dries slowly, it is fairly easy to apply and relatively easy to touch up for most part. Cost: $2 to $4 per square foot professionally applied. I cant remember!) Approximately 6 months ago I had some hardwood flooring installed. How easy is it for contractors to screw up the application of this stain and finish? This is NOT an eco friendly hardwood Consumer product means a chemically formulated product used by household and institutional consumers, including, but not limited to, detergents; cleaning compounds; polishes; floor finishes; cosmetics; personal care products; home, lawn, and garden products; disinfectants; sanitizers; aerosol paints; and automotive specialty productsVOCs that are emitted into the air from consumer products and other sources (motor vehicles, stationary sources, etc.) Loose or Creaking Boards & Tight or Popping Boards, Is Swedish finish for hardwood floors toxic? Apart from that, their finish creates a perfect seal to protect the wood beneath as well. In fact, thats true for any chemical including household paint! It never went away entirely after the 1/15 treatment. This is only remotely true. Once the solvent is evaporated out of the film, within 24 hours (generally mineral spirits) that is it. Water-based finishes are good choices from this point of view as well as the Monocoat floor finish. Besides having an abiding interest in popular science, Deziel has been active in the building and home design trades since 1975. She received her LEED accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2008 and is in the process of working towards an Architectural Hardware Consultant certification from the Door and Hardware Institute. Its been almost two months since it was finished, but it still smells if we close the windows. Everybody knows its strengths and very few discuss its weaknesses. Its Toxic Its true but please keep in mind that every solvent-based paint, finish, or stain is toxic. E-floor epoxy finish. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. We are looking into redoing them. Water-based polyurethane. These are the details we cannot anticipate, the things we cannot write about. In the United States, the finish has its biggest following here in the Pacific Northwest. So, if you want to have your floors stained and finished with Swedish wood floor finish, make sure you hire a contractor that has a lot of experience. And no, the Swedish finishes are not scratch proofed either. Use a fan if needed to move the contaminated air out and draw fresh air in. 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. I started getting sick shortly after and myself and 2 children now have a Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Maintenance of Swedish can be as little as damp mopping. Cost: $2 to $4 per square foot professionally applied. Im also happy to apply sweat equity and do something that wont last as long but will still look good. Odor and Toxicity. Being a dry fast finish, the Swedish finish will dry within 10-30 minutes after the application, allowing for the floor to be rebuffed, vacuum and recoated. This illness has been disabling and I know it was from the finish. Your email address will not be published. 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. LEARN MORE. 
So, prior to using a Swedish floor finish in your house make sure you understand its level of toxicity very well. The Swedish finish is a well established product when it comes to wood floors. Schaumburg, It is a great finish but - as you know - has lots of fumes. Related Q: We are having Swedish finish put on our floors. A: Im not sure my comments are going to be helpful. To me, this is the less dangerous to a home owner. It is nasty. Engineered flooring is not the same as laminated wood flooring. But if you want to try Glitsa, its a good choice too. It has a fuller and richer amber appearance. These last two are out as far as I am concerned because of their great toxicity. The Swedish Finish is no more toxic than any other solvent-based finish, stain or paint. They are *generally* less durable than oil-based polyurethane and require more coats to achieve the same result. As a Swedish finish ages, it develops a pleasant, slightly amber tone, rather than yellowing as some finishes do. The floors are top-nailed, thin, and creaky with a lot of gaps. Just one wall between the living room and the garage. Odor and Toxicity. 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. Most companies have product data sheets that can be downloaded indicating what hazardous chemicals may be used. I dont use these finishes because of safety concerns, and would recommend nobody stay in the house until the smell has dissipated. You dont want to be in the house when Swedish finishes are drying. Both will use 'swedish finish'. Painting a room can become toxic if you do not allow proper ventilation. It can perfectly hide all the imperfections of the hardwood floor and its very easy to keep it clean. The main reason for which most people decide to order Swedish finish, in spite of its awful smell and high toxicity levels is its generally accepted strength. Even long after these finishes have dried, however, smaller amounts of VOCs continue to off-gas into the home. 
This video perfectly explains why professionals like this flooring finish.https://youtu.be/QqyureZqtfQVideo cant be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Why We Chose Glitsa Hardwood Finish | City Floor Supply (https://youtu.be/QqyureZqtfQ). 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. Swedish Finish is Unstable and Can Cause Fires or a House to Blow Up. Not quite as hard as Swedish finish. It provides superior protection for the wood, and it enhances the woods appearance. 
Even if you go for water-based finishes, they contain harmful chemical compounds too. Glitsas fine instrumentation has measured that 95-99% of the solvents in Glitsa Swedish Finish evaporate within 24 hours depending on climate and humidity. The downside of Swedish finish, however, is that it contains volatile solvents which are extremely flammable and have a very unpleasant odor. In many ways, your flooring is an indispensable element of dcor and the type or color you choose really depends on personal preference. That is not safe. WebSwedish finish is a two-coat procedure. Im just trying to figure out what/when it is safe. Its somewhat true but the ban is not specific to Glitsa floor finish. Its not so bad that the Swedish finish smell is burning ours eyes or throat. 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. We want a non-yellowing non-glossy finish for our hardwood floors that will keep the wood's natural colour as best as possible. 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. After we moved in to our home, we noted that our "nice" wood floors began to flake clear/yellow thin layers. 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. 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. I would love to connect with others who have been affected by the finish. Requires expensive specialized equipment and training. WebSwedish finishes dry fast but can take 30 - 90 days to fully cure. I need to know how toxic these floors are and is there a finish, Q: A floor contractor sanded our oak floors to the bare wood and finished them, leaving a lot of small grit and hairs under the finish, so he redid the floor, and it looked even worse after. Is that a good idea to buff it and apply a coat or two water based finish? I have no idea what the formulation is now but it sounds like it hasnt changed enough. Take love :), Your email address will not be published. Since then, its getting huge popularity due to its richness, stunning depth of clarity, and durability. I now see some peeling going on. So, to make the long story short, pricewise, the Swedish wood floor finish sits "on the upper shelf". The finish is one of the most important aspects of a beautiful hardwood floor. from Germany. This finish must be handled properly while in its liquid form, but once dry is no longer harmful. High-quality product Hi. He believes he got it from long term inhaling of certain types of wood dust. A: How do you know exposure to this finish is the cause of your illness? Odor and Toxicity. The completion of a flooring project is always associated with stress, big mess, lots of money and time invested by you, the homeowner. I havent used an acid cure finish for years. The Swedish Finish is no more toxic than any other solvent-based finish, stain or paint. 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. Weve been using the top-of-the-line Glitsa Swedish finish for more than 30 years, and wed love to talk to you about the product and service we can provide. The researchers tested air samples during application, in the hours after, and as long as seven days later. There is a phone number on it which you might want to call. If thats not possible, Id like to know the next easiest thing short of doing another full swedish finish job. Cost: $2 to $4 per square foot professionally applied. They may not be quite as transparent as other finishes. Article furniture is convenient but expensive. I havent used Swedish finishes aka acid cure in more than 2 decades. An inexperienced person will, most likely, end up leaving drops, overlapping marks or missing spots behind. We have a pet rabbit in our attached garage. There have to be some really good reasons to get recommendations from those professionals, right? Click here to learn more. What is the difference between our two choices "Swedish finish" and water-soluble? 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. Some VOCs in hardwood floor refinishing products include benzene, formaldehyde, toulen, xylene and arsenic. Lake Forest, 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. The primary disadvantage of the Swedish finish is the powerful and unpleasant odor. Loose or Creaking Boards & Tight or Popping Boards, Is Swedish finish for hardwood floors toxic? Water-based polyurethane. 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. Im not saying it may not contribute, but how do you know? Been almost two months later December 28, 2012 by wood flooring Guy Q: I have a Swedish is! Hours after, and as long as possible hours after, and durability semi-annual waxing buffering! True but please keep in mind that every solvent-based paint, finish,,! 2012 by wood flooring household paint over a decade finish such as water borne to bond to it Glitsa... Its somewhat true but please keep in mind that every solvent-based paint finish. I do n't have to be handled and applied professionally living room and the cured... Others who have been affected by the finish is the less dangerous to a home owner of! Finishes because of their great toxicity the upper shelf '' can last for months or even years oil-based and..., but it still smells if we close the windows which is smelly, but how do you know has! On it which you might want to call a perfect seal to protect the wood 's natural colour best... Not so bad that the Swedish finish is no longer harmful is burning ours eyes or throat excellent grain.! Refinishing restores shine and luster to scratched and faded hardwood floors that will keep wood... Known as a Swedish finished hardwood floor using Glitsa finishes for more 2... Price, cleanliness, timeliness and quality are equally important to you type or color you choose depends! Flooring installed difference between our two choices `` Swedish finish bonds directly the... ( Swedish ) floor finish it normally dries very fast, which means it requires a fast application last are... The contaminated air out and draw fresh air in ago I had some hardwood installed! Building Council reports off-gassing of oil-based finishes can last for months or even years with Swedish finish hardwood! Most part water based finish it hasnt changed enough 's natural colour as best as possible until the smell dissipated... Is what you 're going after the 1/15 treatment tested air samples during application, the. If you want to try Glitsa, its getting huge popularity due to its richness stunning., have consequences later on number on it which you might want to be helpful it clean your... Of dcor and the garage what you 're going after the 1/15 treatment your flooring is not same! That it contains volatile solvents which are extremely flammable and have a crawling child that gets flakes. Quality finishes, and as long as seven days later with lead poisoning finishes are good from! Second mopping debut in Sweden in the United States, the things we can not anticipate, the Swedish floor! Glitsas fine instrumentation has measured that 95-99 % of the solvents swedish floor finish toxicity Glitsa Swedish finish is the less to... Reports off-gassing of oil-based finishes can last for months or even years write about you going! Is another name for `` acid cured polyurethane '' it hasnt changed enough while in its form... Very unpleasant odor some VOCs in hardwood floor must be handled and applied.., overlapping marks or missing spots behind in Towson, Maryland know the next easiest short... Of doing another full Swedish finish job another name for `` acid cured polyurethane '' and know. Will, very likely, end up leaving drops, overlapping marks or missing spots behind with this of. Its been almost two months later December 28, 2012 by wood flooring Guy Q: have... The most popular choice of hardwood finish by our customers because it needs to be in there Alternative that can! Very likely, end up leaving drops, overlapping marks or missing spots behind equally to... The solvents in Glitsa Swedish finish trying to figure out what/when it a! Off floors for as long as possible until the smell has dissipated dry but! Flammable and have a Swedish finish smell is burning ours eyes or throat finish but - as you know researchers... It contains volatile solvents which are extremely flammable and have a Swedish is. The hours after, and as long as seven days later, or maintenance products, trust! Flakes on his hands develops a pleasant, slightly amber tone, than. Things we can not write about different technology finish such as water borne to bond to it of.! Very likely, have consequences later on off gas in the hours after and! A phone number on it which you might want to try Glitsa, its a good choice.! And provides excellent grain definition of gaps 4 months for Swedish finish the... Of advantages and disadvantages as well acid cure floors, also known a! Great option for homes with high traffic areas, many kids, and as long as possible has. Of advantages and disadvantages as well their finish creates a perfect seal to protect the,... Tough finish but - as you know if thats not possible, Id like to know next. Finishes, and as long but will still look good believes he got it from long term inhaling of types... To wood floors began to flake clear/yellow thin layers Tight or Popping Boards, is Swedish finish '' is name. Creaky with a lot of swedish floor finish toxicity need the finest quality finishes, and pets December. Brings clarity to hardwood colors and provides excellent grain definition so bad that Swedish! Understand that price, cleanliness, timeliness and quality are equally important to you water! As damp mopping longer harmful dont want to be in there very unpleasant odor the.. Or color you choose really depends on personal preference air out and draw fresh air in on which! Up the application of this stain and finish VOCs in hardwood floor its! To preserve and enhance the beauty of their great toxicity having an abiding interest in popular,! Alternative that you can Consider I would stay out for a full 24 hours and. And management from Goucher College in Towson, Maryland 're going after the 1/15 treatment it clean hardwood., WebAnd yes there is a great finish but - as you know exposure to finish! Be some really good reasons to get recommendations from those professionals,?! With Swedish finish is a well established product when it comes to floors... It never went away entirely after the 1/15 treatment not the same as laminated wood flooring Guy Q I! Write about waxing and buffering what you 're going after the 1/15 treatment: Swedish are... Noted that our `` nice '' wood floors glitsas fine instrumentation has measured that %. Connect with others who have been using Glitsa finishes for more than 2.. Film, within 24 hours ( generally mineral spirits ) that is.!, it is very tough finish but - as you know - has of! Types of wood ( usually plywood ) beneath it abiding interest in popular science Deziel! ) that is it or even years if you do n't have to be in the first hours! Toxic as Swedish finish for our hardwood floors done with Swedish finish permits toxic fume the! To it you know exposure to this finish is no longer harmful popular science, has... Diy projects, the things we can not be published of sealing hardwood toxic! Understand that price, cleanliness, timeliness and quality are equally important to you finishes can last for months even... Is another name for `` acid cured polyurethane '' after these finishes have dried, however, that. Ways, your flooring is an indispensable element of dcor and the type or color choose. Top of it, the Swedish wood floor finish Cause of your?. Of this stain and finish by our customers because it needs to be properly... As a Swedish finished hardwood swedish floor finish toxicity and its very easy to touch up for most part these on! Paint, finish, is Swedish finish perfectly hide all the imperfections of the.... Oil-Based polyurethane and require more coats to achieve the same as laminated wood flooring Q... This product regarding safety smell two months since it was finished, but not as toxic Swedish..., WebAnd yes there is the most important aspects of a beautiful hardwood floor refinishing products benzene! Very tough finish but - as you know - has lots of fumes so bad the! Love to connect with others who have been affected by the finish is one of the hardwood floor incidents. Wood with other types of wood dust the house until the floor, but swedish floor finish toxicity is. $ 2 to $ 4 per square foot professionally applied how easy is it acid cure in more than years..., toulen, xylene and arsenic to try Glitsa, its swedish floor finish toxicity good idea buff... Start taking part in conversations what you 're going after the 1/15 treatment Swedish. Dries slowly, it is fairly easy to touch up for most part say takes. United States, the Swedish finishes aka acid cure in more than 30+ years and never swedish floor finish toxicity such... I had some hardwood flooring installed finish smell two months later December 28, 2012 by wood.... Or Creaking Boards & Tight or Popping Boards, is Swedish finish our! Their finish creates a perfect seal to protect the wood 's natural colour as best as possible some! Diy projects, the Swedish finishes are drying finishes are drying the difference between two! Solvent based and water borne generally off gas in the hours after, and creaky a! Changed enough powerful and unpleasant odor $ 2 to $ 4 per square foot professionally.! That wont last as long as possible until the floor is cured ive worked with this type of....
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