What you need to know about parquet varnish and which one is better to choose. Which varnish to choose for parquet Which parquet varnish to choose

Respectable parquet flooring requires special treatment. If a plank floor can simply be “covered” with paint, then the parquet must be covered with varnish or special wax (or oil), otherwise it will quickly lose its attractiveness. In addition to the aesthetic purpose of the varnish coating, it serves as good protection for the board, without which the service life of the parquet is significantly reduced.

- this is a question that arises among homeowners who are installing parquet boards. In addition to varnishes, the assortment of construction stores includes a large selection of various compositions for protecting and transforming wood, but varnish, as the most reliable and proven product over the years, is still the most popular today.

Parquet varnishes can have different bases, so before choosing the one you need, you need to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of some of them.

When choosing the composition of the varnish for parquet, you need to take into account the type of wood from which the board is made, since it can have light and dark shades, so the varnish must match its color. In addition, each of the rocks has its own density, and its absorbency depends on this property of the material.

When choosing a varnish, the purpose of the room in which, that is, the intensity of traffic, humidity and types of loads, is also of great importance. which the coating will be exposed. If the varnish will be used to cover the floor in a room in an ordinary apartment where a small family lives, then there is no need to choose a varnish that can withstand heavy loads.

But even in such conditions, you need to take into account the specific room. For example, for a hallway or kitchen it is better to purchase varnishes with the ability to experience higher loads, since these rooms have high traffic and are cleaned more often. Therefore, in this case, the protective properties of the composition should be an order of magnitude higher.

For public buildings and premises with a high intensity of human flow, you need to pay attention to the strength of the varnish, since it will have to withstand mechanical stress from numerous heels and dust and dirt carried on shoes. In such places, oil impregnations or durable water-repellent compounds are often used, which will help keep the parquet flooring in good condition for a long time. Moreover, such a floor is easier to renew, unlike varnish coatings. Therefore, varnish is used extremely rarely in this case.

It is also necessary to remember that inexpensive compositions are not particularly durable and will last no more than 2 ÷ 3 years, and given that the process of applying varnish is a rather labor-intensive task, it is better to immediately choose a reliable composition that will keep the floor in its original condition for 12 ÷ 15 years. Naturally, its price is many times higher, but by using it, you can save yourself from many problems for a long time. These varnishes include two-component compositions.

There is no need to think that material produced abroad will necessarily be of higher quality and more durable. First of all, you need to pay attention to the chemical composition of the varnish, and not to the country in which it was released. Some imported products are not of high quality, have an unpleasant odor, take a long time to dry and wear out quickly.

It is very important to pay attention to the consumption of the composition. For example, five liters of high-quality varnish should be enough to cover an area of 15 ÷ 17 m² in three layers, 20 ÷ 25 m² in two layers, you can stretch it to 30 m² of a room, but the layers will be thinner.

Also, you need to pay attention to the container in which the varnish is sold, since high-quality compositions are never sold in wholesale containers or plastic buckets - this is usually how counterfeits of imported varnishes from well-known manufacturers are packaged.

The varnish must be packaged in cans or plastic canisters with a volume of no more than 5 ÷ 10 liters. If this is a two-component version of the varnish, then a bottle of additional composition should be attached to the main container. They are mixed together in the strict proportions indicated on the packaging, immediately before application to the parquet.

So, when buying varnish, you need to pay attention to the following characteristics:

Parquet varnishes are produced on different bases - urethane-alkyd, alkyd, polyurethane, formaldehyde and water-based. These parameters are indicated on the packaging in the chemical composition section.
The material can give a coloring effect or be completely transparent and retain the natural color and texture of the wood.
The consistency of the varnish can be viscous or fluid - the method of applying it to the surface will depend on this parameter.
The composition can give various aesthetic effects - matte, silky-matte, semi-matte or semi-gloss and glossy.
In addition, the packaging indicates susceptibility to moisture, resistance to stress, wear resistance and approximate service life.

Types of varnishes for parquet

To make the right choice, you need to know what each type of varnish is.

Primer varnishes

The very name of such varnishes suggests that their purpose is to prepare the surface for layers of finishing coating. Primer varnishes impregnate the wood, and this promotes better adhesion when applying the next main layers. If the parquet is treated with primers, the quality of the front coating improves several times. But besides this, the use of such starting processing contributes to:

reducing the adhesive effect of the top layers of varnish at the joints of individual dies;
creating a perfectly smooth surface and highlighting the textured pattern of wood;
protecting the surface and side parts of the dies from possible exposure to moisture;
preservation of natural protective oils of valuable wood species.

Primer varnishes are selected depending on the basis on which the finishing coating will be made, since these compositions must be compatible with each other and have good adhesion.

If the materials are incompatible, the work will be completely damaged and will have to be redone, as the surface will be covered with light spots. This problem can only be corrected by removing the varnish or sanding the entire floor.

For example, if a water-based varnish is purchased for finishing, then the primer should be exclusively water-based - then the parquet will have an even and reliable coating.

It is also very important that the surface coated with a primer tends to absorb the finishing varnish less, which means it significantly reduces its consumption.

Primer varnishes made on different bases dry quite quickly, since some of them are absorbed into the surface of the parquet wood, and the remaining excess quickly evaporates. The drying time of the first primer layer ranges from 20 minutes to 3 ÷ 4 hours.

To achieve the desired result and get a beautiful surface, craftsmen recommend using a primer and one made by the same manufacturer. This is due to the fact that the composition of these varnishes is designed to be fully compatible with each other; in fact, they represent a single “system”, so they have excellent adhesion and will never cause any “undesirable reactions”. By choosing formulations from different companies, you can get an unpredictable result that is unlikely to please you.

Water-based varnishes for parquet

Water-based varnishes are the most popular due to the fact that they do not have an unpleasant odor and dry quickly enough. When choosing such a material, it is better to purchase two-component compositions, since when dry they provide a more durable, moisture-resistant coating than one-component options.

One of the most popular are water-based parquet varnishes.

This varnish includes its composition microscopic particles solvent and emulsifiers mixed with water, so it dries somewhat differently than materials on other bases. After the composition is applied to the primed surface, water first evaporates from it and only then the solvent, which undergoes a concentration process before evaporation. Further, after its evaporation, a hard and durable film is formed on the surface of the parquet.

Water-based varnishes can be divided into three categories based on their solvent content:

The first of them includes compositions where this component is completely absent;
the second category includes water-based varnishes containing no more than 5% solvent;
the third category contains solvent at a rate of 15%.

All three categories of varnishes, regardless of the amount of solvent in them, have good adhesive properties with wooden surfaces, and therefore are excellent for both solid boards and parquet.

It must be said that water-based varnishes must be applied to the primed surface of the parquet, in order to avoid penetration of the varnish between the dies. Moisture, getting between them, can be absorbed by the wood and subsequently lead to creaking in the parquet. By the way, according to many craftsmen, you should not use water-based varnishes at all for parquet floors, since there is always a risk of an unpleasant squeak, even if a primer was previously used.

These varnishes also have a number of other significant disadvantages that you need to be aware of when purchasing the material:

One-component water-based varnishes, consisting of water, solvents and emulsifiers, have low wear resistance and therefore wear out quickly. Two-component varnishes have a longer service life and perfectly protect the wood surface, but only if this composition is applied in a room where the humidity is 50%. Such an atmosphere in rooms cannot always be achieved, especially in winter when the heating is on.
To ensure that the surface of the water-based varnish is smooth after drying, it must be applied using a roller, since tampons, sponges, spatulas and even brushes are absolutely not suitable for this process.

The pronounced positive qualities of water-based varnishes include the following:

The absence of unpleasant pungent odors, such as from varnishes made with organic solvents - this factor especially attracts owners of apartments with a small volume of space. However, you don’t need to think that the varnish has absolutely no odor - it is still present, but not as strong and pungent as other compositions.
Water-based varnishes are not flammable, so they are used in rooms where, according to fire safety rules, it is prohibited to coat surfaces with compositions based on flammable substances.

There is one more secret that is good to know before buying water-based varnish. If you purchase a professional varnish, then it can be applied to unprimed surface. If the packaging does not indicate the “professional” category of a particular composition, then treating the floor with a primer before applying it is necessary.

Alkyd varnishes

Alkyd varnishes are made on the basis of resins obtained from natural raw materials by transesterification vegetable oils, glycerin and rosin, alcohols and acids. Due to the presence of oils in their composition, varnishes have the ability to be absorbed into the structure of the wood, thereby creating its reliable protection from external mechanical damage and exposure to moisture.

Alkyd compositions also contain quite toxic substances, such as white spirit, so when buying this product for parquet, you need to choose a composition with the lowest concentration of this substance. Like any other varnish option, alkyd has its positive and negative qualities, which you need to know about when purchasing this product for finishing parquet.

Glossy and semi-gloss, semi-matte and matte types of alkyd varnishes are produced, from which you can choose the one that is more suitable for a particular application.

The positive properties of alkyd varnishes include:

Deep penetration of the substance into the structure of the surface being coated.
The alkyd composition enhances the textured beauty of wood, giving it an aesthetic appearance.
The varnish has a viscous consistency, so it does not flow between the dies, which means that after the coating dries, there will be no squeaking when walking on the parquet.
It is not affected by changes in temperature and humidity, and also has high resistance to mechanical stress.

The negative properties of the compositions include the following points:

The varnish applied to the surface takes a long time to dry and requires special drying conditions.
Drying the varnish must be carried out at not too high temperatures, as this process can take a long time, therefore, when a film forms on the varnish, it is best to create a small draft by opening doors and windows;
Since the consistency of the varnish is quite thick, when applying it to the surface you need to carefully monitor the thickness of the layer, otherwise when it dries, wrinkles may form in places where the layer is thicker;
Alkyd varnishes are characterized by rapid abrasion, so the coating will often have to be renewed. In a word, this type of varnish is more suitable for covering furniture than flooring.

The coating turns out beautiful, but, alas, it is short-lived

If you want to get a high-quality and durable parquet coating, then it is better to refuse alkyd varnishes, even though they also have certain advantages, which have already been mentioned.

Polyurethane varnishes

The polyurethane type of varnish is excellent for rooms with high traffic intensity, as it is extremely wear-resistant and has high adhesive properties. This type of parquet covering material can be one- or two-component, and is marked PUR and DD.

"Champions" in wear resistance - polyurethane varnishes

Polyurethane varnishes can be made on different bases - urethane or acrylic. Depending on the base, the compositions have different smells, but, unfortunately, all of them are not very pleasant. Since polyurethane varnish contains no water at all, it dries much faster than the water-soluble version. The hardening of this varnish begins with the evaporation of the solvents included in its composition. Then a chemical process of polyaddition undergoes, as a result of which the varnish hardens.

During the period of applying the composition to the parquet, as well as when it dries, it should not come into contact with water. Parquet wood should have a moisture content of no more than 6-8%, but if it exceeds this figure, the work can be spoiled by the appearance of air bubbles, peeling or even foaming. As a result, defects will be clearly visible on the surface of the parquet.

The polyurethane composition of the varnish, like all others, has its advantages, but has almost no negative qualities.

The positive aspects of the polyurethane composition include the following:

After the coating hardens, it becomes moisture resistant, as it forms a kind of film on the surface of the parquet.
The resulting film is quite elastic and does not tighten the surface structure of the parquet wood.
This coating does not require preparation of the parquet surface with primers.
After hardening and polymerization, the coating does not respond to changes in temperature and humidity in the room.
Parquet coated with polyurethane varnish is perfectly protected from mechanical influences and abrasive loads.

We can say that this varnish has one significant drawback - if it gets into the cracks of the parquet, it glues its individual elements together, which is generally undesirable for such a coating.

Otherwise, the polyurethane varnish version can be called the best for covering parquet, since it is suitable for rooms with any intensity of load.

Video: water-soluble two-component varnish for parquet based on polyurethane

Formaldehyde varnishes

There are also two-component parquet varnishes on sale, one of the components of which is an acid or formaldehyde hardener. Such varnishes are considered the most durable and reliable.

However, even just the name of the composition is frightening, since a substance such as formaldehyde is dangerous to human health.

It should be noted that this element in the varnish plays the role of a hardener. When the varnish completely hardens, there is no longer a trace of this dangerous component left in it. During the hardening process, formaldehyde evaporates, so working with this varnish is necessary with the mandatory use of respiratory protection (a respirator), and the drying process should be carried out with the windows open.

The advantages of formaldehyde varnishes are as follows:

They have excellent adhesion to wood;
It is possible to apply varnish with any tool convenient for the master.
This coating does not require preliminary priming work, which allows saving on pre-treatment of parquet;
The material is highly resistant to changes in humidity and temperature;
This varnish coating is wear-resistant to all types of loads.

Negative properties of varnishes containing formaldehyde:

This type of varnish easily flows into the cracks between the dies, as it has a fairly liquid consistency;
The composition initially has an unpleasant, pungent odor and is quite toxic, so you will have to take precautions when applying it.

Find out if there is one and how to choose a suitable model from our new article.

When choosing a specific varnish composition for covering parquet, you should get additional advice from salespeople directly in the store and carefully study the annotation located on the packaging. Based on the characteristics that this publication introduced you to, it will be easier to understand the intricacies of the choice and make a truly successful purchase.

Video: the right choice of paints and varnishes for wooden and parquet floors

Parquet dies are usually made without a finishing coating. After installation, such a floor must be covered with a protective layer, since without it it will not last even a year. Among the various means for treating dies, wear-resistant parquet varnish is more popular than oil or wax. This is due to the beauty of the surface, high durability of the coating and ease of care. Due to the wide variety of varnish compositions, consumers often have the question of which varnish to choose for parquet. We will tell you how to choose a good varnish for varnishing parquet.

Criteria for choosing parquet varnish

If you don’t know which varnish to choose, then the answer to this question will be given by the master who will varnish the parquet. But if you cover the floor yourself, then you will have to choose the product without outside help. Before deciding how to varnish your floor, pay attention to the following factors that influence the choice of product:

First of all, consider the purpose of the room and assess future loads on the floor. For a bedroom or nursery, a varnish with low wear resistance is suitable, since people often walk barefoot or wear soft house shoes. But for a corridor or kitchen you will need a product with high wear resistance.
There are compositions that give the floor a certain color (colored varnish), and transparent ones that only emphasize the natural beauty of the wood.
Consider the application method, as some mixtures are viscous or runny.
Think about what kind of surface you want to get - matte, semi-matte or gloss.
Varnishing parquet flooring in public institutions must not only be wear-resistant to prevent rapid abrasion, but also moisture-resistant. The resistance of the surface to water is important, because the floor will have to be washed frequently.

Types of varnishes for parquet

All varnish mixtures differ in their technical characteristics:

by chemical composition they are water-soluble, primer, alkyd, formaldehyde-based and polyurethane-based;
by technological properties the compositions differ in the method of application, viscosity and fluidity;
mixtures can be completely transparent or tinted dies in a certain color;
the compositions are different according to service life, resistance to the external environment, ultraviolet radiation and mechanical stress;
by shine intensity There are semi-gloss, glossy, semi-matte, matte and silky-matte mixtures.

Primer varnishes

Primers are applied under the coating of dies and are needed to improve adhesion to parquet. They are needed for:

improving the quality of the finishing layer;
to give an even shade to wood;
to reduce the gluing of dies at the ends;
reducing the penetrating power of varnish and reducing its consumption;
for exotic breeds with a high oil content;
to protect parquet from water residues.

Important! The primer mixture must be compatible with the finish coat. For example, a water-based varnish will require a water-based primer. Otherwise, the surface will become stained.

Primers dry completely within three hours. Choose a primer from the same manufacturer as the varnish composition.

Alkyd varnishes

These are compositions based on alkyd resins made from natural raw materials. Due to the high oil content, the material easily penetrates into the wood structure. The composition may also contain white spirit, which reduces the toxicity of the product.

Advantages of mixtures:

emphasize the natural beauty of wood products;
the composition does not flow into the cracks and does not glue the dies;
resistant to mechanical loads and changes in indoor environmental characteristics.

Flaws:

if you need a quick-drying material, then this composition is not suitable, since it is very demanding on the humidity and temperature in the room (you will have to open windows and doors to dry);
Do not apply a thick layer, as wrinkles appear;
low wear resistance.

Water-based varnishes for parquet

Water-based parquet varnish consists of water and emulsifiers. Aqueous varnish composition comes without solvent, with a solvent content of 5 and 15%. This composition adheres well to the wooden base of the die and gives a durable and hard coating. But it easily penetrates into the gaps between the dies, which will lead to squeaking over time.

Advantages of water-based mixtures:

if you need a quick-drying water-based parquet varnish, then this option is suitable for you, since the varnish layer dries quickly;
during application and as the coating dries, there is no unpleasant odor in the room;
Suitable for fire hazardous areas where the use of flammable solvent-based materials is prohibited.

Flaws:

low wear resistance, so the scope of use is somewhat limited;
For application, use only rollers (brushes, spatulas, tampons and sponges are not suitable).

Polyurethane varnishes

If you need a quick-drying, odorless parquet varnish, then a polyurethane composition is ideal. It is used for high traffic areas. The coating is very durable and adheres well to the base.

Depending on the number of components it contains, polyurethane varnish for parquet can be:

one-component – these are PUR compositions;
two-component - this is what DD mixtures are called.

Flavorings are usually added to the mixture to get rid of the unpleasant odor. Acrylic composition, solvent, polyurethane can be used as a base. Two-component and one-component water-free parquet varnish dries much faster than water-based mixtures.

Important! If you need a high-quality parquet varnish that dries quickly and is odorless, the price starts at $20.

After applying the mixture and while it dries, it is important to protect the surface from moisture. For the same reason, the composition is not applied to wood with a moisture content of more than 8%. The advantages of polyurethane compounds include the following:

high elasticity of the seam;
no need to apply primers;
undemanding to humidity and temperature in the room;
during operation, the coating is not afraid of moisture;
Suitable for high traffic areas.

Formaldehyde varnishes

Acid curing mixtures are considered the most wear-resistant and durable. The product is made on the basis of formaldehyde resins, which quickly evaporate after drying and do not cause harm to human health.

The advantages of these varnish compositions:

high adhesion to wood base;
the material is resistant to changes in environmental characteristics;
Any tool is suitable for application;
do not need to use a primer.

Their disadvantages:

the pronounced odor and toxicity force you to wear protective equipment;
flows between the dies and glues them together.

Parquet is a timeless, reliable and very aesthetic floor covering. It makes the interior refined, gives it charm and gives the warmth of natural wood. The secret of its beauty and durability lies not only in the choice of durable wood, but also in the correctly selected means of protecting it. The main and main one is parquet varnish.

Types of parquet varnishes

Paint and varnish coatings for parquet differ in a large number of parameters:

according to the chemical composition of the base;
on resistance to external influences;
by the appearance of the finished coating;
according to the technological characteristics of the material;
according to the degree of safety for people and the environment, etc.

How to choose varnish for parquet? First of all, it should be based on where it will be used: for a sports facility or a museum exhibition hall, you need a very durable and damage-resistant paint material, and for a child care facility or residential apartment, it needs something safe and easy to use.

The result of high-quality work exceeds all expectations

Acid-curing varnishes

These are the most durable paint coatings based on formaldehyde resins. They are used in those facilities where special strength is required from the floor covering.

One-component and two-component varnish for acid-curing parquet are available. The latter consists of the paint and varnish composition itself and the hardener, which are mixed with each other before work.

Technical properties of acid-curing varnish:

excellent adhesion, no prior priming required;
has low sensitivity to air temperature and humidity in the room;
when applying varnish, the wood acquires light, natural shades;
has strong adhesive ability;
can be applied equally well with a brush, roller, spray gun, or spatula;
During work, it is necessary to protect the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth with a respirator.

When working with acid-curing varnishes, personal protection is required.

Water-soluble varnishes

Which parquet varnish is best to use in children's rooms, classrooms, and living spaces? For these purposes, varnish based on acrylic dispersion is most suitable. It consists of tiny particles of a binder evenly distributed in water.

Water-soluble varnishes have many advantages. If you need odorless parquet varnish, you should use them. Therefore, they are recommended for rooms where children or people with poor health are constantly present. They are also used when there is a risk of fire in the paintwork. However, these materials also have negative sides. The main one is the low wear resistance of water-soluble varnishes. To increase it, solvents, for example, polyurethane dispersions, are added to paints and varnishes. Also, these varnishes are quite demanding on the quality of the tools: they need high-quality rollers. The water component of the paint and varnish coating causes the surface of the wood to “fuzz”, therefore, when using water-soluble varnishes, a preliminary primer is required. When applying varnish, the room must have a constant temperature above 150 ° C and a humidity of at least 50%.

Professional brush for parquet varnish

Polyurethane varnishes

If the floor covering must be resistant to abrasion and damage, polyurethane varnishes provide excellent results. They also come in one- and two-component types – the so-called. PUR and DD varnishes. These materials are based on acrylic dispersions, urethane resins and solvents.

Polyurethane varnishes are used on surfaces subject to strong mechanical stress - abrasion, chemicals, etc. They are used to cover the floors of sports facilities, restaurants, kitchens, cafes, etc.

Most polyurethane varnishes do not raise the “pile” of the wood, so they do not require preliminary priming. The coating is highly elastic and durable; depending on the type of solvent, such a varnish can preserve the natural color of the wood or “set fire” to it, i.e. enhance the contrast of dark veins.

There are one- and two-component polyurethane varnishes. Polyurethane varnishes are mainly used for wood processing

One of the positive qualities of polyurethane varnishes can also be called undemanding to application conditions - temperature and humidity. The coating is moisture- and light-resistant, not afraid of chemically active substances.

Alkyd varnishes

These paints and varnishes are based on oils, which are produced from raw materials of natural origin, penetrating deeply into the thickness of the wood. The solvent for such varnishes is white spirit.

The property of alkyd varnishes is to change the color of the wood: it becomes brighter, the veins become clearer. These materials do not have adhesive ability, so they are used when the floor covering is subject to significant temperature or humidity expansion. The downside of alkyd varnishes is their special dependence on drying conditions. During this period, the coating must be protected from heating by sunlight and heating radiators, and a constant change of air must be provided for the flow of oxygen, which is needed for hardening of the varnish film. It is also important not to apply the varnish too thickly - this will cause it to warp.

In everyday life, alkyd varnishes are mistakenly called oil varnishes. This is not true

If you have already decided what varnish to cover the parquet with, you need to find out whether the surface needs priming.

In what cases are primer varnishes used:

if you need to preserve the natural color of the wood, avoid “setting it on fire”, i.e. more contrasting shade of veins;
to reduce the effect of gluing of individual parquet blocks due to the flow of varnish between them;
to prevent the wood “pile” from rising due to the ingress of water contained in the base paint coating;
to improve the adhesion of the varnish to the base.

Thanks to the use of a primer, the penetration of the main paint coating into the thickness of the wood is reduced. This allows you to reduce material consumption when applying the base layer. The drying time for primer varnishes is less than for base varnishes, ranging from half an hour to 3 hours.

It has good adhesive properties when applied to wooden surfaces and forms a viscoelastic film. The positive qualities of water-soluble varnish include:

low concentration of solvent vapors in the air at the time of coating the parquet with varnish, since water-soluble varnishes for parquet either do not contain solvents at all, or their concentration is up to 5% and up to 15%;
the ability to cover parquet while other people are in the room, since the smell of water-soluble varnish is felt to a lesser extent than;
the non-flammability of the varnish allows the use of water-soluble varnish where other types of varnish cannot be used due to the danger of explosion or fire.

Negative properties of water-soluble varnish for parquet

low wear resistance compared to other types of varnishes. To increase the wear resistance of water-based varnish, special additives are added to it. Such an additive for water-soluble varnish for parquet with normal loads, polyurethane acrylic dispersion is often used, and for parquet with increased loads, a modified polyurethane dispersion based on fatty acids is used;
water-soluble varnishes are very capricious to the microclimate of the room, especially at the time of application: they require relatively constant air humidity, more than 50% for normal polymerization, which, unfortunately, is not always possible to provide, for example, in the season when central heating is turned on, but there is no air in the room humidifier;
water-based varnish should be applied only with a roller, but not with a brush, swab or spatula;
in addition to constantly maintained room humidity, water-based varnish also requires a stable ambient temperature above 15-18 ° C, in addition, freezing of the varnish is unacceptable when storing the varnish;
When applied, the water-soluble varnish seals the side joints of the parquet planks. By using a primer, the adhesive properties can be reduced, but it cannot be completely eliminated.

In order to apply correctly water-soluble varnish for parquet, the surface must first be primed, especially such capricious tree species as pine, hornbeam or beech. Designed to protect edges from warping and prevent ragged edges on parquet planks. As a rule, it is attached to the varnish by the manufacturer himself.

In most cases water-soluble varnish for parquet is a dispersion formed by small droplets of a binder, distributed evenly throughout the volume of water. After applying the varnish to the parquet, the first thing that happens is the water evaporates, and the concentration of the film-forming component in the dispersion increases until, at a certain moment, the film-forming component begins to dissolve droplets of the binder. Only after this does the film-forming component completely evaporate. The film of water-soluble varnish finally dries and hardens.

Parquet flooring is the most luxurious option available. At the same time, it is also the most demanding in terms of care. Without reliable varnish coating, wood quickly loses its attractive appearance and useful properties. The range of varnishes is large, so first you need to figure out on what criteria you should choose one or another type.

Which parquet varnish to choose?

First of all, the choice of composition for treatment depends on the functional purpose of the room, as well as on the expected load on the floor. If there are only a couple of inhabitants in the room, they wear soft slippers and generally treat the parquet with care, you can choose parquet varnish designed for minimal load. If we are talking about a corridor or living room, where activity is higher and crowds of people are more likely, it is better to choose the varnish for parquet that will protect it from all these tests, as well as from various dirt.

Depending on the desired result, you can always choose which varnish is best for parquet, based on the properties of different compositions. Varnishes are distinguished according to the following parameters:

chemical composition - water-soluble, primer, alkyd, polyurethane, etc.;
technological properties: viscosity, fluidity, method of application;
appearance: matte, glossy, colorless, colored;
resistance to mechanical stress and service life.

Water-based varnish for parquet

After you have applied the primer varnish, which is necessary to enhance the adhesion of the base varnish to the parquet board and reduce the consumption of the finishing coat, it is time to begin the main treatment of the floor. The simplest and most inexpensive option is. It contains emulsifiers, water and solvents. The concentration of solvents can vary - from 5 to 15%, although there are compositions that do not contain them at all.

The advantages of water-soluble varnish are a neutral odor and its moderation, increased fire safety, and good protection of parquet from water. You also need to take into account the disadvantages of water-based varnish for parquet. First of all, this is the low wear resistance and fragility of the coating. This type of varnish also requires special tools for application. In addition, not all types of wood are suitable for it. For example, beech, hornbeam and pine do not accept water-soluble varnish.

Polyurethane varnish for parquet

This type of coating is more suitable for rooms with high traffic, since this varnish is extremely durable and has excellent adhesive properties to wood. The composition can be one- or two-component. In both cases, the composition includes various aromatic compounds, giving it a more tolerable smell. The base of the varnish may contain urethane, acrylic or solvents.

The advantages of waterless varnishes are that you can immediately coat the parquet with varnish without prior priming, as well as their elasticity and unpretentiousness in terms of the indoor microclimate during operation. The disadvantages concern only the varnish application process: it is important to prevent water from getting on the floor until it is completely dry, otherwise bubbles and foam may appear.

Acrylic varnish for parquet

It is a special varnish, it is based on a dispersion of plastic and acrylic material, which can be completely dissolved in water. Thanks to this combination, the varnish, after drying, forms a durable protective film with unique properties and characteristics that can protect not only from mechanical influences, but also from aggressive external factors. Depending on the binder, one-component and two-component parquet varnish can be distinguished. In the first case, the binder is only acrylic, in the second - a group of substances, such as acrylic and polyurethane.

Among the undeniable advantages of acrylic varnish are its resistance to temperature changes, high thermal conductivity and moisture resistance, increased mechanical stability and ultraviolet resistance, strength and wear resistance, harmlessness and almost complete absence of odor. It has practically no disadvantages. Acrylic-based varnish can be used both indoors and outdoors. Its high antiseptic characteristics guarantee the safety of surfaces from fungus, mold and other destructive influences.

Formaldehyde varnish for parquet

This type of coating belongs to the group of the most resistant. It contains formaldehyde resins, which evaporate after the varnish dries, so there is no need to worry about its health hazard. But they can be confidently used in those rooms where, due to increased requirements for strength and wear resistance, you do not know what varnish to coat the parquet with. Formaldehyde varnish can be one- or two-component. The second is mixed with hardeners containing acid or organic acids, after which a catalytic reaction starts and formaldehyde begins to evaporate as condensate.

The advantages of this parquet varnish are high adhesion to the surface, excellent resistance to sudden changes in humidity and temperature in the room, increased strength and wear resistance. It can be applied with any tools; no primer is required. Among the shortcomings, the most noticeable is the strong smell, which disappears only on the third day, as well as the mandatory presence of a respirator during work.

Alkyd-urethane varnish for parquet

As the name suggests, this is a two-component varnish for parquet, which contains alkyd and urethane components, and they are diluted with an organic solvent. It is used to treat wooden surfaces both with fresh wood and those that have previously been treated with varnish. The only limitation is that this type of varnish cannot be used in saunas, steam rooms and other rooms where the humidity is excessive.

The positive aspects of this varnish are the attractive appearance of the treated surfaces, quick drying, high wear resistance and hardness of the coating, easy application and uniform distribution, resistance to household chemicals and dirt. The varnish has virtually no odor, does not require prior application of a primer, and during the deformation of the boards, it does not crack due to its good elasticity. Among the disadvantages, the varnish cannot be applied in direct sunlight or in the presence of a draft, and the coating will have to be renewed after 5-10 years, depending on the intensity of the exposure.

The best varnish for parquet in an apartment

In a residential area, it is advisable to use a quick-drying parquet varnish that has minimal odor. Although formaldehyde varnishes have increased strength, the evaporated substances are by no means useful. Water-based varnish is more environmentally friendly, although less wear-resistant. Although modern water-based varnishes with the addition of acrylic-urethane or acrylic-polyurethane have very decent performance characteristics. However, in addition to purely chemical characteristics, you should choose a varnish based on the external properties of the final repair result.

Colorless varnish for parquet

The best varnish for parquet if you want to highlight the natural beauty of wood is a colorless acrylic-based latex varnish. It forms a high-gloss coating on parquet with excellent decorative properties. It can also be a varnish based on water or synthetic resins. In any case, the coating is completely transparent, preserving the natural color of the wood and its texture. Sometimes the varnish contains light tinting elements that give the wood a barely noticeable tint - yellow, brown or amber.

Colored varnish for parquet

Tinted parquet varnish helps give the floor the desired shade. Water-based colored varnishes are the latest products on the paint and varnish market. They solve several problems at the same time - they protect the wood from moisture, insects and other unfavorable factors, give it a more attractive appearance, and paint it in the desired shade. The only point that needs to be taken into account: in the most trafficked areas, the parquet varnish and the color of the coating will wear off over time, forming lighter spots and “paths”, which is why you will have to completely re-open the floor.

White varnish for parquet

If you want to get the effect of bleached wood, you can use a wide variety of means and methods. This includes a primer, oil and white wax, white stain, and others. All of them are united by the end result - the floor acquires a white tint, which has become very popular in modern interiors. Existing types of parquet varnish also allow us to use them when we want to whiten the floor. By applying one or another number of layers, you can achieve different tinting results.

Matte varnish for parquet

Designers and parquet specialists have a very clear attitude towards glossy varnish - it highlights all the imperfections of the parquet, they simply “stick out” from it. Also, over time, the gloss becomes shabby, especially in places where it is actively used. Therefore, matte light or dark varnish for parquet is still more preferable. On the contrary, it hides all existing shortcomings. In addition, it is easier to work with, since during the application process it does not require strict adherence to conditions such as humidity levels, temperature, cleanliness, etc., as when working with gloss.