It’s no secret that the finishes on prefinished hardwood floors tend to be harder and more resilient than the finishes on site-finished hardwood. Site-finished floors are generally finished with polyurethane, wax, or oil. They’re then allowed to air dry. You’ll need to reapply that finish occasionally depending on the type of finish and the amount of wear on it. Prefinished floors are finished in a factory and then cured with heat. They’re much more resilient and last longer. There is now a middle ground for those who need to install or repair their floors quickly while also getting a finish that is very long-lasting. That middle ground is UV curing.
What Is UV Curing?
A UV cured floor (arboritec makes uv curing finish) is one that is finished with a proprietary sealant. At the moment, most companies have their own UV curing machines and their own finishes. The finishes are typically water-based. The UV machine uses heat and UV light to evaporate the water and cure the sealant. The cured sealant is generally regarded as more chemically and physically resistant than typical site finishes. It will last longer than polyurethane or oil. Also it will resist scratching more. Finally, UV cured finishes are said to resist chemicals such as vinegar, citric acid, and common household cleaners. If you have a polyurethane finish, there are a series of chemicals you should not use on it if you want the finish to last as long as possible. You’ll have more versatility with a UV finish.
What Are the Downsides?
The biggest downsides to UV finishes are the expense and the limited options. Polyurethane, finishing oil, or wax are available at basically every flooring store, flooring supplier, or hardware store. You can find dozens of different brands, colors, and styles. With the newer UV technology, only certain companies even offer it. If they do, they offer a limited range of their proprietary options. So you’ll be limited to choosing from what that company has available.
Because there is less competition and the process is more involved, it will also likely cost you more money. Since the floors are more resistant to damage, they might end up saving you money in the long run. However, in the interim, you will have to spend more money upfront.
If you need to have your floor finished and useable again in a couple of hours, UV curing could be the option. It’s great for places like hospitals or businesses that have a short turnaround time from closing to opening.