Advantages and Disadvantages of Floor Varnishes

Advantages and disadvantages of Varathane varnishes 

Advantages	Disadvantages
Greater molecular flexibility	Less resistant than urethane varnishes
Higher resin concentration	Strong and unpleasant odour
Thicker finish	Turns yellow over time
Easy application	Dries slowly
Inexpensive to purchase	Allowed to contain up to 450 g VOC/L
Available in one brightness level (glossy)	Requires the wearing of a mask
Bright finish	Masks the grain of the wood
Easy to find	Toxic and harmful to your health
	Requires the relocation of the residents
	Contaminates food

 

Advantages and disadvantages of Crystal varnishes 

Advantages	Disadvantages
Higher durability	Strong and unpleasant odour
Inexpensive to purchase	Contaminates food
Thick finish	Turns yellow over time
Masks defects	Allowed to contain up to 450 g VOC/L
Available in several gloss levels	Reacts on contact with silicone, glue, and wax
Resistant to abrasion	Block effect
Now available in a bright version	Difficult application
Easy to find	Requires the relocation of the residents
Relative humidity rate between 50 and 80%	Masks the grain of the wood
	Contaminates food

 

Advantages and disadvantages of alcohol-based varnishes 

Advantages	Disadvantages
Resistant to UV rays and doesn’t turn yellow	Strong and toxic odour
Dries through oxidation with the air with a catalyst	Allowed to contain up to 725 g VOC/L
Exceptional finish	Low resistance to abrasion
Brings out the natural grain of the wood	Requires the use of a full mask
Low risk of reaction	Requires the relocation of the residents
Inexpensive to purchase	Hazardous to your health
Dries quickly	Difficult application

 

Advantages and disadvantages of hybrid varnishes 

Advantages	Disadvantages
Anti-yellowing UV filter	React to moisture
Dry to the touch after about 2 hours	Contain less solid(resin)than oil-based varnishes
Eco-friendly	Costly to purchase
Scent similar to latex paint	Require professional services
Low toxicity and harmless to your health	Possibility of reaction withglues, waxes, and silicones
Low VOC concentration: approximately 220 g VOC/L	Can stain the woodif they’re not appliedappropriately
Can be applied without a mask	Resistant to abrasion
Have aluminum oxide technology	Provide colour to wood floors
Adapt better to the movements of the wood

  

Advantages and disadvantages of latex varnishes 

Advantages	Disadvantages
Dry to the touch after about 2 hours	Costly to purchase
Eco-friendly	React to moisture
Scent similar to latex paint	Contain less solid (resin) than oil-based varnishes
Low toxicity and harmless to your health	Require professional services
Low toxicity and harmless to your health	Possibility of reaction with glues, waxes, and silicones
Low VOC concentration: approximately 235 g VOC/L	Much higher price for a water-based urethane varnish
Can be applied without a mask	Can stain the wood if they’re not applied appropriately
Preserve the natural colour of the wood	Harder to apply in the summer
Have an anti-yellowing UV filter	Water-based urethanes can be catalyzed
Have aluminum oxide technology
Possibility of remaining in your home during the application
Don’t contaminate food
Adapt better to the movements of the wood

*White urethane-based latex varnishes are more resistant to abrasion, but they’re about three times more expensive than acrylic-based varnishes.