MONOTHANE & DUOTHANE FLOORS

INTRODUCTION

While polyurethanes are widely recognised as the most durable surface coatings for floors, they are inevitably subject to wear, particularly when any gritty substance is introduced onto the floor. Grit will act in the same manner as sandpaper, and large particles of grit under shoe,soles or heavy furniture will not only cut through the coating but damage the timber or cork as well.

Furthermore, it is important to understand that the average polyurethane coating system is only about 120 microns (0.12 mm) thick, and therefore cannot prevent indentation of timber when subjected to excessive forces such as occasioned by stiletto heels or certain castor wheels. The incidence of indentation will also be directly related to the density of the timber or cork; that is hardwoods such as Brushbox or Blackbutt are much less predisposed to indentation than softer timbers such as Baltic Pine or Cypress Pine

USING THE FLOOR

Over the first week after the coating is dry it continues to cure –during this period avoid heavy foot traffic by removing shoes before walking on the floor.

 

 

  • Initially (particularly if walking on the floor with bare feet) you may notice footprints, often attributed to a ‘bloom’ from oily timbers.
  • After a few weeks and a number of washes this will gradually stop.The key to successful maintenance of polyurethane treated floors is the exclusion of any gritty substance from the floor. This can be achieved by the placement of a door mat outside each entrance and if possible a softer mat immediately inside each door –this will assist to remove any sand, grit and small stones from shoe-soles/feet, that when walked over the floor is abrasive, acting like sandpaper.
  • Use runners over high traffic areas, and to further enhance the floor you may choose to place a rug or mat over it.
  • However, please note that over time the colour of the uncovered section will become slightly darker than the covered section.If possible, every few months, move the rug or mat a short distance (50 to 150 mm), rotating in each direction of the compass –1st North, 2nd East, 3rd South, 4th West.
  • This will assist to ‘blur’ the contrast between the lighter and darker sections of the floor.
  • Do not put rugs or mats on floors for at least four weeks from the completion of the coating job.
  • Like many finishing or covering products, exposure to direct sunlight will cause discolouration of the floor.
  • To reduce fading and discolouring, filter direct sunlight with curtains or blinds.

WASHING THE FLOOR

Regularly wipe over the floor with an anti static mop or sweep with a soft bristle broom.

 

 

  • We caution against the use of vacuum cleaners, particularly if the bristles are worn as the cleaning head may then scratch the floor.
  • The frequency of cleaning is dependent on the level of traffic, amount of grit carried onto the floor, and activity of children, and pets etc
  • To routinely clean your floor, mix up to one cup of Methylated Spirit (alternatively White Vinegar) into three Litres (1/3 full bucket) of hot water, and mop the floor, regularly rinsing the mop.
  • If the floor is particularly dirty, wash first with a non-abrasive detergent then clean with the Methylated Spirit and water solution –this will prevent streaking and smear marks (often very noticeable on a high gloss floor) that sometimes remain after use of detergents and/or household cleaners.

FLOOR POLISHES

  • Under normal domestic conditions a polyurethane coating will last many years. However, in commercial locations or areas exposed to high traffic levels, it may be necessary to protect the coating with a sacrificial floor polish, i.e. the polish will take the brunt of the wear, and can easily be replenished when necessary.
  • Suitable polishes are those based on a metal-link acrylic polymer, which can be readily removed by washing with ammonia solution if there is an excessive build up in non-traffic areas.
  • These polishes are also suitable in restoring the gloss of a polyurethane floor which has not been excessively worn, but may have scuffed badly.
  • Commercially available floor polishes suitable for polyurethane coated timber and cork floors are –Urethane Coatings Purashine (Gloss or Satin)

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