Choosing the Right Hardwood Floor Finish for Toronto’s Climate

Choosing the Right Hardwood Floor Finish for Toronto’s Climate

When it comes to choosing the right hardwood floor finish for Toronto’s climate, it is essential to consider various factors. Toronto has a humid continental climate with cold winters and warm summers, which can cause significant changes in the moisture levels of your hardwood floors. Therefore, it is crucial to choose a hardwood floor finish that can withstand Toronto’s climate and protect your floors from damage. In this article, we will discuss the various types of hardwood floor finishes available and the factors to consider when choosing the right finish for your home in Toronto.

Factors to Consider:

1. Moisture Resistance:

Toronto’s climate has high humidity levels throughout the year, which can cause hardwood floors to expand and contract. Therefore, it is crucial to choose a hardwood floor finish that provides adequate moisture resistance to protect your floors from damage. Polyurethane finishes are the most popular choice for their excellent moisture resistance properties.

2. Durability:

Toronto’s climate has harsh winters with frequent snowfall, which means your hardwood floors will be exposed to salt, sand, and other harsh chemicals that can cause damage. Therefore, it is essential to choose a hardwood floor finish that is durable and can withstand wear and tear. Aluminum oxide finishes are known for their exceptional durability and are an excellent choice for high traffic areas.

3. UV Protection:

Toronto’s climate has hot summers with high levels of UV radiation, which can cause your hardwood floors to fade and lose their natural color over time. Therefore, it is crucial to choose a hardwood floor finish that provides adequate UV protection to keep your floors looking new. Water-based finishes are known for their excellent UV protection properties.

4. VOC Emissions:

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are harmful chemicals that can be released from some hardwood floor finishes, which can cause health issues for you and your family. Therefore, it is crucial to choose a hardwood floor finish that has low or zero VOC emissions to protect your health and the environment. Water-based finishes are known for their low VOC emissions and are an excellent choice for those who are sensitive to chemical odors.

Types of Hardwood Floor Finishes:

1. Oil-based Finishes:

Oil-based finishes are the traditional hardwood floor finish and provide excellent durability and moisture resistance. However, they have high VOC emissions and take longer to dry, which can be inconvenient if you need to use the room soon after the floors are finished.

2. Water-based Finishes:

Water-based finishes are becoming increasingly popular due to their low VOC emissions, fast-drying time, and excellent UV protection. However, they are not as durable as oil-based finishes and may require more frequent reapplication.

3. Acid-cured Finishes:

Acid-cured finishes provide exceptional durability and moisture resistance, making them an excellent choice for high traffic areas. However, they have high VOC emissions and require professional application due to their strong chemical composition.

Conclusion:

Choosing the right hardwood floor finish for Toronto’s climate can be a daunting task, but considering the factors mentioned above can help you make an informed decision. It is essential to choose a hardwood floor finish that provides adequate moisture resistance, durability, UV protection, and low VOC emissions to protect your floors from damage and your health. Oil-based finishes provide excellent durability and moisture resistance but have high VOC emissions, while water-based finishes have low VOC emissions and excellent UV protection but are not as durable. Acid-cured finishes provide exceptional durability and moisture resistance but have high VOC emissions and require professional application. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which hardwood floor finish suits your needs and preferences.