Finish Options
There are several different high-quality finish options that we offer our clients.
Our entry level finish system includes Pallmann Pall-X 96 Waterborne Finish. Don’t let the term “entry level” fool you. This is an excellent quality, durable, residential and light commercial waterborne floor finish. It is not UV sensitive so it won’t amber over time, allows light foot traffic in approximately 4 hours and has a deep rich appearance. Waterborne finishes are more environmentally friendly than traditional polyurethane finishes, both for the applicator and the consumer, dissipating less volatile compounds during the drying and curing process. Pall-X 96 is fully cured in 7 days. It is a 3 coat system consisting of 1 coat of Pall-X Build Waterborne Sealer and 2 coats of Pall-X 96 finish. We recommend this finish for less active households. Typically, if you don’t have children and pets, then this finish is a great option for you.The next level of finish we commonly use is Glitsa Gold Seal. This is a Swedish formulated finish designed for use in high traffic residential homes. It has a unique combination of durability, scratch and scuff resistance, clarity and grain definition, giving the wood a vibrant rich color. We apply 3 ample coats to give your floors outstanding protection. Glitsa is American Made right here in Seattle. This finish is walkable after 24 hours and maximum cure time is 60-90 days. We highly recommend this finish for active households, those with children and dogs.
Our premium finish system includes Pallmann Pall-X 98 Waterborne Finish. It is a 2 component commercial grade waterborne finish ideal for heavy-use residential and commercial applications. It is not UV sensitive so it won’t amber over time, allows light foot traffic in about 4 hours and is fully cured in 4 days. This is a 4 coat system consisting of 1 coat of Pall-X Build Waterborne Sealer and 3 coats of Pall-X 98 finish. Being a waterborne finish, it is more environmentally friendly than traditional polyurethanes, dissipating less volatile compounds during the drying and curing process. We typically recommend this finish in commercial settings like office buildings or hair salons, or in active households where the best protection is desired or needed.
Many people have unrealistic expectations of what a floor finish can do. Floor finish is ‘wear resistant’ and not impact resistant. The density of the wood floor itself is what resists impact. A high-quality finish will not prevent impact, but will flex somewhat and not break the seal of the impacted area. This is how you want the finish to perform in these situations. There is no floor finish on the market that will be able to stop wood from denting if a heavy object is dropped on it.
You will also find that with any given finish applied to a floor surface that in direct sunlight one may see what we call ‘micro abrasion.’ This would primarily be seen in the high traffic areas. This is normal, as even lowly dust is considered an abrasive and we both know how easy it is to get our floors dusty. Surface abrasion can be seen from a specific angle and under precise lighting conditions. But it’s not a sign that the finish has worn through, simply that you are now living and walking on it. This is to be expected and normal.
