How to process plank floors. Impregnations for reliable protection of wooden floors. Functional protective compounds - impregnations

A wooden floor is an environmentally friendly and safe floor that maintains a comfortable indoor climate. Unlike synthetic materials, natural wood exudes a pleasant forest scent and does not emit toxic substances. The tree is distinguished by its strength, durability and aesthetic appearance... It is pleasant to the touch and has a beneficial effect on human well-being.

The advantages of a wooden floor:

• Promotes oxygen renewal and maintains a comfortable atmosphere in the home;
• Durable and reliable coating;
• Long service life;
• Safety and environmental friendliness. The material does not emit hazardous substances and does not cause allergies. Wood, on the contrary, has a positive effect on the state and mood of a person;
• Availability;
• Good heat and sound insulation;
• Durable and repairable. If necessary, you can easily replace damaged floor areas yourself.

Despite positive properties, wood needs protection and processing. Natural raw materials are susceptible to the negative effects of moisture and insects. Without special products, the coating will gradually crack and rot. Protective compounds will protect living material from such problems. They will not only extend the service life, but also improve the appearance of the floor.

Today there are many different products, including varnishes, paints and wax. Wax is rarely used today. It contains beeswax, linseed oil and other additives in small amounts. Such a composition is distinguished by resistance to moisture, but at the same time it does not give effective protection from mechanical damage, including blows of heels, traces of furniture, etc. Therefore, we will take a closer look at paints and varnishes and learn how to properly process a wooden floor.

Lucky

Varnish - effective remedywhich will protect the coating from mold, mildew and insects. It perfectly retains its structure and emphasizes the original appearance of the wood. Varnishes are transparent (glaze) and opaque (topcoat). The transparent coating will retain the natural color of the wood, but will only last 3-5 years. The opaque composition can be renewed every 6-7 years, while it will allow you to achieve the desired shade or gloss of the wood floor.

In addition, the following types of varnishes are distinguished:

• Water-soluble - the most environmentally friendly and safe compound that dries quickly and adheres to the floor surface. But such varnish can be applied only with special rollers, and the coating will have to be renewed at least once every three years;
• Alkyd type is characterized by resistance, durability and a high degree of wood protection. But be prepared that such a varnish dries for two or three days;
• The polyurethane material is durable and therefore suitable for rooms with high mechanical stress. Such varnish is used to treat the floor in the hallway, living room and even in a cafe;
• Formaldehyde varnish guarantees a durable and reliable coating that is resistant to various temperatures. But when painting, it gives off dangerous chemical substancestherefore it is important to work only in a respirator;
• Oil products are more prone to negative impact precipitation and humidity, therefore such varnishes cannot be used to treat the floor in the gazebo or on the terrace. However, they are suitable for interior decoration. wooden house... Oil varnishes are often used to renew old coatings. They revive the wood and make the surface shiny;
• Acrylic varnish forms a transparent shade without yellowing. It is a safe, odorless, long-lasting product. They are moisture resistant and offer a wide range of gloss options. It is advisable to use such funds for rooms with low traffic, including a bedroom, a nursery, etc.

Regardless of the type of varnish, it is important to study the instructions before use and, if necessary, consult a specialist. It is important to understand whether a particular product is suitable for your type of room, type of wood and type flooring... It is important to know how to apply varnish, whether protective equipment is needed when working with the material. Compliance with the rules of selection and staining will allow you to achieve the desired result.

Paints

If you want to give the wood a specific color or shade, choose paints. They also protect wood from moisture and decay, harmful bacteria and insects.

Today manufacturers offer the following types of paint:

• Vinyl paints are used for both exterior and interior wood processing. They are resistant to moisture, have a wide range colors and inexpensive cost. However, such products are not popular among owners of wooden houses, as they release toxic substances harmful to health when evaporated. In addition, the vinyl composition fades and cracks rather quickly;
• Oil products characterize saturated colors and uniform structure, resistance to temperature extremes and low cost. This paint will create a bright and trendy look for a wooden floor. However, such a coating dries for 24 hours. In addition, after 2-3 years you will have to paint the floor again;
• Polyurethane paints, like similar varnishes, are distinguished by wear resistance and long service life. Such materials effectively protect wood, but they are toxic and expensive;
• Alkyd compounds when painting spread bad smellwhich will last for several days even after drying. Among the advantages of such a paint, they distinguish resistance to moisture and precipitation, temperature extremes and other negative factors;
• Water-based acrylic paints are in great demand today due to their resistance to high humidity, frost and ultraviolet light. They have a long service life of up to 10 years! Manufacturers offer a wide range of colors, which includes two thousand different shades. It is a safe and environmentally friendly formulation that does not fade. Therefore, acrylic materials are effectively used for painting facades.

Wood floor paint is primarily selected for its environmental friendliness. Therefore, water-based alkyd compounds will be the best remedy. They will protect the wood and give the floor a noble look. Moreover, due to the stability and durability, the coating will not have to be painted more often than once every 8-10 years!

How to paint a wooden floor correctly

A rational option would be to paint the wooden floor first with paint and then with varnish. Coating with one varnish will not provide adequate protection for wood from mechanical damage. But a varnish of better quality than finishing will fix the coating with paint, give the desired shine and look to a new fresh floor.

Before painting the floor, you need to prepare the surface. Remove dust and dirt from wood. If the floor has been painted before, remove the old coating with a trowel or sandpaper. Then the surface is sanded, gaps and gaps are eliminated with a putty. Before painting, a new wooden floor can be treated with linseed oil or primer to increase the protective properties and reduce paint costs.

Paint can only be applied to a completely dry surface! The floor is painted with a roller, spray gun, for hard-to-reach places use a brush. Please note that a spray gun and a spray can not always achieve an even layer. In addition, he may leave unpainted areas.

They begin to paint from corners, baseboards and other hard-to-reach places. When painting, stir the composition of the paint regularly and do not forget about ventilation. The paint is applied in two layers parallel to the direction of the boards. The second layer is applied only after the previous one has completely dried!

When the paint is dry, the floor can be covered with two to three coats of varnish. Do not forget that you can apply each new layer only when the previous one is dry! Apply paints and varnishes smooth strokes to avoid bumps and unevenness.

Masters of the company "MariSrub" will help you choose suitable means and will answer any question of interest! They will paint inside and outside the house, provide a full range of services for the construction and decoration of buildings from a log.

If wooden floors are made in a residential or non-residential building, then leave them without protective topcoat it would be wrong. Without it, the surface will quickly become dirty, worn out, moldy or damaged by microorganisms. Wood floor processing is carried out using different materials... They not only protect the surface and extend its service life, but also increase the aesthetic properties by giving a matte or glossy shine, a specific color or shade, emphasizing the beauty of the wood grain. To understand how to treat a wooden floor, you need to take into account the purpose of the room, the features of the temperature and humidity regime in it, the properties of the coating.

What is the purpose of processing a wooden floor?

The plank floor in a private house, apartment, on a balcony or in a non-residential building is treated to protect against:

• damage by microorganisms;
• moisture;
• sunlight;
• mold;
• exposure to high and low temperatures.

Wood is especially susceptible to damage by microorganisms and mold in high humidity conditions, so protection against moisture absorption is especially important. When the temperature and humidity in the room change, the wood absorbs and gives up moisture, which causes the material to shrink, swell and deform. Protective impregnation and varnishing to some extent reduce the influence of these negative factors on the material and make the product more stable.

Covering the floor on an unheated balcony, loggia or veranda is necessary to protect it from moisture and sunlight. In addition, any coating reduces the degree of surface contamination, increases its wear resistance and strength.

Types of materials for processing and protection

The following materials are usually used for processing a wooden floor:

• an antiseptic is necessary for all wood products to protect against damage by microorganisms;
• varnishes increase the wear resistance and strength of the surface, protect against moisture;
• oils should be chosen if you want to protect the floor from absorbing dirt, increase its aesthetic characteristics, protect it from moisture and damage by microorganisms;
• after treatment with oils or antiseptic impregnations, wax is often applied, it gives the surface a shine, removes minor irregularities and defects, protects against moisture and damage by microorganisms;
• if you want to cover the surface with a dense color composition, then choose paint, under a thick layer of paint the board is reliably protected from moisture, sun and other negative influences.

Antiseptic impregnation

Primary treatment with antiseptic impregnations is carried out at the stage of lumber harvesting. After that, during the operation of the finished product, such processing is periodically repeated to extend the service life.

An antiseptic for a wooden floor is needed both as a preventive measure and in case of visible damage to wood by mold and bacteria. In this case, the following types of impregnations are used:

1. Water-soluble formulations they are odorless, quick to absorb and easy to apply (even a damp surface can be treated). The formulations are completely non-toxic. They are used in residential and commercial buildings for processing doors, frames, fences and other lumber. The disadvantages include the following:

• water-based antiseptics are not suitable for boards in contact with water;
• do not penetrate deeply.

1. Organic blends are distinguished by deep penetration. They contain many useful supplements. But they have a pungent odor and require preliminary surface preparation before application. Used in damp rooms, such as cellars or baths.
2. Combined products are also on sale.

Important! All antiseptics are divided into transport, which are designed for temporary processing of wood for the period of its transportation and installation, and long-term, designed to protect the product for many decades.

Lucky

This transparent product, after application to the surface and drying, forms a strong transparent film that gives the product a shine, increases the durability of the floor, protects against moisture, decay and mold.

Varnishes are made on the basis of different resins, which are dissolved by volatile compounds. Acrylic copolymers, polyurethane, synthetic and natural resins are used as a base.

The following types of varnishes are used for processing a wooden surface:

1. Water-soluble one- and two-component formulations. The most durable and expensive two-component varnishes. They are distinguished by the absence of odor and quick drying. Such varnishes increase the durability of the floor.
2. Alkyd compounds emphasize the natural beauty of wood, increase the strength of the product. They are not suitable for working in high temperatures, difficult to apply and takes a long time to dry.
3. Polyurethane based mixtures the most durable and durable. After their application, the durability of the floor is significantly increased. The disadvantage of these compositions is that they are applied only to well-dried boards. Otherwise, defects appear on the surface in the form of blisters and bubbles.

Paint

This opaque, durable coating is made on the basis of acrylic, polyurethane or vinyl tetrachloride. Most often, alkyd and acrylic paints are used in homes, which have the following advantages:

• they are very easy and simple to apply;
• the floor surface is easy to care for;
• do not need to use special cleaning products;
• each consumer can choose an affordable product;
• a large selection of colors, which makes it easier to select the coating to match the color of the interior;
• paint layer provided proper care and gentle mechanical action will last more than one year.

Important! The disadvantage of paint is the low aesthetic appeal of the coating in comparison with varnish, oil and wax. Moreover, the paint hides the beauty of the wood, and the coating loses its natural appearance.

Oil impregnation

Oil impregnation for wooden floors differs from varnish in that it does not form a dense impermeable layer on the surface. The oil is absorbed into the upper layers of the wood and increases the moisture resistance of the material and its resistance to wear.

If you have wooden floors in the nursery, it is easy to guess how to process their surface if you study all the features of oil impregnation. The oil fills all the pores of the wood and reduces the possibility of moisture and dirt penetration there. But at the same time, the natural appearance of the material and the beauty of its texture are completely preserved.

Important! There are colorless oils that preserve the natural color of the material, and compounds that give the product a certain shade.

Oil impregnations provide a pleasant, non-slip surface. This type of coverage is suitable for living rooms with low traffic, for example, for bedrooms and children's rooms. But keep in mind that oil treatment will have to be renewed periodically.

Wax

There are special waxes on sale for wood impregnation. They are applied to the surface using special rollers, after which they are carefully rubbed in and sanded with a soft cloth. Waxing is needed to increase the moisture resistance of the floor, giving it beauty and a beautiful shade.

Important! The main disadvantage of wax is its low resistance to mechanical stress.

However, the wax coating is ideal for floors with defects in the form of small cracks, crevices and irregularities, since after it is applied, all these problems are eliminated. The result is an even, smooth and shiny surface.

What determines the choice of means of protection?

Now let's figure out the best way to cover the wooden floors in the house. The use of varnishes should be discarded in the following cases:

• If a wooden surface was previously treated with oil formulations. They cannot be removed even by scraping, as the oil penetrates deep into the structure of the tree. If you apply varnish to such a surface, it will swell and flake off.
• Varnishes are not suitable for rooms with high humidity (bathroom, veranda, balcony).
• Lacquer compositions are not used to treat the floor on open balcony, terrace, veranda or gazebo.

When choosing a flooring, consumers first of all consider natural materials, among which wood is the most popular. Environmental friendliness, attractiveness, quality, reliability and wide application possibilities - these qualities make wood a popular building and finishing material.

But in addition to numerous advantages, wood has a number of disadvantages, among which its poor resistance to external factors stands out. In our article, we will talk about the means and methods of protecting wood from decay.

How to process

The tree is subject to biological destruction, therefore, if it is not processed, then, after a while, decay will surely begin. There are several reasons that cause this kind of trouble:

• high air humidity;
• temperature drops;
• poor drying of raw materials;
• insufficient ventilation;
• freezing;
• the formation of condensation;
• contact with wet soil.

To avoid rotting, you need to resort to prevention even during harvesting and storage. Earlier, when the technologies of wood production could not boast of perfection, the felling of trees for the manufacture of lumber began in the winter, and with the onset of heat, the material was used for private housing construction and the manufacture of floor boards. During this time, the moisture content of the wood decreased significantly. However, today, in the age of progressive technologies, it is no longer required to keep the tree for such a long time, because a technological approach is used to protect it from decay.

Floor protection products

Wood floor treatment involves protecting wood from exposure and moisture penetration by using special waterproofing... If the floor boards are laid on an open veranda, then special paint is used for protection. And in the house, in order to exclude the formation of condensation, you need to create good ventilation and lay a vapor barrier coating, take care of the heat-insulating layer.

Protective equipment

Such formulations serve two useful functions:

1. They preserve wood and thereby prevent dangerous fungi from penetrating into its structure, the effect of which leads to rotting of the tree.
2. They preserve the integrity of the wood, because they do not allow it to crack.

Depending on the components present and the purpose, protective compounds are divided into the following groups:

• Wax-based products.

Water-repellent floor mastic

• Oil based products.

Oil application

• Varnish-and-paint compositions.

Impregnating varnish

Each of these groups has its own properties and characteristics, we will talk about them in more detail.

Paints

The varnish is made to protect the tree and give it a well-groomed look:

• When you need to reliably protect hardwood, use alkyd and polyurethane compounds. Treatment of a wooden floor with these agents creates a reliable protection against cracking for floorboards, and also protects the wooden floor from mechanical stress.

Protection with polyurethane varnish

• For conifers, it is recommended to use an alkyl urethane protective paint and varnish composition. Before covering the floorboards with them, their surface is first treated with acetone to get rid of the resin protruding from the wood.
• If it is required to treat the floor covering from valuable exotic varieties of trees, then it is recommended to use protective compounds for the manufacture of which natural ingredients were used. However, it should be borne in mind that some exotic wood flooring contains substances that interfere with the curing of the varnish, so the floor to be treated must first be primed. To do this, use a special primer for wood, which gives additional protection to the boards and prevents the release of essential oils.

Antiseptic primer

Protective oils

Protective oils are universal formulations that are used for different types of wood. However, on boards for the manufacture of which certain varieties were used, for example, white meranti (merbau), stains may appear white, and this greatly spoils the external attractiveness of the floor. Their appearance is caused by the fact that the oil agent penetrates deep into the structure of the wood and reacts there with certain substances. Therefore, before applying such protection, it is better to first consult with experienced people who will help with choosing the right composition.

Attention! Oils, which are intended for the treatment of wood flooring, provide high-quality protection to the floor and give the boards a pleasant softness to the touch.

However, a floor treated with such a product looks attractive if there are no defects on its surface, because the oil does not hide them. Therefore, before resorting to such protection, it is necessary to prepare the lumber in advance, that is, to cut the floor boards, then subject them to grinding and smoothing. Only then cover the flooring with oil.

Floor protection

Wax

It is a natural remedy and is wisely used in conjunction with oils. When wax is applied, a thin film forms on wooden flooring, which temporarily protects against moisture, but does not protect the floor from damage. In addition, the use of wax is not recommended for those types of wood in which calcium carbonate or silica is present, because the wax will react with them, after which the internal structure of the wood flooring will begin to collapse and thereby cause deformation of the boards.

Functional protective compounds - impregnations

The tree is susceptible to mold, fungus and decay, and rodents and insects also love this material. In addition, wood belongs to the line of fire hazardous materials. However, all this can be avoided if special impregnations are used for protection. If you are interested in how to process the logs, in this case, impregnations will be very useful. Here are the most popular ones:

• Fire retardant impregnations. This type of protection is used in the construction of public buildings. But for the construction of private houses they are used somewhat less often. Among this line are impregnations, which include active salts. When applied, they penetrate deep into the boards, and if a fire occurs, then a gas envelope is formed, which prevents a fire from occurring. However, this will cause the floorboards to char. For fire protection, putties and coloring compounds can also be used, which also prevent an open flame from developing.

Flame retardants

• Mechanical protection or drying of floor boards in specially designed chambers helps to get rid of excess moisture in the lumber, protecting them from destruction. If the floorboards are well dried, then even after many years of service they will not be affected by fungus and mold. To increase the service life of the flooring, it is necessary from time to time in the summer to ventilate the boards through the holes that are specially provided for this in the foundation.
• For reliable protection of a wooden floor, universal antiseptic agents will come to the rescue: Novotex, Pinotex and others. They are very strong chemical agents in the composition of which sulfuric acid is present, it completely excludes the possibility of a decay process. Such a tool is successfully used to process subfloors and logs. However, you should be careful when using, because sulfuric acid is unsafe for humans.
• Water-repellent impregnation. These products provide the floorboards with reliable protection and also prevent the spread of insects.
• Insecticides. Such compounds protect the lumber from pest bugs.

Any such composition is applied to the surface of a wooden floor very carefully. If the floor boards are already processed at the factory, then they do not need additional protection, but "clean" lumber needs high-quality impregnation. Therefore, before buying raw materials or finished lumber, ask the seller if the processing has been done. If yes, then find out for what purpose: from exposure to moisture, fire or fungal attack.

Lag protection from insects

Protective flooring is an important process that must be handled responsibly. However, provide reliable protection wooden floor not enough, you should also think about lags, which are most often attacked by rodents and insects. Lags, like boards, are treated with special means that will provide reliable and high-quality protection. In private housing construction, resin is often used for this purpose, which is strongly heated before application and applied to the log surface. After the resin hardens, it forms a reliable protection for the wood structure and thus protects it from pests.

What impregnations for wood are produced, you will find out by watching this video review:

The tree is beautiful construction material, from which many structural elements in residential construction are made.

It is wood floors that testify to the status of a house or apartment, they create warmth, comfort, fit well into the interior, but are susceptible to the adverse effects of high humidity, pest damage, resulting in their destruction.

What means is it possible to protect a wooden floor? Let's figure it out in the article.

The methods of processing the material made it possible to distinguish the following groups of wooden floors:

• solid board floor (flooring);
• piece parquet;
• parquet board;
• mosaic floor.

In wooden structural elements people are attracted by such qualities as strength, easy installation, environmental friendliness, durability, excellent appearance, adaptation to the interior.

Elements for arranging parquet, parquet boards, the mosaic floor undergoes preliminary antiseptic, moisture-proof and fire-prevention treatment. In contrast, boardwalk is sometimes subject to negative processes that subsequently destroy it.

How to keep moisture out of wood

It is ideal to solve this problem at the stage of material procurement. It will take at least 1 year to dry wood in natural conditions.

The moisture level of wood for use in construction is 15%. Exceeding the threshold threatens premature destruction of the floor.

What contributes to the defeat of the floor by mold, fungi, and then rot? Excessive moisture and disturbance temperature regime: sudden changes from cold to hot temperatures, improper ventilation. It is moisture that causes the further formation of wood rot.

Ways to protect against decay

Harbingers of the decay process are the formation of mold and fungi on the surface. Fungal organisms not only spoil the appearance of the tree, but are also harmful to health and can cause allergic reactions.

Protection of the wooden floor from decay begins in the first hours after harvesting the wood - it is then that it is recommended to process the workpieces by soaking with the use of the "Wood Healer" product, which prevents the formation of blue and mold fungus.

To protect the wooden floor from adverse influences, constructive and chemical methods are used. Constructive is the protection provided by the construction project:

1. Waterproofing and vapor barrier - for indoor floors. The construct is isolated from the influence of soil, metal, concrete, stone - on the one hand, and from the steam generated in the room - on the other.
2. Ventilation. It prevents the accumulation and stagnation of moist air, promotes its exchange and maintains the necessary humidity in the room.
3. Special design solutions: blind areas, drainage systems... In open spaces (verandas, terraces, balconies) canopies, awnings are used.

The chemicals on the market for wood protection are aimed at fighting fungi, decay - varnishes, paints, antiseptics. This group is represented by water-soluble, organic-soluble, oily substances and antiseptic pastes.

There is a group of fire retardants based on liquid glass, which protects the tree from moisture and makes it fire resistant.

Chemicals for protection

To protect the wooden floor from decay, use chemical methods: penetrating and film-forming solutions.

Among the penetrating substances, Aidol Langzeit Lasur stands out - a biocide-free glaze made on the basis of alkyd resins with a wide range of shades.

With its help, it is possible not only to make a finishing opening of the surface, but also to reliably regulate the moisture content of the wood - the solution has water-repellent properties, it is absorbed into the material.

Aidol Langzeit Lasur is used in residential premises, hypoallergenic.

Belinka Interier Sauna is an acrylic resin based film-forming agent. Recommended for use to protect floors in wet rooms (baths, saunas).

The peculiarity of the solution is that it forms a moisture-repellent film on the treated surface. Belinka Interier Sauna, when painted, does not change the pattern of the wood structure, in fact it is a varnish.

It is important to protect not only the visible parts of the floorboards, but also hidden wooden elements - logs, beams. For this is used chemical composition PINOTEX IMPRA is a solution for protecting wood from penetrating moisture.

It contains biocides that prevent mold and blue staining. It is not recommended for use in residential premises, as well as for structures exposed to direct sunlight.

Pirilax-Lux has water-repellent, fire-fighting and insecticidal properties.

Bark beetle - the name of the insect speaks for itself: it feeds on the bark of a tree. If a material with the presence of bark (logs, support beams) is used during construction, pests can settle in it.

The creak of floorboards testifies to the presence of carpenter beetle larvae in the plank floor. The pest requires urgent action, since the larvae are able to turn any wood into dust in a short time.

The woodworm also brings great harm. Its feature is omnivorousness. Sometimes it is possible to get rid of it only if you burn the spoiled wood.

When purchasing building materials, you need to pay attention to the presence of passages formed by larvae.

Modern methods of drying workpieces in high-temperature ovens can ideally protect wood from pest damage.

Prevention measures

Belinka Impregnant is also a versatile agent against fungal mildew and insect pests. It can be used for indoor work.

We have presented a brief overview of methods and means of protecting a wooden floor. It is not at all difficult to do this, and your grandchildren, who inherited it, will enjoy the result of the work. cozy home in perfect condition.

The main enemies of a wooden floor are moisture and all sorts of bacteria and microorganisms. Under the influence of the listed factors, the material of construction begins to rot, loses its original aesthetic properties and serves much less than expected.

To prevent these problems from occurring, the wooden floor must be covered with a special protective compound. Modern market offers a large selection of such products that not only contribute to the increase in durability and other important performance characteristics of wood, but also make its appearance more noble and attractive.

After reviewing the information below, you will get a complete picture of the features of the selection and use of existing formulations, which will allow you to independently cope with the conduct of this event.

Reliable and effective protection wooden structure from harmful external influences can be provided with the help of the following formulations:

Each of the options mentioned will give the wooden floor an attractive appearance, while at the same time ensuring an increase in the resistance of the material to various kinds of influences and loads and contributing to the extension of its service life.

Further, you are invited to familiarize yourself with the description of the main properties of varnish, wax and oil, as well as study the technologies for applying each of these materials. But first, you should definitely understand the procedure for preparing the surface for subsequent processing.

Instructions for preparing a wooden floor for coating

The procedure depends on whether you are working with a new floor or with an already used structure.

New Floor Guide

First of all, check the condition of the fasteners that secure the floorboards. The caps of screws and nails must be "drowned" into the material by about 2-3 mm. Further, the remaining recesses are covered with a sealing agent. Instead, you can use a special putty designed for wood processing. It is important that the color of the material matches the color of the boards as much as possible.

Cover the floor with a starter varnish and let it dry. The drying time is determined by the moisture content of the boards. If the moisture content of the material is more than 12%, the varnish will dry for a very long time - up to several months. If the boards have been well dried, the waiting period will be reduced to 2-3 weeks.

Old Floor Guide

If the boards of the existing flooring are in good condition and do not require replacement, preparation begins by removing the existing layer of paint or other coating. If you find defective boards, be sure to replace them before starting work.

The paint is perfectly removed with a scraper. But buying this unit for a single use is impractical. If your place of residence does not provide such tools for rent, use the old and proven manual method.

Prepare the following:

• iron (preferably one that you do not mind);
• paper. Take with a margin, it will take quite a lot;
• special paint remover;
• electric plane;
• grinder with a nozzle for sanding wooden surfaces;
• several spatulas;
• sandpaper. Practice shows that it is most convenient to work with material with a grain size of 150-180.

Proceed with removing the old paintwork. Put paper on the base, put a well-heated iron on top of it. As a result of this treatment, the paint will lag behind the floor and stick to the sheet. Remove the remaining areas of the coating with a spatula and knife. If paint is embedded in the flooring material, use the washer following the manufacturer's instructions.

Video - Removing old paint from the floor

Remove the thin top layer of material from the cleaned boards. An electric plane will help you with this. Make sure that the heads of the fasteners do not protrude above the boards.

Electric planer

Important! The work is quite dusty, so for your own safety, wear a respirator and goggles.

Sand the surface with a grinder with the previously mentioned attachment and sandpaper. Collect the dust, but do not throw it away - in the future it may be useful to you.

Putty gaps and other defects in the flooring. In the absence of a special primer of a suitable color, use a mixture of PVA glue and wood dust. Add dust until the desired color is obtained. In the case of using the second option, be careful and attentive: the excess glue that has come out must be immediately removed from the surface. This is easily done with a damp cloth.

At the end, all you have to do is apply a starter varnish to the floor and let it dry. Recommendations are similar to the previous case.

Varieties of material

There is a fairly wide range of varnishes on the market. Before starting work, be sure to familiarize yourself with the features of the most popular representatives of this category.

Table. Properties of different wood varnishes

Varnish type	Characteristics
Water soluble	Benefits: dries quickly; adheres well to the base; does not stink. One- and two-component modifications are available for sale. The first ones usually last no more than 2-3 years - after this time, the floor will have to be re-sanded and processed. If you apply a two-component varnish in 3 layers, it will last about 10 years even in rather harsh operating conditions. But such material also costs much more.
Alkyd	The advantage - the structure of the treated wood becomes more pronounced and beautiful. The disadvantage is the long drying time. The varnish is excellent for covering the so-called. "Floating" floor. To prevent the varnish from wrinkling, experts recommend limiting its consumption to a maximum of 120 g / m2. It is important that during the drying process the varnish is not exposed to heat from radiators and other heating devices. Contact with direct sunlight is also unacceptable.
Anhydrous polyurethane	The main advantage is excellent wear resistance. Also, such varnishes tolerate contact with water and various chemical detergents well. Important! The moisture content of the wood covered with such a product should be no more than 10%. Otherwise, the coating will bubble.
Acid curing	It is characterized by the greatest strength. It endures a wide variety of influences. Natural light shades are created on the floor material. You just need to follow the basic recommendations for using the tool, namely: the varnish is mixed with the hardener strictly before using the mixture; the performer must wear personal protective equipment - a respirator; the room must be provided with a constant flow of air. Violation of these recommendations can result in irritation of the mucous membranes for the performer.

Different tools are used to apply varnish. So, for example, quick-drying water-soluble formulations are applied with rollers of the highest quality possible. The contractor must distribute the material over the surface exclusively with translational movements. First, the agent is applied across the flooring, after which it is leveled in the longitudinal direction, i.e. the surface is varnished crosswise.

A spatula can be used to apply the first layer of material. The performer makes fairly fast S-shaped movements, evenly distributing the composition over the base. This technology allows for higher coating strength.

If using a brush, apply the material with neat U-shaped strokes. In this case, the new stroke should slightly overlap the previous one.

It is most convenient to start work from the wall opposite to the exit from the room - this way you do not have to walk on the applied composition.

The oil penetrates the wood structure, protecting the material from the inside and not creating a continuous film over it. As a result, the wear resistance of the wooden floor is significantly increased. An additional advantage of the oil is its environmental friendliness. As a rule, such coatings contain no solvents or they are present in insignificant amounts.

It is important to know that on oiled floors, material defects will be much more noticeable than in the case of varnish. Therefore, the work must be carried out in stages and in strict accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. A common requirement for all such formulations is the timely removal of excess oil from wood. Otherwise, the floor will be covered with ugly dark spots.

It is impossible to give specific instructions for covering a wooden floor with oil, because the procedure is largely determined by the manufacturer's recommendations. One can only describe the general sequence:

• the surface is carefully sanded. Small areas can be hand-sanded, large areas can be processed more conveniently and faster with a grinding machine with the appropriate attachment;
• cracks and other defects are sealed with putty;
• the surface is covered with a thin and even layer of oil. For application, you can use rollers, spatulas and devices specially designed for such work. This point, as well as other recommendations for applying the product, should be further clarified in the manufacturer's instructions.

On average, the oil hardens for 12 hours. After that, the material will need to be given another 3-4 days to gain strength.

Important! After the first treatment of the wooden floor with oil, the surface will be very dirty. Such traces will cease to appear only after the material is completely saturated, which on average takes several years.

Using wax to coat wood floors

The main advantage of wax is its absolute environmental friendliness and safety for human health. The wax can be used both as a stand-alone coating and in combination with the previously discussed oil.

• a uniform layer of wax is distributed over the previously prepared surface (recommendations were given earlier);
• the material is given time to dry. This point should be clarified separately in the manufacturer's instructions, because drying time may vary depending on the properties of a particular composition;
• the surface is carefully polished with a clean cotton cloth.

Now you know what can be used to cover a wooden floor and how to handle each material discussed.

Happy work!

Video - How to cover a wooden floor