Wood floor varnish.

Boggoff

Just spent the day sanding my floorboards, looks good, could anyone help with a suggestion for a good hard finish ( I have two large dogs). Thanks in advance...

nattypants

Hi Boggoff

I used Ronseal Diamond Varnish.....4 years ago now and could be doing with a bit of a go over again, however this has served well considering 2 kids, 1 dog and many, many spillages.

Wooden floors are fab!

NP:D

Escal

Ronseal make good varnishes. I find the solvent based ones give a better finish but on a wooden floor this won't matter so much. You might find the water based ones are easier to use and they certainly make cleaning up afterwards a lot easier. Also, water based varnishes are also quick drying so you can be back into the room much quicker Smell less too - keep the dogs happy!

leveller2911

Water based finishes will always bring the grain up(feel rough) compared to spirit based finishes.It depends on whether you have a hardwood floor(oak,Ash etc) or softwood(pine).You can use Danish oil on hardwood or something like Blackfriars Traditional woodstain, Diamond glaze is ok ,if its pine I wouldn't use an oil go for Blackfrairs or Diamond glaze.......Ronseal like other have said make decent finishes.

olias

OK, going to have to disagree here. In my last place, I sanded the boards and used Ronseal diamond. It was bl00dy expensive stuff soI thought I was getting the best. I used the 'antique pine' and it came out a horrible orange colour which would have put Dale Winton's tan to shame! In addition I found it chipped and flaked easily and ended up looking awful. We put the house on the market about 2 years later and ended up having to pay for fitted carpets to hide the awful floor.

Olias

leveller2911

olias wrote: »

OK, going to have to disagree here. In my last place, I sanded the boards and used Ronseal diamond. It was bl00dy expensive stuff soI thought I was getting the best. I used the 'antique pine' and it came out a horrible orange colour which would have put Dale Winton's tan to shame! In addition I found it chipped and flaked easily and ended up looking awful. We put the house on the market about 2 years later and ended up having to pay for fitted carpets to hide the awful floor.

Olias

I'm recommending DULUX diamond glaze:D.......I had some oak doors treated recently and the decorators used a Ronseal varnish which looked great, satin ,clear it was but not sure which.. Just wanted to clarify that..Just imagining Dale Winton with brush in hand,lol

evilgoose

Have a look at the osmo range of products!

Escal

Just like to endorse what was said above, stay away from coloured varnishes. They never turn out as you would want and some are truly awful.
I haven't found water based varnish too bad for raising grain though. Sure, they benefit from sanding after the first coat but after that they are fine, and the shorter drying time means less time for dust to settle and stick.
Of course, you could always leave the finish rough and call it "non-slip"... Dogs might be happier that way, mine hates a waxed wooden surface to walk on.

aliasojo

Osmo Polyx Hardwax Oil. Don't be fooled by the name. Tough, hardwearing finish that's easy to touch up if ever needed.

http://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/products/wood-finishes/wood-oils/osmo-polyx-oil.htm

macman

olias wrote: »

OK, going to have to disagree here. In my last place, I sanded the boards and used Ronseal diamond. It was bl00dy expensive stuff soI thought I was getting the best. I used the 'antique pine' and it came out a horrible orange colour which would have put Dale Winton's tan to shame! In addition I found it chipped and flaked easily and ended up looking awful. We put the house on the market about 2 years later and ended up having to pay for fitted carpets to hide the awful floor.

Olias

The safe way is to test a small inconspicuous area first.