Builder Used Wrong Finish On Floors

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Hi there,

We are in the midst of a major whole house remodel and the new white oak floors were installed and finished this week. We didn't want any yellowing, so we wanted a water-based poly finish. We have also been very clear that we wanted a matte finish. Turns out the floor guy used an oil based satin finish called Masterline.

Our concern is that the floor has clearly yellowed from the sample we were shown (which we now know didn't have the poly on it, just the sealer). It also doesn't have the truly matte finish we were looking for.

The floor doesn't look terrible, no new hardwood floor wood, but it's not what we wanted. I'm also concerned about the quality and durability of the finish used. Our GC says they did two coats yesterday, but I don't see how they could have and followed the manufacturers specs which call for 8-10 hours between coats.

The kitchen cabinets are supposed to be installed on Monday, but I think we need to have the floors redone.

This is pretty stressful at this stage of the game. I appreciate any feedback on what we should do.

Thanks in advance!

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Comments (4)

User
9 years ago
There's no way around it. Oil poly will start yellower and amber with age. One plus is that it generally wears better than waterborne. You might have a difficult time getting a suitable matte finish with oil poly. In my experience, duller oil poly streaks easily due to the high amount of flatting agent. The floor could have easily been coated twice in a day of the first coat was a sealer. Many sealers today have very volatile solvents and can be coated within a few hours.

IMO you should suck it up and have them re-do the floors right away. If one of my guys had made this mistake and I looked at your criteria it would be what I would push for. They can probably hit it with 80 or 100, Trio, do a quick screening (some pros here will disagree with me) and be ready to coat.
gregmills_gw
9 years ago
If you had an estimate to have your floors finished with a water bourne urethane and they gave you a oil based, then yes i would have them re do the floor. and do it fast, before the cabinets go in. it will be less headache for everyone involved.

They absolutely can rip off what finish is already on the floor with one pass. it can be done.
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PRO
Cancork Floor Inc.
9 years ago
As gregmills_gw states. Your contract is for water based (clear coat or non-ambering finish) in a matte finish. So the GC owes you a clear coat (water based) finish in matte. And be sure you want matte. It can be difficult to live with. It LOVES to show oily foot prints...just as much as a glossy floor shows scratches.
tlbean2004
9 years ago
I like oil fiinish. It last longer than the water based.