engineered wood finish dilemma

last year

We have been shopping for engineered flooring for months. We thought we had come to a final decision on the Provenza Affinity line and then we noticed it’s a polyurethane finish and not aluminum oxide. We didn’t know the difference, so we googled it. Based on what we’re reading, AO finishes last longer and are more durable. Can anyone provide advice on whether we should reconsider this flooring due to it having a polyurethane finish? I’m so frustrated and ready to make a decision. Thank you!

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dan1888

last year

last modified: last year

More info- Flooring Finishes Part 2: Factory Finishes - monarchplank I'm not an aluminum oxide fan.

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Comments (7)

dan1888
last year
You have the option of choosing unfinished engineered flooring and choosing you own finish. Ciranova Ecofix with the hardener option is a choice I'd like. ECOFIX PLUS Bona also has well regarded products.
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choyttx
Original Author
last year
Thanks for this @dan1888! Would you mind telling me why you're not a fan of aluminum oxide finishes? Would you prefer a water-based polyurethane finish over AO?
dan1888
last year
last modified: last year
Aluminum oxide is an additive to poly. It can cloud the clear coat depending on how it's used. Water based poly gives a non-yellow clear finish available in matte. Ciranova is the US group from French company Blanchon, a finish provider for over 100 years. To get this finish with a hardener, you'd need to choose unfinished engineered flooring. European Oak flooring is produced in different S.E. Asian locations. The finish can be difficult to get info on. You can scratch test the finish using a fork to compare various samples. You can call Provenza (877) 455-7890 and try to get more info on the finish used. They may not know.
choyttx
Original Author
last year
Thanks for responding! I did call Provenza and of course the person I spoke with was not helpful. She only said "it's not scratch resistant". Of course, I realize NO wood is scratch-proof. It's all going to scratch, but when I read that one finish is significantly more resistant to scratches, it worries me. I know I need to take everything on the internet with a grain of salt, which is why I came here to see if I could get unbiased expert advice.

We don't want to go with an unfinished wood and finish on-site. That just becomes one more decision to make. Our entire house was damaged by a hurricane in July and we are experiencing major decision paralysis due to the amount of decisions we're having to make. Just ready to be done! We like the look of the Provenza and are comfortable with most of the specs, just want to make sure it's not going to look like crap in a few years. We're pretty careful people. All of our kids are grown and out of the house. We have a lazy old black lab and a cat. I'm grateful for any honest help and advice.
dani_m08
last year
How many mm is the wood veneer layer of the engineered wood that you are considering?

If it's really thin - 2mm - you probably won't be refinishing the floors in the future. If the veneer is thicker (mine is 5mm - European Oak) - it can be refinished up to 3 times. The finish used for mine is a uv cured poly. If it was finished with aluminum oxide, it would be very difficult = costly to refinish.

If it's thin veneer, aluminum oxide would protect the veneer layer .- and if you like how it looks finished, you don't have to worry about the AO being cloudy because the finish has already cured.
dan1888
last year
last modified: last year
A different additive showing up is listed as ceramic beads. Aluminum oxide clouds if included is the last coat of finish as the floor surface wears. All the European Oak flooring that's everywhere is from SE Asia, Vietnam, Malaysia or China. DuChateau Link couldn't tell me the finish as their products come from any of eight different Asian plants.