Our Environmental Concerns

Like so many others out there, our appreciation and concerns for the environment have only developed  with age. Rather late than not :)

Over the years, we've primarily used solvent based finishes as they were all that was readily available to us (South Africa). Today we have waterborne finishes that are produced with the environment in mind. In 1979 Bona introduced their first waterborne finish (polyurethane molecules dispersed in water). When the finish is applied, the water evaporates in 2 to 3 hours and the polyurethane forms the finish layer on the wood floor surface. 

When solvent-based finishes are applied the solvent evaporates into the atmosphere (we need special chemical masks when working with it)  leaving harmful fumes and a strong chemical odour that lasts for days as the material dries. These fumes are highly flammable and can even be explosive. Cleaning up after applying these products contributes to the problem because mineral spirits or solvent thinners must be used. 

Many states such as California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, and others have recognized these personal and environmental hazards and set limits on the VOC (Volatile Organic Component) content for paints, varnishes and finishes. Waterborne floor finishes are well below these compliance limits, contain less hazardous solvents and only about 20% of the VOC level of the amount of solvents in a typical solvent-based finish.