3MWhat respirator do I wear so I am compliant for sanding surfaces on which lead could be present?There are several respirators that may be appropriate, provided one has an understanding of the job-site hazards and OSHA requirements, and has developed an effective respiratory protection program that includes provisions for training, fit testing and medical evaluations. A NIOSH-approved 100-class or HEPA particulate respirator can be used to help

reduce exposure to lead dust during manual scraping or sanding. For more information on how to get

started with your own respirator program, contact the 3M Occupational Health and Environmental Safety Division Technical Service Department at 800/243-4360 to request a copy of “Guide to Administrative Respiratory Protection Program.”

www.3m.com

Bostik Inc.How much moisture can a concrete slab have in it when a hardwood floor is being installed using Bostik’s Ultra-Set SingleStep?

Ultra-Set SingleStep can be used to in-stall wood over any concrete slab that is not wet to the touch. Bostik Inc. does not require a calcium chloride test (ASTM F1869-10) or an in-situ RH probe test (ASTM F2170-09). The combination of recycled rubber in the adhesive maintains proper thickness and the recommended trowel for the wood dimensions will create a uniform layer of adhesive. This layer of adhesive has superior adhesion, moisture protection and sound insulation characteristics.

www.bostik-us.com

February|March 2011 n Hardwood Floors 61www.hardwoodfloorsmag.com

Manufacturers know well how

their products perform in the field.

So we invited some of the indus-

try’s top manufacturers—all

full-page advertisers in this issue—

to answer some of the technical

questions they hear the most.

TECH SPOTLIGHT

www.hardwoodfloorsmag.com62 Hardwood Floors n February|March 2011

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

PoloplazAfter I apply Poloplaz’ Zenith finish, when can I get back on my floors?In four hours you can walk on the floors and in 48 hours you can move furniture back and have full use of the floors. Zenith is a premium two-component waterborne finish from Polo-Plaz. With exceptional wear resistance, easy application, and long wet edge, Zenith is per-fectly suited for any commercial or residential wood floor. Zenith is also VOC-compliant in every state and great for LEED projects.

www.poloplaz.com

Owens Flooring by Colonial CraftDo we need to sand Owens Flooring by Colonial Craft’s unfinished Plankfloor?We use the highest quality raw materials and combine them with the tightest specifications and quality control procedures in order to make flooring with almost no over-wood. We’ve also recently added our own ISO-certified test lab to ensure these standards are maintained. Our product is sanded once at the factory, so the normal three-pass sanding procedure is not necessary. As little as one pass with a big machine (drum or belt sander), or even just screening the floor with a buffer, will likely do the job. Just clean up the installation marks, glue, footprints, etc., and you are good to go, saving you time and money.

www.colonialcraft.com

NWFAWhen I’m on the job site and encounter a problem, where can I turn for answers?The NWFA is the wood flooring professional’s first call for all industry needs. Our dedi-cated technical advisors are on hand Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. (CST), to help you resolve your most difficult techni-cal issues right when you’re experiencing them. We handle call volumes of 200-plus calls each week. We’ll help you resolve your techni-cal problems in real time so you can get back to work quickly.

www.nwfa.org

MAPEI CorporationHow can a contractor create a LEED-compliant wood floor installation that corrects the subfloor moisture problem while protecting the wood installation over the long term?

First, smooth the concrete substrate by applying LEED-compliant Mape-cem Quickpatch, a high-performance, high-flow concrete patch. This patch features extraor-dinary ease of placement and

outstanding workability. Within an hour of placing quick-setting Mapecem Quickpatch, the next layer in the wood installation system can begin. To correct a subfloor’s high MVER, as well as provide superior bond in one simple step, apply a layer of 100-percent-solids Ultrabond ECO 995 moisture control and wood flooring adhesive. This LEED-compliant adhe-sive comes equipped with a special clip-on trowel that helps installers create a solid, void-free layer of adhesive that also functions as a highly efficient vapor reduction membrane.

www.mapei.com

Garco Clear FinishesDo I need to ventilate my work area after refinishing a wood floor?

After the applica-tion of any wood floor refinishing product, it is recom-mended the area be adequately ven-tilated to remove any solvents or odors that remain. Ventilation is the exchange of the

home’s ambient air, containing evaporated sol-vents, with fresh air from the outdoors, and it is required to dissipate the remaining solvent odors, because they can be unpleasant for the occupants. Exposure to heavy concentrations of solvent fumes can cause headaches, nausea or respiratory problems. You should begin ventilating approximately four hours after the finish has been applied. This time can vary depending upon temperature, humidity and film thickness of the finish on the floor.

www.garco.us

Dura SealAre VOC-compliant products as effective as traditional products?

Stricter environ-mental regula-tions combined with increased environmental awareness have made VOC-com-pliant products a necessity for wood flooring profes-

sionals. Dura Seal has responded to this need by introducing a VOC-compliant product that doesn’t require a sacrifice on performance. 350 VOC Polyurethane, the VOC-compliant version to our existing oil-based finish, applies just as easily as our traditional oil-modified polyurethane and retains the same features that have been part of the Dura Seal heritage; cleanup is still accomplished using mineral spirits. Dura Seal also offers VOC-compliant products in water-based versions, such as Dura Seal Water-Based Polyurethane, DuraSeal 2000 and DuraSeal X-Terra.

www.duraseal.com

techspotlight

February|March 2011 n Hardwood Floors 63www.hardwoodfloorsmag.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION techspotlight

W.D. FlooringCan you install solid wood flooring over radiant heat?Short answer: Yes. Right answer: Key items are remembering to acclimate a minimum of sev-en days and choosing the right installer. The system should have a slow heating regulator, meaning that it needs to gradually heat. Also, be sure the system is on and that the slab temperature at full running temperature does not exceed 90 degrees. We like to see a floor—particularly solid plank—glued and nailed, and, when in doubt, follow NWFA guidelines.

www.wdflooring.com

Shamrock Plank FlooringAre hardwood floors durable enough for high traffic, high-impact areas such as kitchens and bathrooms?

Yes. Given proper care, hardwood floors are durable enough and resilient enough for any room in the home. These qualities have made hardwood flooring the ma-terial of choice in gymnasiums, basketball

courts and other high-traffic, high-impact public spaces for generations. In areas where moisture may be present, (i.e. near sinks, refrigerators and stoves) we recommend plac-ing non-rubber-backed mats. Any spills should be wiped dry as soon as possible.

www.shamrockplankflooring.com

ProvenzaHow do you prefinish your wood floors?

Our flooring is treated with a special and highly durable UV ceramic topcoat to pro-vide superior gloss retention. Provenza Infusion uses an exclusive impregnation process that

allows premier performance while captur-ing the natural beauty and distinction in the wood. This new proprietary technology infuses acrylic with organic color pigments into various wood species, ensuring the color is brilliant and that it intensifies the natural grain pattern in the wood for a dramatic effect. The overall results of this innovative process convert figured curly maple wood into a dimensionally stable material with enhanced hardness and increased density.

www.provenzafloors.com