UV technology, existing for years, has only recently found application in hardwood floor finishing on job sites, gaining popularity now. Using UV light for floor finishes, though futuristic-sounding, is a logical step for contractors. UV curing is quicker than any other curing process. It also gives you durable, abrasion- and chemical-resistant flooring.
UV Curing Systems are Significant Time Savers for Hardwood Floor Contractors.
The adoption of ultraviolet systems by hardwood flooring professionals is as effective as it is groundbreaking. Using a UV floor curing machine, a hardwood floor can be finished in hours, not days. The process is instantaneous—the special UV finish cures within milliseconds of coming into contact with UV rays.
“You can put the floor back in service right away…and there’s no other coating that can do that,” said Rob Lesko, President of HID Ultraviolet, during the Philly Floor Store’s September 25, 2014 NWFA training event.
Whereas oil-based floor finishes usually require at least a full 24 hours in between coats and an even longer time to fully cure, with a UV curing system (which utilizes a water-based finish such as Basic Coatings LightForce), the floor is ready to be cured with the machine in as little as an one to two hours. The floor can be put back into use right after this process is done, since the machine cures the finish immediately. Click here to browse our selection of UV floor curing equipment.
Due to its quick turnaround time, ultraviolet curing systems are ideal for use in situations where the utmost efficiency is necessary, such as in hospitals, bars, or restaurants that never close or have a very small gap between closing and opening times.
UV light-cured finishes offer high resistance to mechanical and chemical abrasion, ideal for extreme wear settings like sports floors and busy commercial or residential areas.
“I think that turnaround time is important, especially for facilities that are limited in terms of their downtime—it’s important to get the facility up and running again. And floors cured with UV technology have a much better durability than the traditional finishes,” said Doug Harvey of Classic Sport Floors during the NWFA training event.
This Cutting Edge Technology is Catching On, and For Good Reason.
“I think in time UV floor curing systems will become part of the fabric of our industry,” said Pete Mansueto of Mansueto Hardwood Flooring.
This seems to be an accurate prediction. A number of different industries have already adopted ultraviolet light for various purposes. Rob Lesko of HID Ultraviolet gave the example of ultraviolet nail drying systems, which are standard pieces of equipment in the beauty industry.
Hardwood flooring professionals naturally adopt technology that makes floors more resistant to wear, tear, and chemical abrasion. The immediate use of floors after UV curing is a huge benefit, likely increasing its popularity in the future.
Don’t Miss Out on the Opportunity to Elevate your Business with a UV Curing System.
In addition to stocking the full line of HID Ultraviolet curing systems, City Floor Supply also rents UV floor curing equipment for those who wish to test the system out before making an investment.
If you have any questions about UV floor curing technology, speak with a hardwood floor professional at (908) 232-6600 or schedule a Virtual Consultation.
Ultraviolet Curing Systems for Hardwood Floors:
UV Floor Curing Hardwood Floors: The Way of the Future
As we discussed in last week’s blog post about ultraviolet curing systems for hardwood floors, this technology provides contractors with the ability to put floors back into use almost immediately thanks to its quick curing process.
Features of the HID Ultraviolet Floor Curing System
UV curing systems for hardwood floors are completely new and different than traditional methods of finishing floors, so adopting this new technology may seem daunting. Luckily, HID Ultraviolet manufactures machines that make the transition to UV technology smooth and easy for hardwood floor contractors.
HID Ultraviolet curing machines use “hot re-strike” technology instead of mechanical shutters, allowing their lighting system to turn on and off without needing a cool-down or warm-up period. This feature further adds to the efficiency and convenience of ultraviolet floor curing technology.
HID floor curing machines also have a number of safety features, including:
- Built-in ultrasonic sensors detect when the machine approaches the surface to be cured, activating the light only near the substrate.
- A shutdown mechanism activates to prevent UV exposure if the lamp head rises too far above the floor surface or if the machine tips over.
- A shutdown mechanism activates to prevent scorching the floor if the user stops moving the machine for more than a few seconds.
Curing a Hardwood Floor Using an HID Ultraviolet System
First, the floor is coated using a UV water-based finish such as Basic Coatings LightForce and allowed to dry.
“You put the coating down and it dries like a regular water-based coating for one to three hours, depending on environmental conditions, and then you come back and hit it with a UV light and it instantly cures,” explained Micah Petersen of Basic Coatings.
“So your wood floor turnaround time is essentially just the time it takes to dry, as opposed to…waterbased or oil-based coatings, where you have a span of seven days up to two weeks for the finish to fully cure and obtain both wear and chemical resistance,” said Petersen.
Once the finish is dry, the MAKO 6 handheld, a 1,200-watt ultraviolet lamp, is used to cure a small portion of the floor on which the bigger machine can be placed. You can think of this as creating a “landing strip” for the next machine.
Finally, the big curing machine––the TIGER, the BULLDOG, and the HAMMERHEAD are the three variations that HID Ultraviolet offers––is run over the substrate to cure the floor. LightForce is a bright purplish-pink color when applied to the floor, and it turns clear once it comes into contact with UV rays to indicate that the floor has been fully and properly cured.
Once the curing process is complete, you can immediately use the floor. You can replace furniture and rugs right away, and walking on the floors won’t risk damaging the finish.
Don’t Miss Out on the Opportunity to Elevate your Business with a UV Floor Curing System.
In addition to stocking the full line of HID Ultraviolet curing systems, City Floor Supply also rents UV curing equipment for those who wish to test the system out before making an investment.
If you have any questions about UV floor curing technology, speak with a hardwood floor professional at (908)-232-6600