The look and feel of an Element7 floor is inimitable. Not only do our finishes exude the aesthetic refinement associated with an Element7 floor, but as our clients will confirm, our finishes retain their fabulous looks for a lifetime without the need for refinishing.
However, average floors with deficient low-cost finishes typically need refinishing within 3 to 5 years………
The bare minimum approach taken to finishes by less fastidious manufacturers of average floors, typically means the floors will need refinishing within 3 to 5 years. You will never replicate the factory finish.
N B, refinishing an installed hardwood floor cannot duplicate a factory-controlled colour finish. Additionally, the refinishing sanding process destroys the floor’s original brushed texture and micro-bevels.
Element7’s Benchmark floors and finishes are initially a significant cost, but completely cost effective given they have the lifespan of at least 3 average wood floors.
The varnish finish applied to an Element7 Benchmark floor is an environmentally friendly water-based varnish, cured and abraded between each of its 8-coat application. This varnish has inbuilt elasticity and therefore does not crack.
The majority of our floors are specified with this finish as it is incredibly durable, easy to clean and requires the least maintenance. Cleaning is easy, use a damp cloth to spot clean, or a pH neutral wood floor soap solution and flat mop to damp clean the whole floor. This world-class 8-coat finish is exclusive to Element7, it lasts for a lifetime, without the need for refinishing.
Coloured floors are an Element7 speciality. The most commonly used hardwood floor colouring processes use stains. At Element7 we do not use stains because they react with wood. Therefore, as each batch of wood has different tannin and mineral content, so each batch reacts differently to the same stain, producing substantial differences in colour from one batch to another. This is why floor samples so often differ far too much from the floor delivered. Also stains fade, they are not colourfast, and will need refinishing every few years.
Almost all colours are best achieved using colour enhanced varnishes. Our premium-plus 8 coat varnish finish is applied, as above, but with colour enhanced, not clear varnishes. The colour match between an Element7 sample and the delivered floor is as good as it gets. There is absolutely no doubt that this process, exclusive to Element7, is the best way to apply colour for those seeking a lifetime colour finish.
The oil finishes applied to Element7 Benchmark floors incorporate 3 coats of Natural vegetable oil (not to be confused with hard-wax oils), once again an environmentally friendly finish. Oil is applied, penetrates the wood surface, and crystallises. This finish is surprisingly resistant – witness linseed oil protecting a cricket bat from the impact of a solid ball, bowled at 75mph or more.
Cleaning and maintenance is easy. As above, use a damp cloth to spot clean, or a pH neutral wood floor soap solution and water to damp clean the whole floor. Properly maintained it will last a lifetime – the oil keeps nourishing the wood. Again, it will never need refinishing.
Natural Wax (not hard wax) finishes hold a sentimental attraction for us all, producing that classic warm Patina that only wax can. Wax is popular with reclaimed floors and floors with colours that benefit from the soft sheen achieved.
Waxed floors when new are prone to scuff marks, but as these scuff marks are buffed away with a domestic buffing machine, and the floor periodically polished, the wax hardens and the scuffing stops. Six months to a year later you are rewarded with an inimitable look that only wax can deliver.
Cleaning is again done using pH neutral wood floor soap and water, with maintenance being the application of more beeswax every 3 to 4 years. The new application will scuff a little, but the scuffing will reduce as before.