Why varnishing...

That's an easy question to answer: you want to be able to enjoy the appearance of your parquet or hardwood floor for as long as possible. So a protective layer should be applied to the wood which will prevent contaminants from penetrating it, and which will stop mechanical forces from being applied directly to the wood.

While care agents are used to apply a renewable wearing layer to the wood (see Why regular care...), the varnish acts as the working layer, keeping all kinds of rough and coarse materials away from the wood. The varnish can also be used to change the appearance of the parquet or hardwood floor. Accentuating varnishes enhance and intensify the natural colour of the wood - other varnishes allow the wood to retain its natural tone.

Varnishing parquet - what with? 

There is a broad range of products available. We distinguish between the classic systems and waterborne systems. Classic systems contain solvents and are based on alkyd resins (oil-modified / synthetic resin varnishes) or polyurethane systems (DD® varnishes). They have the significant disadvantage that they emit solvent fumes. Waterborne systems, on the other hand, are based on water and are very highly rated among varnishing systems today due to their environmental friendliness.

We have been producing water-based parquet varnishes for more than 15 years, thus helping to meet the requirements of the TRGS 167 regulation. This German technical rule for hazardous substances stipulates that surface finishes and procedures for parquet and other wood flooring which are high in solvent content must be replaced by others carrying lower health risks wherever technically possible. Today, more than 80% of all parquet varnishes produced by LOBA are water-based. In terms of their chemical and abrasion resistance, LOBA waterborne finishes are either on a par with solvent-based products or are actually superior to them. In addition to their environmental friendliness and benefits for the health of workers and customers, these products also shine on account of their long-lasting high quality and generous coverage.