Aluminium Oxide Polyurethane Changed the Wood Flooring Industry

In 1999 a new polyurethane was produced to apply in the manufacturing process of Engineered Hardwood Floors. It was named Aluminium Oxide Polyurethane. For this article I will just call it AO Poly as floor guys like to say. It literally changed our industry in regards to the job site finished floor market. AO Poly has a 25 year wear warranty unlike site finished oil and water based polyurethanes that have a one year warranty. All site finished polyurethanes have to be recoated on average every 5-7 years to keep the plastic film intact. Without the recoat worn areas will begin to show in high traffic locations like around the kitchen sink, entry and exit doors and walking paths. AO Poly will not wear in these same locations due to its chemical structure. Therefore one never needs to recoat the floor until one is tired of the color, dents or scratches that build over the years.

What has changed for the Hardwood floor Contractor is  the percentage of jobs that are site finished  vs prefinished in the factory. Before AO Poly most Hardwood Floor Contractors performed approximately 80% site finished to 20% Prefinished flooring. Now it is the other way around and Prefinished Hardwood Flooring is gaining ground over site finished yearly as the consumer begins to understand the benefits of AO Poly finished flooring. It means more installing and less finishing for the Hardwood Floor Contractor. More on this topic later……