Technology that uses ultraviolet rays has been around for quite a while, but only within the last decade has UV technology been put to use within the hardwood floor finishing process on a job site. Now, UV curing hardwood floors is really catching on.

Using ultraviolet light to cure a floor finish might sound futuristic, but it’s a logical leap to take 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. 

Because of 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.

A finish cured with UV light is particularly resistant to mechanical and chemical abrasion, also making UV curing the ideal system to use in settings that demand extreme wear resistance, such as sports floors and high-traffic commercial or residential hardwood floors.

“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. Ultraviolet light has already been adopted for different purposes in a number of different industries. Rob Lesko of HID Ultraviolet gave the example of ultraviolet nail drying systems, which are standard pieces of equipment in the beauty industry.

It’s only logical that hardwood flooring professionals would adopt the same technology, especially since it renders floors extra resistant to wear and tear as well as chemical abrasion.

The fact that the end user is able to put their floors back into full use immediately is also a gigantic benefit of UV floor curing systems that is sure to add to their popularity in the coming years.

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 (800) 737-1786 or info@cityfloorsupply.com.