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“I have been sanding and coating floors for more than 15 years and Treatex (Hardwax Oil) is by far the best product I've ever used . I wished I’d found it years ago. I am now redoing my own home with Treatex and won't use anything else. I cannot speak highly enough of Whittle Waxes...”
Bob Morris, Bob Morris Floors, Ballarat Click here to view what our customers say |
“Customers can see and compare the varying effect different coatings can have on the look and appeal of a timber floor. I’m sure many are glad to see a genuine alternative to traditional polyurethane coatings! Our customer response, particularly interior Designers and Architects has been excellent and hope it is reflecting in your business.."
Tony Pepper, Taits Timber & Hardware, Tooronga Click here to view what our customers say |
“I have been sanding and coating floors for more than 15 years and Treatex (Hardwax Oil) is by far the best product I've ever used . I wished I’d found it years ago. I am now redoing my own home with Treatex and won't use anything else. I cannot speak highly enough of Whittle Waxes...”
Mike Christiansen Click here to view what our customers say |
"We sand a lot of older floors in the area that have been neglected or covered over for decades. The timber that was used on the old floors is nearly always of high quality and people are amazed at what is exposed when we sand. Treatex Hardwax Oil is a firm favourite with the customers because it brings out the natural beauty of the timber and it is environmentally friendly. The cost of a Treatex finished floor is also favoured by our customers."
Rob Clark, d.i.y. Floorsanding Machine Hire Kyogle Click here to view what our customers say |
The Importance of using non-toxic finishes
Timber is a living material endowed with many beneficial assets. It is durable and helps keep room temperature constant, regulates humidity. It creates a natural ambience to transform your home into a comfortable, healthy living space.
What is in timber coatings?
| Timbers coatings contain two components: |
When the coating is applied, the solvent evaporates into the air in the immediate environment, thus leaving the active components to react and form the harder coating on your timber (to ‘cure’).
What is toxicity?
Even though the cured coating may be innocuous, the process of coating your timber presents a number of opportunities to generate compounds that may be toxic to people, your pets or the wider environment:
Polyurethanes
Solvent-based polyurethane is the most widely used timber floor-finishing product currently used in Australia. Solvents used in the their production contain isocyanates which are extremely toxic to both humans and animals. Whittle Waxes products do not contain polyurethanes and are manufactured from natural components. February 2008
Solvent Overview
The subject of solvents in coatings is massive. The European Directive 2004/42/EC, is a document 333 pages long, and deals with the classification of “Coatings used in Buildings”, the present regulations governing all aspects of the coatings, application and suitability of purpose.
From our point of view there is only one solvent that is environmentally safe: Water. There are a number of chemicals which dilute in water (like Glycol or Isopropanol). Be aware of water dilute-able coatings and oils as they may contain solvents. Water-based solvent free coatings are preferable to water dilute-able coatings as these may contain solvents.
Another type of solvent is the organic solvents, which are not mixable with water. Generally these can be divided into those derived from petroleum and those derived from renewable plant sources.
| Petroleum Derived
The most critical solvents from this group are the rapidly evaporating aromatic solvents. These can then be divided on the basis of evaporation and flash point: a low flash point means fast evaporation, which is good for drying but dangerous for use, the solvent is highly inflammable. During application the solvent evaporates quickly, resulting in inhalation. |
| Solvents are also available which are free of aromatic compounds |
| Plant Derived (e.g. Orange-Terpene, Lemon-Terpene, Balsam-Terpene)
From an ecological aspect these solvents are CO2 neutral because they are derived from plants. They can have a strong toxicological impact and have been linked to asthma and neurodermatitis. And of course they have the same green house effects as organic solvents from petroleum. |
The products we endorse use aromatic-free isoaliphatic solvents with a high flash point. There is no risk during application of igniting the product and the solvent evaporates slowly so inhalation is reduced during application. We believe that they are preferable to plant derived terpenes.
Isoparrafins belong to the isoaliphatic solvents. They are not ecological perfect but the best you can get if you have to use solvents.
"75 evacuated from office building" – 24 May 2006
Article published by www.heraldsun.com.au
“SEVENTY-five people were evacuated from a Sydney CBD building after fumes from a timber solvent overcame a third of them. Authorities said about 25 of the workers evacuated from the building on the corner of George Street and Martin Place about 4.30pm (AEST) were treated at the scene by ambulance officers after suffering nausea and vomiting.
A New South Wales Fire Brigades spokesman said the fumes originated from a polyurethane solvent that was being applied to timber on the third floor. The fumes spread throughout the four-storey building, causing workers to feel ill. Hazardous material workers were at the scene and would determine when the building was safe to re-enter.
Here is what floor polishers have to say about solvent-based polyurethane.
”I have seven guys working for me, so it’s an OH&S issue and a major
health concern for me and my guys. If someone wants to use solvent-based
polyurethane on their floors, I’ll walk away rather than do the job. You get
smashed off your head. High as a kite. It increases your heart rate. Your body
temperature goes up. Your nose runs and your eyes water. Breathing is difficult
and you can't drive after using it.”
Bob Morris
”It is not good for you. It contains heaps of isocyanates. With internal
rooms with no ventilation the toxicity after drying time is ridiculous. It can
cause emphysema and dermatitis. I don't know why it is still being used, it
should be banned. I have heard of budgies and cats dying. We had a customer in
Melbourne who wanted to sleep in the house. She ended up so sick she went to
hospital. To coat with poly we should have a full respirator which costs about
$2500 to buy. I hate using poly especially since my daughter was born 18 months
ago. I hate going home to her smelling of poly.’”
Shane Archer
“I gave up floor sanding a couple of years ago because of health problems
from using poly (solvent based polyurethane). After using it, I couldn't
breathe. And couldn't sleep.”
Mike Christiansen
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TIMBER FLOOR FINISHES |
Solvent-based Polyurethane |
Water-based Polyurethane |
Tung Oil Modified Polyurethane |
Treatex Hard Wax |
| Highly toxic & a known carcinogen |
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| Non-toxic | |
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| Non-toxic & made from sustainable, natural raw materials | | |||
| Forms a plastic-like skin on the surface | |
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| Forms an lustrous, natural, silky finish that penetrates & nurtures timbers | | |||
| Will scratch over time, if not looked after | |
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| Prone to cracking & peeling. Once skin is broken then moisture can cause discolouration of timber | |
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| Will not crack or peel if applied correctly. Wax forms a protective water-proof barrier that penetrates timber to prevent discolouration & rot | | |||
| Will yellow over time | |
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| Can leave timber looking milky | |
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| Non-yellowing & enhances the natural colour & feature in the timber | | |||
| Static in application & finish & attracts dust | |
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| Non-static in application & finish & does not attract dust | | |||
| Does not allow timber to breathe | |
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| Allows timber to breathe & move seasonally | | |||
| Is not easily repairable | |
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| Successfully repairable & will not de-laminate or peel depending on type of damage | | |||
| Product manufacturing & disposal of waste material after re-sanding harmful to the environment | |
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| Non-toxic but also non-biodegradable waste after re-sanding | |
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| Environmentally friendly manufacturing & safe disposal of used wax after re-sanding | | |||
| Re-sanding & re-coating results in loss of thickness of timber of approximately 2mm | |
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| Re-sanding & re-coating results in no loss of thickness of timber | |
Whittle Waxes supplies a comprehensive range of eco-friendly natural waxes for interior and exterior timber applications.
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