Finish Options
At Hardwood Desktops we offer a couple of different finish options to suit each individual project’s needs. We encourage you to read a few short descriptions below before selecting your finish as each offers different benefits and one may suit a particular household better than another.
Rubio’s Monocoat is a plant-based, sustainable and VOC-free hardening oil that accentuates the natural beauty of wood with a thin, matte, and water-resistant coating. It is a great choice if you want the most natural looking finish possible without the upkeep of a traditional oil finish. Monocoat offers protection against stains and spills while being easy to spot repair if the finish does get damaged over time.
Pros: Plant based, sustainable, VOC-free, maintains the feel and looks like of natural wood, easy to refinish / apply in house
Cons: Limited water- and stain-resistance (approx. 3 hours for a maintained surface), does not provide much in terms of scratch-resistance, may need to be refinished after a few years of regular use
HAPS-Free Environmentally-Friendly Polyurethane
Our BCA polyurethane is our most durable and protective finish - It protects the wood from water damage, stains, and UV light. We use a dull satin sheen to best preserve the natural look and feel of the wood, but other sheens may be available if you inquire. Our polyurethane is HAPS-free, so it does not contain any isocyanates, formaldehyde, or aromatics.
While it does have the highest ratings in scratch- and chemical-resistance, the film finish can be difficult to repair if damaged.
Pros: Best protection from water damage, stains, and finish color changes associated with UV exposure; it is both low maintenance and easy to clean
Cons: Lose some of the natural wood feel, must be completely sanded and refinished if repairs are needed (spray must be done off site)
Unfinished
If you choose to have your piece ordered unfinished, we do all of the shaping and sanding so it is ready to receive finish on site. Unless requested, we do not raise the grain which is necessary for any water-based finishes.
It is important to note that wood cannot remain unfinished. This option assumes that you are responsible for applying a finish shortly after receiving your piece.
Note: Unfinished pieces are not covered under warranty