TIMBER THAT LOOKS RAW

We have been asked for timber flooring that retains the raw look while it is in fact coated with a protective oil surface. We are delighted to announce that we now have samples of the Osmo Raw finish on display at VCS. This is a superb look to have in a floor. It is amazing.

The timber appears raw and it has a lovely texture.

Because we are based in Western Australia we decided to coat Jarrah and NSW Blackbutt samples. The timber looks and feels raw using a coat of raw oil with an additional OSMO matte top coat.

Superb look.

UV protection outside using OSMO Oils

OSMO 420 is a UV protection oil that you need to apply to exposed external timber surfaces to protect your surface from UV rays by a factor of 12. Screens and cladding are obvious applications. Timber cladding in Australia often has either no coating or else a light acrylic sealer which offers almost no UV protection. [It is anticipated that the cladding will be used in an undercover alfresco area.] Reflected harsh light off pools or exposure to even a small amount of weathering is serious. UV oil is essential to provide nourishment and effective UV filtering to the timber.

Timber screening likewise needs protection. Screening is available in decorative timber choices and it is a pity to have to paint these in a solid paint colour. With UV protection oil this can be overcome.

It is easy to apply and very economical. Simply apply two coats and enjoy protection from harmful UV light.

This unique product is like painting a UV film onto your external surfaces. The results are simply amazing.
Users report a richer colour and improved appearance of the timber surface..

OSMO 420 is available in clear coats and has already demonstrated that oils can do amazing things when they are blended correctly.

What is the best oil for decks and outside timber?

Timber decks need protection. That is the simple part. When you start looking at all the recommendations for oils it gets complicated. Over the years we have used a number of oils with varying degrees of success. Our final conclusion is that many are quite similar.They differ primarily in pigmentation.

Just one is a standout product. OSMO.
OSMO Decking oils are very different and offer quality above our usual expectation.

Why? Osmo offers three unique properties.

1   Genuinely environmentally sound oil products. Feel free to look up OSMO on the web and you will discover lots of positive comments. Osmo is a unique blend of natural oils and waxes.

2   Anti Slip oils. The system includes a top coat of 430 anti slip. This surface provides real traction. After all you do walk on the deck when its wet! So a little extra traction is a great idea.

3   Colours. All oils must contain some colour to protect the timber from UV as much as possible. OSMO incorporates subtle colours that assist here. Teak, Oak, Bangkirai Light & Masaranduba are all great colours.

Bangkirai Light is our favorite with local West Australian timbers as it adds just a little colour and feeds the deck evenly. Follow it up with a coat of anti-slip and you're there!

At VCS we have put the oils on samples of Jarrah and Blackbutt to allow you to view the finished product and get a real idea of how it will look on your floor.

Anything else worth noting? These products are very easy to use. They are easy DIY products though they were designed for contractors. The coverage is very high which makes them very cost effective as well.

Why Use Osmo Oil Finishes?

Why use Osmo products?

Osmo oils contain natural vegetable oils and waxes. Natural oils & waxes penetrate deeply into the timber surface, keeping it elastic and healthy and preventing it from getting dry and brittle. The timber is allowed to breathe. Natural movement of moisture can occur. Shrinking and swelling is reduced.

Osmo oils do not contain biocides or preservatives. They are safe for man, animal and plant when dry and comply with international standards. They may be used on children’s toys.

 

Osmo oil surfaces may be repaired easily. So unsightly scratches [which cannot be easily fixed on polyurethane floors] can be easily repaired using an Osmo oil on the surface.

Your floor may not need future sanding activity. Simply clean thoroughly and apply a further coat of finish. No living with scratches or worn floors. Simply apply an additional coat of oil and you have a new floor surface. You can even just treat the worn areas. It’s that simple.

The oils are naturally resistant against wine, beer, cola, coffee, tee, fruit juices, milk & water etc when dry.

Osmo Oils are available through VCS Products Pty Ltd

2/7 O’Malley Street, Osborne Park  WA 6017

08 9347 0222

www.vcsproducts.com.au

Included in the range are internal and external coatings for all types of timber  surfaces.

Frames

Doors

Decks

Floors

Furniture

Panels

UV Stabilized finishes

Anti Slip Finishes in R9 & R11

Osmo use all natural ingredients. This really sets them apart from old fashioned coating systems.

Successful Timber Floors Ebook edition Released

The reference guide to timber flooring held in every reference library in Australia has now been released in an updated edition. Originally printed in 2009, the earlier print edition has now been updated to include up to date techniques in flooring. Follow the link to find your online copy.

Included in 'Successful Timber Floors' is a guide to sanding key timbers and a guide to coating issues to help all coating users avoid problems and get a great result. 

Click on the link below to preview the first ten pages

Successful Timber Floors

Flooring Doesn't Need To Be Boring

There are many timber floors available. Mostly these replicate existing floors. So it is not uncommon to see the same floors everywhere. But your floor doesn't need to look the same.

New wider timbers in Oaks are now available. At VCS we supply a 180 x 20mm French Oak product that has great lengths and Features. It is a remarkable looking floor. This floor can be supplied to install as a traditional floor but can equally be supplied and stained using a traditional OSMO Stain. Adding colour is a great way to improve the look of a boring timber.

Colour Your Floor

A range of colours can be used to highlight detail and add interest to your timber floor.

A floor can start off being quite bland but with a little thought the floor can be transformed into something really special.

Unique products include creative colours, anti-slip decking oil, country colours and UV protection oil. These easy to maintain products are well worth a closer look.

Solid Osmo Colour Adds Detail

Buff In The Colour

NSW Blackbutt

Blackbutt timber is an Australian classic hardwood. Not all hardwoods are genuinely hard. Hardwoods are a species of timbers as opposed to a statement regarding hardness. However Blackbutt scores on both stakes.  It is a hardwood that is truly hard. Hardness is measured on a German scale called the Janka scale. This involves testing a timbers resistance to pressure such as that caused by things that cause dents. High heels for example. Some timbers score very low on this scale. Anything below 4.5 may be regarded as prone to dent easily.  So where does Australian Blackbutt score? Australian New South Wales Blackbutt scores 9.1 on the scale making it harder that Jarrah and making it an ideal timber for all domestic and commercial applications.

In fact for internal use Blackbutt is an ideal flooring choice. It doesn't work too well outside as it tends to turn grey very easily. Internally it is the light coloured king of timbers. It is also a single species timber which is important in timber selection. Many local timber varieties are a blend of trees. There is nothing wrong with timber blends however they often result a great variety of colours and extreme differences can result in a busy looking floor. Not that there isn't a large range of colours in Blackbutt however the differences are toned down in comparison to some of the timber blends that Blackbutt competes with. It is often used.

It is used as a whole of home timber because everything is available. With some timbers the flooring is available but none of the ancillary items are manufactured. So for example you can get the  floor boards but no trims to finish off the floor. A floor often requires much more in the way of support items. Trim for the edges in beading or quad. Then transition boards at entries. Stair nosing may also be required. If these support items aren't available then close alternatives may be needed but with several timbers this can be a pick and mix approach. It can look ok but it's not the same as drawing on this single species.

It has become a common timber used in homes and in shops. For Europeans it is worth noting that Blackbutt is more than twice as durable as timbers such as oak or mahogany. It is a superb timber.

Certain timbers stand out in flooring because the whole range of timber plus accessories are readily available at a reasonable cost. Blackbutt, Jarrah and oak are all good examples. This introduces an important factor in flooring. For many timbers you certainly can obtain nosing’s and trims but these must be especially manufactured. They are not off the shelf items. This more than doubles the cost and the waiting time is usually tripled. With NSW Blackbutt this is not the case.    This timber is in constant use and the support items are always obtainable.

The colour of the timber is suited to modern colour choices. The trend towards light, bright and practical homes has contributed to the use of Blackbutt. It's tones range from pale fawns, light browns and soft grey. Some pink tones and darker browns keep the colour interesting. If you desire to keep the colouring light the timber can be finished in a natural Bona or OSMO finish. If you want darker tones then coat the floor in a solvent borne floor finish using traditional polyurethane.

A few notes on sanding and finishing. Blackbutt is a lovely timber to sand. It finishes very well. Floor sanders take care not to over sand the timber as it can polish up very quickly. This is very important. We have seen cases where floor sanders over polished the timber and it became so shiny that the surface wouldn't take coatings. In fact they stuck but peeled off after a short six week period. If the sander checks the instructions on the coatings used they will find that the manufacturer actually specifies the finishing sanding stage. Usually somewhere between 100 grit and 220 grit depending on the type of finish whether oil or waterborne. Blackbutt coats with all types of floor coating designed for internal timber surfaces.