Purchasing a wood floor can be a complicated process, especially if it's your first time. Learning about all of the unique product differences and industry-specific terminology used can be intimidating and overwhelming - Hardwood Bargains is here to help you navigate through this, and to make the right choice for your wood flooring project. One of the questions that we get asked about a lot here in our showroom is, "Aluminum Oxide; what is it? And how does it protect the wood?"
Aluminum Oxide, also known as Alumina, is a chemical compound of aluminum and oxygen, and is commonly used in the production of aluminum metal. The overall hardness, insoluble nature, and an extremely high melting point make Aluminum Oxide essential in a number of applications including electrical insulation, composite fibers, and medical applications such as joint and hip replacements.
It is also utilized in finishes for hardwood flooring. At the factory level, coats of polyurethane are applied to the wood, and aluminum oxide particles are added, increasing the strength and durability of the finish. Adding the compound will increase the resistance to scratches, as well as general wear and tear. We use this finish on many of our floors - It is so durable that we are able to confidently offer finish warranties of 25 years or greater. With aluminum oxide finished floors, clean-up and floor maintenance is simple and straightforward, overall hardness and scratch resistance are increased, and you get a beautiful, timeless, durable hardwood floor that you and your family can enjoy for years to come.
