What’s an aluminum oxide finish?  What does the Claritage® Extra finish do exactly?  This blog is here to help.

Aluminum Oxide Finishes

Aluminum oxide is a naturally occurring mineral that takes a crystalline form.  You might know it as corundum, which has two primary varieties: rubies and sapphires.  

Aluminum oxide is an exceptionally hard and dense material commonly used in hardwood flooring finishes because of the strength and durability it offers.  It’s sometimes even used as an industrial substitute for diamonds.

To make hardwood flooring finishes, aluminum oxide is ground up into a fine powder and mixed with UV-cured urethane finishes.  When everything dries, the microscopic aluminum oxide rocks form a protective layer that’s much stronger against scuffs and scratches then sand on site finishes.  

Some aluminum oxide finishes also use nanotechnology, which is made by manipulating things at the atomic and molecular level.  By creating finishes that use microscopic particles, those teeny tiny particles can fill in smaller cracks and fissures to create a tighter seal, resulting in greater clarity while maintaining wear resistance.

Nanotechnology floor coatings provide more coverage, are more durable, and are easier to clean. Several of our finishes use this technology to help your floors stay in top shape.

Aluminum oxide finishes are some of the strongest hardwood floor finishes available, and all of our products feature aluminum oxide finishes.  Here’s a quick guide to the different aluminum oxide finishes we use on our products:

Standard Aluminum Oxide Finish
 

• all the benefits of strength and durability derived from aluminum oxide
• large particles of aluminum oxide to provide greater protection
• long cure rate to ensure optimal hardness

PPG Ultra Low Gloss Finish

In addition to all the benefits of aluminum oxide:

• matte finish
• beautiful, consistent quality and feel

Claritage® Extra Finish

In addition to all the benefits of aluminum oxide:

• nanotechnology for a tighter seal
• greater scuff resistance and clarity

Aluminum Oxide Finish + Antimicrobial Protection

In addition to all the benefits of aluminum oxide:

• antimicrobial coating that controls the growth of unwanted bacteria and fungi & protects flooring from stains and discoloration
• greater resistance to color change from UV exposure
• more resistant to household chemicals
• nanotechnology for a tighter seal

If you have any questions about our different finishes, please contact us.  We are happy to help!