1. What is the finish like?
Depending on the type of timber, product used, and grit that the timber is sanded to, a matt, satin, or semi GLOSS can be achieved. This is achieved by the scientific blending of natural tree resins and natural plant oils creating a range of Livos Hardening Oils, such as Ardvos, Meldos, and Kunos. It feels more natural under ones feet, unlike the plastic coating feel associated with a varnish.
2. How hard wearing is it?
The natural resins, waxes, and oil impregnates the timber and seals from within. There is no plastic coating on top of the timber to be worn off. A maintenance plan will keep your floor looking great for many years to come. Rejuvenation is easy if and when required. No sanding (therefore no dust) or moving out is required. There is no hard and fast rule as to how often to rejuvenate. It all depends on the area of the home, the lifestyle, and whether the floors are cleaned and vacuumed regularly.
3. What about scratch marks? Timber is a natural product and will scratch if mistreated. However, on a satin or matt finish the scratch marks are less easily visible than on a gloss finish. Oiled floors may be spot repaired if and when required.
4. How do I maintain the floor?
A little sensible care will keep your timber floor a pleasure to live with. Prevent problems before they arise. The amount of care will depend on your location and lifestyle. Initially, vacuuming is the best method of cleaning. After the initial hardening/curing time, you may mop the floor with the Livos TRENA Neutral cleaner that we supply and recommend. This is a concentrate and very little is required; it may also be used on other surfaces such as tiles and lino. To achieve a slight sheen to the floor, the GLANOS Liquid Wax Cleaner may be used. These products may also be used on other surfaces.
5. Is it suitable on cork? Cork is sound insulating and when treated optimally with an oiled finish, becomes a foot warm, resilient and easy to care for floor covering. Maintenance is the same as for timber flooring -vacuum and occasional mopping with TRENA Neutral Cleaner.
6. Are these oils suitable for furniture? Yes. If the piece of furniture is already painted or stained, sanding back to bare timber is required. The oil cannot impregnate the timber if the timber is already treated with another product. Oil is easily applied with a cloth or brush, left to saturate and the excess removed. Some oils are also available in different colours /stains. The KALDET or KUNOS oils may be used instead of painting to achieve a different look.
7. How does it compare in price to the standard varnish? On first inspection, the prices of some products appear higher. However, when the coverage rates are compared, the Livos Hardening Oils work out more economical as coverage is higher per square metre. The ease of reapplication and the fact that no toxic fumes are added to the home atmosphere should also be considered. Please also consider the reallocation and product costs of redoing the floor with a chemical finish at a later stage.
Note: Each time a varnish coating is replaced, the thickness of your valuable floorboards are reduced. Continuous sanding will eventually result in loose floorboards requiring the whole surface to be replaced.
8. How does it compare in looks to a varnished floor? A varnished floor has a hard plastic coating covering the timber boards. These coatings are generally hard and edge bond the boards together. That is, the coating does not allow the boards to move, which may cause wide uneven gaps in some floors. So-called water based coatings as well as ‘Tung Oils’ (that are urethane based) also create a coating however generally do not edge bond the boards as the coatings are not as strong. Once synthetic coatings wear off, then re-sanding is required to recoat the floors. Floors oiled with Livos Hardening Oils feel more natural under the feet. The colour and markings of the timber are highlighted and the oil allows the boards to move individually.
9. May I seal my concrete floor/slab? A fresh concrete floor or slab must be clean and thoroughly dry before a suitable hardening oil –such as MELDOS or KUNOS can be applied. KUNOS is available in different colours or 5% of the Livos natural oil paint may be applied to a transparent oil to achieve a different look. Livos also has a natural concrete paint.
1. Is there an oil that is suitable for exterior timber decking and outdoor furniture? Yes. The fence and decking stain is an oil that again impregnates the timber and seals it from within. There is no coating on the surface to crack, peel, or blister in the sun. To rejuvenate, no sanding back is required, simply ensure the surface is clean and dry, then reapply.
Durability These are natural products and require maintenance. To maintain, simply add a thin coat to a clean surface (no sanding required.) Depending on the wear and tear or which side the area is facing, rejuvenation may take place every 12-24 months.
Finish
The finish is water-repellent, weather resistant, open pored, and permeable to water vapor. It also adheres to thin coatings of conventional stains.
Colour Range
There are different stains available to suit different timbers and climate conditions.
Application
Application is easy whether it is the initial oiling or the rejuvenation process. The oil may be applied with a cloth, brush, dipped or sprayed in dry weather conditions.
1. What is the difference between Livos and standard paints?
The Livos DUBRON paint is extremely porous and therefore permeable to water vapour. Mould does not build up as walls can ‘breath.’ The paints are safe to use and recycle. They have excellent coverage and provide a beautiful colour.
2. Is priming necessary? If the DUBRON 400 Wall and Ceiling Paint is used then priming with the GRAVA Primer (undercoat) is required. However, the DUBRON 414 already has the primer mixed into the paint.
3. What colours are available? The 17 main colours are: Sunny Yellow, Golden Yellow, Ocher, Red Ocher, English Red, Persian Red, Cream, Natural Umber, Burnt Umber, Linden Green, May Green, Green, Mint Turquoise, Black, Ultramarine Blue, Capri Blue, and Blue Violet.
These tints are non-fading and are mixable to any ratio to achieve a different colour shade.
4. Is there a gloss paint for doors and trims? Yes, the VINDO High Gloss and CANTO Natural Oil paints are suitable for interior (VINDO also suitable for exterior) timber and metal surfaces. Suitable priming should be carried out prior.
1. Do I require different cleaners for different surfaces?
No. The TRENA Neutral Cleaner is suitable for oiled timber floors as well as for waxed, stained, painted, or varnished surfaces. It can also be used on kitchen benches. lino, tiles, etc.
2. Do I need a cleaner at all?
The Livos cleaners are very gentle and also help maintain the surface. Only a small amount is required as the cleaners are concentrates.
3. My Linoleum looks dull…
You may use either the BIVOS Oil Wax or the GLEIVO Liquid Beeswax to restore the look of your floor.
1. Finger Paints You may use the SALIS Natural Finger Paints on any absorbent material, such as: wood, stone, unglazed clay, and cardboard, as well as paper.
It comes in a box of 6 glass containers.
Colours: Yellow, Red, Black, Green, Blue, and White.
2. Make-up (Face Paints) VIDA Natural Make-up is produced from natural raw materials without preservatives.
It comes in a set of 12, with a brush and cotton face cloth.
Colours: Ocher, Red ochre, English red, Persian red, Dark brown, Light brown, Black, Green, Dark blue, Light blue, Violet, and White.
1. I am chemically sensitive and have not found paints and floor finishes that I can tolerate.
All ingredients on all Livos products are openly declared and printed on all tins. This allows you, the consumer to make an informed decision. Livos products are all plant based and oils used are food grade (not industrial grade); however, some are sensitive to minute quantities of essential oils. For this reason, Livos also have a large range of products that are specially made for those with these types of sensitivities. These products contain no essential oils.
