Livos Australia's Blog

Timber Decking PART 1

With spring just around the corner, its time to start thinking about how to best protect your deck. 

Concrete Flooring with Livos

In Australia more and more concrete slabs are being used due to the increased awareness of the thermal properties of a slab. Concrete flooring is most useful and works well where the climate is cool or there is a high temperature range.

How do Livos treatments compare in looks to a varnished floor?

If you want a high gloss, plastic mirror finish, then the Livos oils are not for you. A varnished floor has a 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 and urethane based ‘Tung Oils’ also create a coating, however they generally do not edge bond the boards as the coatings are not as strong.

Cork and Livos

Cork is a truly a renewable raw material in the full sense of the word. It comes from the outer layer of the cork oak, which is peeled every 10 years or so, and then it rebuild itself to completely new again. When the cork granules are mixed with natural glue resin, the result is a true 100% natural product.

VOC's, Synthetic versus Natural

Do you believe a low or no VOC Synthetic product is healthier for you than a natural product with a relatively high VOC figure?

The issue is the type of VOC not how much VOC.

This information is aimed to provide food for thought when selecting products based on their VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) information and why other important issues must also be considered when choosing paints and finishes.

One of the biggest problems when combining pets and Livos is Urine Problems?

When urine comes into contact with an oiled floor we would recommend washing the area with a ph neutral cleaner as soon as possible. However when urine is left on the oils even after cleaning an unsightly black mark usually follows, sometimes this can 'disappear' over time with air and ventilation but for many the area remains marked.

Livos for furniture.

More and more woodworkers are turning to the Livos products to use on their furniture. They are loving the natural lustre it gives their beautiful pieces as well it's natural, non offensive smell and the fact that it's  completely non toxic!

How hard wearing are the non toxic Livos products, in particular the floor products?

The natural resins, waxes, and oils in Livos products impregnate the timber and seal it from within, allowing you to still feel the natural timber under your feet.  A varnish coating forms a plastic layer on top. Over time this "plastic" coating will start to peel and wear off.  Because the Livos products penetrate into the timber there is no coating as such to peel off. This allows for an easier rejuvenation down the track without the need to sand your boards, which means no dust and no moving out of your home for days whilst it is completed! Also sanding the boards each time you want your floors done will eventually wear down the timber and you will need to replace the timber which can be quite costly.

Deck Washing

See what is needed to best prepare your deck for treatment. 

We are often asked "Do you need to putty between the boards? "

If the gaps are wide and you can drop a card or 5 cent coin through, then it is best to close this gap from underneath (if you can). Filling from the top only is usually not sufficient as once the boards move through use and temperature fluctuations any filling can come loose and fall through too. Where as if the gap is closed from underneath then any loosened putty will be able to be supported .

What is the Livos finish like?

The livos oils are suitable for all types of timbers as well as concrete and porous stones, these natural oils are easy to maintain and develop a warm and luscious sheen to the surface while providing full protection from everyday living.

Breathable Paint: Plant based paints, a healthier option.

Plant based paints are becoming increasingly popular with the majority giving health reasons for their main decision criteria. Apart from the natural paints being healthier than ones manufactured from crude oil, one should also consider the vapour permeability “breathable” aspect of the paints as well as the manufacturing process.

Questions to consider about reusable and biodegradable !

Is there much benefit of going to the trouble of sourcing reclaimed or recycled timber; only to suffocate it in a plastic product made from crude oil? Imagine- building a new home or adding on to the one you have. You want to do the right thing and source timber that has been previously used, most likely loved and tells its own story.  You wouldn’t use it because it is cheaper, as it will cost you more, but you decide to use it because of your conviction to do the right thing. The thought process should not end there. Thinking further, one would hope to be able to reuse the timber again and again if need be and if worst comes to worst, can be disposed of in landfill with absolutely no issue of damaging the environment.

What is natural paint ?

The Livos natural paints are made with naturally occurring raw materials. They are biodegradable and non toxic. Unlike synthetic paints natural paints do not contain any petrochemical substances. They contain such ingredients such as chalk, marble earth pigments etc.

Indoor Mould

There are a number of issues where residents can be or should be educated to reduce a possible mould exposure. Mould spores are everywhere and only require the right conditions to create havoc. To some it will be no issue at all except that it looks unsightly however to many it could be life threatening. It is also interesting to note, whilst one is not affected by mould, or a chemical for that matter at this point in time, one can very easily become sensitive at a later stage.

Testing your surface to use Livos Products

Did you know there is a quick and easy way to test any surface to see if it is suitable for the Livos oil? This includes new surfaces or those that have been previously treated.

Livos Oils for Bathrooms

The LINN Bathroom oil #1703 is our newest product. It has a  higher gloss finish and looks similar to a varnish more than a penetrating oil. The higher waxes that provide the added sheen also provide excellent protection from the soaps and harsher bathroom products common in that area.

Livos oils are suitable for Ply and cabinetry

Clarification of Ardvos and Kunos tin labels

Ardvos and Kunos tin labels do state " Suitable to a limited extent for OSB and veneer. Not to be used on cabinet interiors, stained wood or for the treatment of plywood " however.....

Safe & Natural kids paints

Children, more so than adults are influenced and effected by the environment, pollutants and chemicals, so why would you allow your child to use something on their sensitive skin if you did not know what it is made of?

Chance meetings at the Fitzroy Hall

It was at another chance meeting at an expo combined with many long months of campaigning through the various avenues of council hierarchy that we as Anro were contracted to sand and oil the beautiful old hardwood floor at the Fitzroy Town hall ( dating back to 1873 and recorded as “Heritage place" by Heritage Victoria.

Spring time is deck time

Winter is finally over and the daylight hours are increasing. Flowers are blooming and barbeques are being fired up. Now may be the best time to pay the deck some attention.

Case study of a school hall and Gym

Site:  Award winning St Mary’s Primary School

This is a school hall in Bairnsdale that has used local tradespeople to finish their 757 sq mt of new harwood Vic Ash Flooring in May 2011 using the Livos eco friendly oils, even with the many visitors and years later it looks amazing!

One man's trash is another man's treasure.

Or so my daughter said when she dragged home a thickly varnished table.
On closer inspection, it was found to be made out of solid hardwood. The size and shape was good but it was so heavily varnished and badly done at that!

Are We Going Mad?

How many people do you know that have some form of allergy or sensitivity, wether the exact cause is known or not? Why does Australia have one of the highest asthma and allergy rates in the world?

What is a sustainable design?

A truly sustainable design means considering the environmental impact of all construction materials right down to the paints and finishes.
Did you know that your choice of building materials and coatings may have long term ramifications on many levels?

But how is Livos Australia really different ?

By using the Livos non-toxic plant based products you will be creating a healthier living environment, giving you peace of mind.
Full Declaration; all ingredients are listed and openly declared (since 1984) on all products and data sheets. The “List of Raw Materials” is available on this web site for easy reference to some of the lesser known ingredients.

But why bring Livos to Australia?

After working extensively in the coatings industry in Switzerland, Angela and Robert relocated to Australia bringing with them a new prospective on health issues caused by many synthetic products.

How did things really begin for Livos ?

Livos has over 40  years of research, experience and constructive innovations making LIVOS Germany the oldest industrial manufacturer of ecological paints and oils, World Wide. But how did things really begin?