In 2001 Rigo Special Coatings introduced the polyurethane wood floor varnish RigoStep TOP MATT. At that moment Top Matt was the mattest parquet and wood floor finish on the market and also the first matte finish that met all other demands.

 

With the introduction of RigoStep SKYLT at the end of 2003 Rigo Special Coatings went through a magic barrier.   With a gloss of less than 5 gloss units SKYLT is just as matte as unfinished wood. And while SKYLT has a slight bleaching effect also the color of the wood hardly changes. Therefore a  wood floor finished with SKYLT appears to be untreated and has the genuine "natural look".

 

In The Netherlands we don't need to advertise SKYLT. Architects and consumers see SKYLT in buildings or in the homes of friends or relatives and ask for SKYLT at their local floor store.

results first test

RigoStep SKYLT and RigoStep TOP MATT achieved as promised.  

Gloss values at a 60° angle as measured by "Mobilia".  

 
* this product only appeared matte because of insufficient layer thickness.
1K = 1-component; 2K = 2-components
 
RigoStep SKYLT appears as matte as untreated wood and TOP MATT beats all other one- and two-component wood floor varnishes and lacquers.  

Gloss values at a 85° angle as measured by "Mobilia".   


At this low angle view many so-called matt finishes appear to be rather glossy. But RigoStep Skylt proves to be as matte as untreated wood even from an angle of 85°.

The photo above of a cork floor in a museum illustrates the sheen effect.

From closeby (angle 60°) the view on the cork structure is clear, but looking from a distance (angle 85°) the finish gets glossy. This is called a sheen effect.  

 

To avoid a sheen effect, it is important to choose a finish that also has a low gloss at  an angle of 85°, like our RigoStep finishes   The floor on the photo above was not finished with RigoStep. In the meantime this American manufacturer uses a matt RigoStep cork varnish

results second test  

 
In the beginning of 2005 also RigoStep DUO MATT came available. DUO MATT (10 gloss units at  60° and 20 gloss units at 85°) is meant for high traffic floors such as low-glare floorings in public buildings, but is also available to consumers who only want the best and are willing to pay a premium.  

 

Contrary to SKYLT, which provides the look of unfinished wood, DUO MATT, like TOP MATT, brings to life the full wood color - but with a distinctive matte look. DUO MATT was tested in a second test in which Mobilia compared six special  finishes.  

 

Gloss values at a 60° angle as measured by "Mobilia".

 

Gloss values at a 85° angle as measured by "Mobilia".