so I am removing around 100 sq ft of oak hardwood floor, 3/4" thick. Debating whether to burn or not. The top was polyurethaned probably 30 years ago and is worn thin in spots. Thanks!
Years ago, I burned bowling pins. They are made of hard maple and were excellent firewood. The burning dripping molten surlyn coating gave a very interesting look to the fire. A different time and we didn't think about what was coming out of the chimney. As far as I can tell, we got lucky because so long as there is enough oxygen, the surlyn burns to about the same carbon dioxide and water vapor that wood makes and leaves less ash. But that was pure dumb luck if in fact it is correct at all. I'd look into what the products of combustion are for polyurethane and if there is nothing dangerous coming out the chimney, go for it.
I would, but mixed in with other wood. Don't want a stove full of chemical stank. I wouldn't burn it if I had an open fireplace.
I wouldn't hesitate to burn it in the shop stove at all, but I would not burn it in a cat stove though. Man...if my shop stove could talk, I'd be in trouble.
Nope. I doubt it would have any significant consequences inside my house, but I would neither be happy to know that my upwind neighbors were doing it, nor inflict it on my unsuspecting downwind neighbors.
It doesn't sound like a good idea. https://polyurethane.americanchemis...es-Acute-Toxicity-of-Smoke-and-Fire-Gases.pdf
Hey Shawn, I don't know how old you are but there was a TV show on in the late 70's called "Soap"..... Now after reading all four pages of the above listed link, it reminded me of that particular sitcom. They ended every episode with: " Confused?..... You won't be after the NEXT episode of Soap." Billy Crystal pretty much debut'd in that series, if that tells you anything.
Full Disclosure: I didn't even read the first sentence of that article, I just thought the title sounded bad. I read in another article that burning it produces Dioxin, but this article looked more like an official study. I really don't know how bad it is. Even the smoke from cordwood can produce some nasty cancer causing stuff. Is this worse? Maybe. How much? No idea. [EDIT] It's likely to be on the 'too dry' side anyhow.
No, I would not. Burning of any inorganic molecule is likely to create some nasty toxins. Would it affect you, your family or your neighbors directly?...who knows?...is it worth the risk?...not to me.
IDK, that is a tough question. If he doesn't burn it, what does he do with it? Send it to the landfill? Is that really better? I'd probably plane off 1/64" on the polyurethane side, wearing a good dust mask, send that to the landfill and burn the rest as kindling. What amuses me is, that we are concerned about the fumes off of what would be less than a half gallon of poly being put into the air. Bad enuff I guess, but if most had any idea what gets burned in farm country on a daily basis they'd have a stroke! I'm not a tree hugger, I'm a tree cutter, but I do realize we need to take care of this old rock we call home.
to me it depends on how close you are to others. if you are near someone i wouldn't burn. on the other hand, if you are rural i saw burn away as i assume there is barely any finish left on the floor at all. jmho
I'm a complete newbie when it comes to wood burning. That said, I'd burn a piece here and there, mixed with your regular firewood. As stated before, it's really not that much poly. It's been walked on for 30 years. Your neighbors aren't on your roof directly sniffing what's coming out of your chimney. There's very little poly:wood when it comes down to it and what comes out of the chimney will be diluted by the atmosphere. Burn away. It's likely better than tossing it in a landfill somewhere and paying to do it.
