The most common type of wood floor finish we deal with in the residential flooring industry is polyurethane. This is a surface sealer that forms a durable topcoat to protect natural or stained wood. Polyurethane comes in oil and water-based varieties. These products are available in a range of finishes from a glossy shine to a soft satin. Here’s a rundown of the pros and cons of oil vs. water:
Oil-Based Topcoats
- Bring out the rich texture of wood and deepen the color, turning lighter wood a nice honey color
- Thicker formula requires fewer coats
- Has hard finish
- Tends to level out more evenly
- Dries slowly (five hours between coats plus an overnight drying at the end)
- Pretty intense fumes
- Solvents used in cleanup
Water-Based Topcoats
- Only change the color of wood very slightly, leaving the existing stain or unstained wood looking close to its original state
- Fast drying (about two hours between coats)
- Low fumes
- Environmentally friendly
- Cleanup is done with water
- May be more expensive than oil-based products
Both types of finish require regular maintenance to stay looking their best. Give us a call to learn more about our hard buffing and screen and coat program! 301-990-7775
