What is the best finish to use on wood flooring?
After having to pick the type of flooring, pick the supplier and then pick the flooring installer/floor finisher, sometimes these final decisions like the right hardwood floor finish can seem overwhelming! There are a lot of choices out there when it comes to a finish for your hardwood flooring. We often get asked which is the best wood floor finish. There are many choices but not all hardwood finishes are created equal. We wanted to provide our customers and other homeowners with some insight in the best choices for their flooring. Lets review the options.
Wood Wax Finish
Pros: Easy to apply, Low Luster/Matte Stains, Penetrates into wood, Mild odor
Cons: Not as durable as polyurethane finishes, Stains more easily, Needs regular upkeep (refinishing), Must be completely removed before applying a polyurethane finish
Wax finishes have been around for a long time. It was the main type of finish chosen through the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s until polyurethane became available in the 1970’s. There are several pros to choosing a wax wood finish. They include:
increased stain resistance – it limits the absorption of spills to keep floors from staining.
minimizes minor imperfections- wax finish helps fade and minimize the appearance of superficial scratches, dings, and scuffs marks.
prolongs your wood floor’s life- wax increases the hardiness of floors and allows them to potentially last years longer than un-waxed floors if regularly maintained.
It can be applied as a DIY job but it is labor intensive. If you are specifically looking for a matte look to your pine or hardwood floors, then it is the right wood finish choice for you. However, beware that it does take more upkeep and doesn’t seal the wood as well as other finishes.
Polyurethane Oil-Based Finish
From thefamilyhandyman.com
Pros Cons Less expensive than water-based polyurethane Long drying time (8 to 10 hours between coats) Extremely tough High odor during application; high VOCs Easy to apply Gets yellow with age (benefit to some)
Oil based polyurethane finishes have been used in the wood floor finishing industry since they came on the scene in the 1970’s. It is a very hardy oil based finish that will protect the wood better than wax. If you are replacing flooring in your home and your home is from the the 70’s through the 90’s, you will want to pick this to match the other flooring in your home. There is a good chance that this was the type of finish used.
There are several sheens available and really the sheen is based on personal preference. It ranges from from high gloss to satin. Chances are a professional flooring finisher will recommend this type of finish because of its low cost. If the project is being finished before moving in, then it could be a good choice. However, we feel like its negatives outweigh the pros especially if it is a remodel job while living in the residence. The long drying time and high odor levels makes home flooring refinishing a long, smelly procedure.
Polyurethane Water-Based Finish
Pros Cons Fast drying time (2 to 4 hours between coats) More expensive than oil polyurethane Low odor; low VOCs (eco-friendly) Slightly less tough than oil polyurethane Doesn’t yellow like oil based polyurethane Easy to apply; good for DIYers
Water-Based Polyurethane is the winner in our books. It is hardy and will protect those wood floors. It also dries quickly which means you can re-finish and not necessarily have to move out of the property (depending on individual sensitivity). Some oil base finishes will yellow over time.This option will not, ensuring it is a long term investment that will pay off. On top of all that, the low VOC means you are making a healthier choice for your family and the environment. Similar to oil based polyurethane, the sheen is based on personal preference. Professionals Tip: For high traffic areas, pick satin or a low gloss option to help keep floors looking new.