Do you know the difference between a hardwood floor that lasts for several years and one that doesn’t? The answer is simple! The topcoat or finish! For that reason, we bring you the 6 most common types of hardwood floor finish!
If you love your hardwood floor, then you must take good care of it. A floor finish is essential to avoid severe wear and tear. But, choosing the right finish for your floor is not an easy task. This is because there are many options, and it all depends on your needs and wants.
So, in this blog, we’ll discuss some details about the most common types of wood floor finish. As a result, you’ll be able to make the best decision for your floor!
Choose Among the 6 Best Types of Hardwood Floor Finish!
It doesn’t matter what kind of hardwood floor you have; you should protect it as much you can from the wear and tear. Whether you just installed your new floors or you’re refinishing the ones you already have, you must choose the right type of finish.
Before choosing your floor finish, you must first consider the following:
- Level of traffic your floors receive
- Drying times
- Your budget
- The type of hardwood floor
After you’ve thought about these points, then it’s time to choose the coat that will protect your floors!
These are the best types of hardwood floor finish:
- Wax finish
- Acid-cured finish
- Penetrating oil sealer
- Aluminum oxide
- Water-based polyurethane
- Oil-based polyurethane
Now, we’ll discuss them in more detail:
Wax for Your Hardwood Floor
If you want a finish that is easy to apply and dries quickly, then we recommend wax finish. This was used before polyurethane finishes were invented, so it goes way back.
It’s better to choose wax as your protective coat if you have a darker or warmer hardwood floor. This is because, over time, wax tends to yellow or darken.
The disadvantage to wax finish is that it is not as durable as you would want. Also, you wouldn’t want to use wax in your bathroom or kitchen because when it is exposed to water it can create white marks.
Acid-Cured Finish
Now, if you want a finish that is more durable than the famous polyurethanes, then you need an acid-cured finish. This type of finish is also known as Swedish finish and is extremely durable.
Acid-cured finishes are alcohol-based, and, as the name implies, acid is used for the curing process. As a result, it is not as easy to apply as other hardwood floor finishes. This is because they have a powerful odor and release a lot of volatile organic compounds (VOC).
Another disadvantage to acid-cured finish is that it is not easy to touch up. But, you wouldn’t have to worry about this because of its extreme durability! This type of topcoat can resist chemical damage and scratches.
Penetrating Oil Sealer
Do you want the natural grain and color of your wood to show off? Then, what you need is a penetrating oil sealer. But, beware as they are not as durable and you would need to apply it again every few years.
However, some homeowners prefer this type of finish because they can look at their hardwood’s grain and depth. Oil sealers are great if you don’t want a high gloss for your wood floor.
One of the most common types of penetrating oil sealers is tung oil. It goes into the wood’s pores and helps prevent some scratches. A great factor about oil sealers is that they are easy to apply and touch up. And, you would have to retouch it every few years due to its little durability, especially in a high-traffic area.
Aluminum Oxide: A Long-Lasting Type of Finish
For the most durable finish, you need to go with aluminum oxide. What is great about this wood floor finish is that it is long-lasting and requires very little maintenance.
This is one of the types of hardwood finish that maintains the wood’s color and grain. But, the con is that it is not easy to apply or touch up. This is because this aluminum oxide finish is only available on refinished wood planks. So, you wouldn’t be able to just buy some and apply it to your floors.
Water-Based Polyurethane
Another option for a high gloss finish is water-based polyurethane. Since it has a very durable finish, it is great for areas where you have some heavy furniture. It has a hard coat, so it will protect your hardwood floor from getting dents.
Several people prefer this type of coat because of the many benefits it offers. It is easy to apply and touch up as it doesn’t release harmful VOCs. So, you could do this job by yourself! It also dries quickly so you would only have to wait about 2 or 4 hours between each coat.
Oil-Based Polyurethane
Finally, we have oil-based polyurethane. Together with water-based poly, they are the most common types of hardwood floor finish. We recommend this type of finish if you have dark or yellow-toned wood floors. This is because oil-based poly tends to darken over time.
Even though this is a very durable finish, it releases a lot of VOCs and dries slowly. In other words, it would be very hard to apply this by yourself. Oil-based poly is more common in commercial properties. But, some homeowners like to use it in high-traffic areas of the house.
We recommend you look at water-based and oil-based poly pros and cons so that you make the best decision for your floor.
Now, you have all the information you need to choose the right type of finish for your hardwood floor! Remember to take into account all the factors we mentioned above before making any decisions.