Hardwood Floor Finishes Explained
Lasting beauty requires minimal care with today's wood floor finishes. These finishes are usually urethanes and remain on the surface of the wood and form a protective coating. Surface finishes are popular today because they are durable, water-resistant and require minimal maintenance. Various gloss levels are available.
Types of Hardwood Flooring Surface Finishes
Oil-modified urethane
Oil-modified urethane is easy to apply. It is a solvent-based polyurethane that dries in about twelve hours. This type of finish ambers.
Water-based urethane
Water-based urethane finishes are clear and non-yellowing. They have a milder odor and dry in about two to three hours.
Moisture-cured urethane
Moisture-cured urethane is solvent-based polyurethane that is more durable and more moisture resistant than other surface finishes. Moisture-cured urethane comes in non-yellowing and in ambering types and is generally available in satin or gloss. These finishes are extremely difficult to apply, have a strong odor and are best left to the professional.
Conversion varnish
Conversion varnish dries clear to slight amber and is durable. These finishes have an extremely strong odor and should be applied by the highly skilled flooring professional.
Penetrating Stain and Wax
Penetrating Stain and Wax: This finish soaks into the pores of the wood and hardens to form a protective penetrating seal. The wax gives a low-gloss satin sheen. It is generally maintained with solvent-based (never water-based) waxes, buffing pastes or cleaning liquids (specifically made for wax-finished wood floors) and an additional thin application of wax as needed.