Water-Based Vs. Oil-Based Polyurethane Floor Finishes
- Polyurethane is used to seal a wood floor. The application can be bought in a number of shines from flat to hi-gloss. It depends on the type of look you are seeking. Some homeowners like a natural look to their floors, while others want it to shine like glass. Apply polyurethane wet. As it dries, it begins to harden and cure. This hardening process seals the wood from moisture and protects it against everyday use and scratching. The floor may become scratched, but with polyurethane, the wood is still protected. Several coats are traditionally applied.
- Water-based polyurethane is free of the pungent odors associated with traditional oil-based polyurethane products. Water-based products are more practical and can be reapplied to the first coat within hours. They dry much faster. They preserve the natural color of the wood and go on clearer than oil-based products. If you have stained your floor, this may not matter much, but for others trying to achieve a light natural wood color, water-based polyurethane may be the better choice.
- Oil-based polyurethane has a strong odor but gives your floor a slightly better shine. Applying oil-based polyurethane is a longer process than water-based. Most oil-based products -- regardless of shine -- must be applied at least five hours apart. The final coat can require as many as 12 hours to cure before the room can be used. An oil-based polyurethane on a natural wood surface such as maple it will give the wood a slight amber appearance.
- Both polyurethane products will offer enough protection for your floor if they are applied properly and with enough coats. If you are short on time, then water-based is clearly the way to go. If you have certain woods that could benefit from that amber tint and you have the time to dedicate to oil-based, then that may influence your decision as well. Water-based products cost nearly twice the amount as oil-based because of the faster drying times and decreased odors. Water-based products need more coats than oil-based because of the decreased amount of solids in the mixture. These solids are what create the protective and hard finish. Oil-based products need only two coats on average versus four coats with water-based.