If you plan to have your old wood floors refinished or want to protect your newly installed hardwood floors, you’ll need to select a and apply a top coat to protect them. There are several types of finishes for hardwood floors available. We discuss the most common types below.
WATER-BASED POLYURETHANE
One of the most popular finishes for hardwood floors is a water-based polyurethane finish. Water-based polyurethane is made with of synthetic resins and plasticizers. It’s a very durable finish that provides some moisture-resistance and is easy to clean and maintain. This top coat is best if you are looking for a clear protective coat that will let the wood grain show through and will not yellow overtime.
Water-based polyurethane finishes for hardwood floors are easy to apply, dry quickly and produce low odor and low VOCs. Even though gloss is the most popular sheen for water-based polyurethane, semi-gloss and satin sheens are also available. Keep in mind that glossy clear finishes will show scratches easier. If you plan to have your old wooden floors refinished with a water-based polyurethane, you must make sure that your wood floors are properly refinished prior to applying a top coat.
OIL-BASED POLYURETHANE
Oil-based polyurethane is also one of the favorite types of finishes for hardwood floors. Its application is better for high traffic areas as it is highly durable, resists moisture and is easy to clean and maintain. The draw back of oil-based polyurethane finishes for hardwood floors is that they take longer to dry, have a strong odor and emit more VOCs than water-based polyurethane finishes. Oil-based polyurethane finishes also yellow overtime.
Oil-based polyurethane finishes are made of linseed oil, synthetic resins and plasticizers. They are available in gloss, semi gloss and satin sheens. Because of their durability, the are often used in commercial settings where there is quite a bit of foot traffic. However, this type of top coat can also be used in homes to provide additional protection to areas with lots of foot traffic like kitchens and entryways.
MOISTURE-CURED URETHANE
Moisture-cured urethane finishes for hardwood floors are mostly commonly used for commercial applications like restaurants, dance floors and bowling alleys. They are the most durable top coats available and dry to a very high shine. Moisture-cured urethane finishes resist moisture, staining, scratches and wear from high foot traffic.
The drawback of moisture-cured urethane topcoats is that they emit very high levels of VOCs and can take as long as two weeks to cure. Applying a moisture-cured urethane top coat is difficult and mostly done by professionals. The area where it is applied needs to be property ventilated and acclimated as this type of top coat requires the right level of moisture to cure properly.
WAX
Wax is another type of finishes for hardwood floors that is popular among homeowners. Applying wax to your wood floors results in a low sheen finish that produces very little VOCs. The wax can be combined with a wood stain and dries quickly. The disadvantage of applying wax as a top coat is that it is a labor intensive process that is not very durable. Wax top coats also darken and yellow overtime and are best used on wood floors that have a warm glow.
Wax top coats are not very resistant to moisture and water spills will leave white marks on those top coats making this finish a less than ideal choice for bathrooms and kitchens.
Wax top coats were the top choice to finish hardwood floors for hundreds of years until the 1960s when polyurethane finishes were developed and introduced to the market. Wax top coats which come in either a liquid or paste are still being used for older, historic homes and by homeowners who want their wooden floors to have a dimer sheen.
OIL SEALER
Penetrating oil sealers were also popular before the introduction of polyurethane finishes for hardwood floors in the 1960s. They are known for producing a low shine that enhances the natural beauty and wood grain of hardwood floors. However, this type of finish is not a very durable and will need to be re-applied every three to five years as it does not hold up too much to foot traffic. It also takes a while to dry, usually about 24 hours. Water and chemicals can also spot and damage oil-sealed wood floors. However, this type of finish is still used in historical homes that have old wooden floors as it brings out the rich colors and natural beauty old hardwood floors. Unlike other types of finish, penetrating oil sealers don’t leave a hard protective coat atop the wood boards because the oil is absorb into the pores of the wood. For that reason, the application of a penetrating oil sealer must be followed by the application of a wax coat.
SHELLAC
Shellac is another option for top coat that is natural and has low emission of VOCs. Shellac is made from denatured alcohol mixed with secretions from the lac bug, an insect found in Asia. Because it contains alcohol, Shellac is flammable. It’s also difficult to apply and not as durable as other options available for top coats.
Shellac is not a new finish. It has been used for hundreds of years. It naturally dries into an orange tint and high gloss sheen. Adding denatured alcohol to the mix will create a more matte finish. Shellac dries quickly and is difficult to apply. As compare to polyurethane finishes, Shellac is more likely to stain and water spills will leave spots. It also does not hold up very well to foot traffic.
ACID-CURED FINISH
If you are looking for a finish that is more durable than polyurethane, acid-cured finishes might be the best choice for you. This type of finish has the advantage of being durable while letting the wood grain, color and natural beauty of wood come through. On the downside, acid-cured finishes are highly flammable because they contain alcohol. They also produce high VOCs and a strong smell and must be applied by professionals in well ventilated areas. Once applied, an acid-cured finish will look glossy and will protect hardwood floors against chemical damage, scratches, and moisture.
ALUMINUM OXIDE
Aluminum oxide finish is only available for pre-finished wood planks as it is applied at the factory level. This type of finish provides exceptional durability and fantastic for high foot traffic areas. It is available it different sheens and is very low maintenance. Because wood planks are finished with aluminum oxide at the factory level, there is no strong smell or VOCs to be concerned about when installed in a home.
Aluminum oxide is a mineral that, when applied to wood planks, yields long last protective properties. It protects wood planks against scratching, fading, moisture damage, wear and tear without masking the grain and color of the wood beneath. This type of top coat can last as much as 25 years.
If you live in the Charlotte NC region and are wanting to refinish your hardwood floors, contact Charlotte Wood Floors today. We specialize in refinishing hardwood floors and the application of protective top coats. Call us today to request your free in home estimate.
