Flooring 101: Which Flooring Finish is Right For You
As you make the decision on which floor is the best for your home, consider also the finish. The finish can seem like a negligible detail compared to the beauty and texture of the wood but they are integral to keeping your floors lasting and beautiful as they go on. Here is a guide to some of the most common wood finishes and what they have to offer, with information gathered from HouseLogic.com
Wax
The beloved finish of choice of the floors before 1970, and as such works best on older floors from before that era. A wax finish is a finish you can apply and reapply on its own. A simple finish for those interested in taking a personal hand in the caretaking of its own floor. A good simple finish that’s easy and handy to work with. A wax finish tends to darken the wood it is applied to.
Water Based Polyurethane
The water based polyurethane is easy to apply and has a low luster but is a bit on the more expensive side. It’s considered the standard for floors today just as wax was once upon a time and like wax appeals to those who have a DIY attitude towards applying their floor finishes.
Oil Based Polyurethane
Oil based polyurethanes are not a DIY flooring finish but is the preferred floor finish of professionals. It’s easy to apply will last long, however it has a high VOC count which can cause irritation if you’re not careful.
Acid Cured Finish
A very high end finish, the acid cured finish lies on the more expensive types. It is acid cured with an incredibly high VOC so you may have to stay away from it for a few days after application. You would have to keep things off of it for two weeks but you can walk on it after about three days. A very expensive finish recommended best for high end forms of wood.
Moisture Cured Urethane
This is one of the toughest and hardest finishes one that’s best left as well to the professional as it needs a steady hand as to avoid lap marks. The VOC count on this is also high. This finish because of its incredible durability is recommended for homes with a high foot traffic that could sometimes get messy pets and dogs and the like.
Penetrating Oil Sealer
A penetrating oil sealer is perfect for making your floor moisture proof. It’s a wonderful finish that its self is not incredibly durable requiring a recoating every few years in order to stay in one piece. It’s better qualities are an easy application and unlike many floor finishes on here. it’s non toxic meaning with a low VOC count.
Aluminum Oxide
Aluminum oxide comes with a catch 22 It’s incredibly durable 25 years of durability and is very tough. However you will need to reapply it after 25 years. It’s a very specific finish that requires finer tools and techniques to alter or fix. A good finish for those dedicated to their floors.
Shellac
A shellac finish is exclusively good for antique objects and floors as its finish has been obsolete for quite some bit. It’s incredibly indureable and can only be refinished using wax. However, again, if you are lucky to have a fine antique floor a shellac finish is already what you’re left with and much can be done with it using wax.
Let these different finish types guide you in finding the one perfect for you.