Different Types of Finishes for Hardwood Floors

Hardwood flooring is a popular option for many homes because it gives a room a beautiful, warm look and can increase the home's value. Durable hardwood floors require a good finish. There are many different types of finishes, all with their own unique characteristics. The purpose of any good finish is to give the flooring beneath ample protection from wear, dirt and moisture. In addition, most finishes provide a slight stain as well as a distinct sheen.

The most common surface finish for hardwood flooring is oil-modified urethane. This is a solvent-based polyurethane made from petroleum mixed with plasticizers and synthetic resins. This finish usually needs two to three coats, each taking about 8 hours to dry. The result is a very durable floor with a good resistance to moisture. An oil-modified urethane finish is available in a variety of sheen levels and will amber as it ages.

A second solvent-based polyurethane surface finish for hardwood floors is moisture-cured urethane. This is exceptionally durable and moisture-resistant. The downside of this finish is that it can be difficult to install and cure. Moisture-cured urethane is usually used in public settings that have extremely high traffic, such as offices and stores. This type of finish is available with a satin or gloss finish and in both nonyellowing and ambering varieties.

Water-based urethane is a durable, moisture-resistant, nonyellowing surface finish available at different sheen levels. This option is generally more expensive than other finishes. Water-based urethane typically dries in 2 to 3 hours. This urethane blend is mixed with plasticizers and synthetic resins.

The last two surface finishes are conversion-varnish sealers and aluminum oxide. Conversion-varnish sealers are made in Sweden and are often referred to as Swedish finishes. These alcohol-based surface finishes are very durable and nonyellowing. One of the newer surface finishes on the market is aluminum oxide. This finish is applied in several coats at a factory and is offered by most hardwood floor manufacturers with a 25-year warranty. Aluminum oxide finishes are extremely durable.

Penetrating sealers are an alternative to surface finishes. These sealers are solvent-based and can be used to seal as well as stain the floor. The oils in the finish are absorbed into the flooring, and a wax is then applied on top. Some penetrating sealers are made with linseed oil, which dries faster and helps increase the hardness of the floor. Penetrating sealers usually need to be reapplied more frequently than other finishes.

Other alternatives to the finishes covered above are the older methods for finishing wood floors. One of these older and more traditional options for hardwood is paste wax. This should be applied in thin coats over a stain and buffed to the preferred sheen. Varnish is another classic finish for hardwood floors. Though varnish was originally made using vegetable oils, most varnishes today are made from vinyl alkyd. Shellac is a wax-based finish that has become less popular in recent years. A special form of dewaxed shellac is occasionally used as a sealer for hardwood floors. Lacquer is one finish that should be avoided when at all possible. This finish is dangerously flammable and generally incompatible with most hardwood flooring.