Oil Based Vs Water Based Polyurethane For Hardwood Floors

Oil based polyurethane or water borne polyurethane.

Oil based vs water based polyurethane for hardwood floors.

Yes the oil based does smell strong but we would much prefer to get the best durability and so the tradeoff is worth it. We chose oil based for our hardwood floors which are being refinished right now. The odor and possible health effects of using a high voc product should always be considered but especially if you re refinishing hardwood floors in the. The biggest difference is in appearance.

This color difference is less noticeable over a stained hardwood floor but an oil based poly will still exhibit an amber hue that will continue to darken over time. Excellent information about oil vs water based polyurethane. There are many factors to think about when deciding on the finish of your hardwood floor. We ve given some key points to consider when making your decision oil based poly is simply more durable and lasts about twice as long as water based polyurethane.

At floor coverings international we offer both options but i strongly recommend oil. It s due to the chemical makeup. An oil based polyurethane will continue to amber and darken over time while water based poly will remain clear for the lifetime of the hardwood floor. Oil based polyurethane is much higher in vocs so it has a strong odor and is not environmentally friendly whereas water based polyurethane is a low voc product with little to no smell.

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