The Two Major Types of Wood Floor Coatings (or Finishes)

If you are considering finishing your natural wood flooring, you have two different main choices: oil based finish or water based finish. To help you decide, we’ve provided a few differences between the two:

1. Oil Modified Urethane

This solvent-based polyurethane in typically the most common type of finish used on wood floors. Once applied, it takes about eight hours to dry, and it becomes amber-ish in color over time. Oil based finishes take about a month to cure.

2. Water Based Urethane

This finish is clear so it does not yellow, its scent is not as strong as oil based finishes, and it is usually more expensive. Water based finishes dry in about three hours after applying. They take about two weeks to cure.

There are also a few other types, but they are recommended for professional application only because they have very strong odors and are very difficult to apply. Solvent-based finishes are one type of professional finish; these are more durable than the previously mentioned urethanes.

Another durable urethane is acid cure urethane. Acid cure, or Swedish finish urethane is non-yellowing, but also best left to professionals for the reasons mentioned above. One of the most durable coatings is aluminum oxide, and has been used lately as a popular coat on prefinished wood floors.

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