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What Hardwood Floor Finishes are the Most Durable?
Updated: 6 days ago
Busy homes need finishes that last. Here is how the common options compare.
Planning a project? Talk with Joe Avila: call 908-232-6600 or book a virtual consultation.
Your hardwood has lost its shine, and you decide it is time for a little refinishing. With so many types of finishes on the market, deciding on the right one can be a tricky one. The finish you choose for your hardwood can affect the value of your home, and you always want results that look the absolute best.
Constantly refinishing your floors can be a headache, and an expensive process, so you will want to choose one that lasts for a long time.
Let’s consider the amount of traffic your floor receives every day. If you have children who play on it or pets moving about, the wear and tear on it is going to build up at a much faster rate. In such cases, your top concern would be durability.
Which Hardwood Floor Finish Is Most Durable?
There are many finishing options for you to consider. Included on the list are:
Water based
Surface sealers
Lacquer
Oil based urethane
Penetrating finishes
Swedish finishes
Each of these are valid options, depending on your need. So, which finish is the fit for you?
Water-Based Urethane
Water Based Urethane
Water based urethane dries by evaporation, giving your floor a clear finish with UV inhibitors that delay the color changing process of wood. It is a popular choice to use on maple as it helps to bring out its natural color.
Using this hardwood floor finish has other advantages. For example:
It dries easily.
Has less odor.
It is easy to clean.
It is cost friendly.
However, they do not last quite as long as other polyurethanes because they evaporate fast. They must be applied more often, which means higher costs overall.
Surface Sealers
You may also want to consider surface sealers made of solvent and resin. When they are applied, the resin remains after the solvent evaporates, hardening and forming a layer that protects your hardwood.
Specifying floors for a client or your own home? Book a virtual consultation with Joe Avila.
Shellac
Shellac Shellac is formed when the droppings of the lac bug are combined with denatured alcohol. It is an old favorite of woodworkers; it makes the floor shine naturally with a beautiful result. It’s a good option for a few reasons, as it:
Is inexpensive
Dries up fast
Does not yellow.
However, you will need to apply it constantly because it dries quickly and does not last long.
Lacquer
Lacquer Lacquer is an excellent choice if you find the finishing process tedious. It is easily sprayed on floors and dries fast. However, it has toxic fumes and is not the most durable finish on the market.
Oil Base Urethane
Oil based urethane is the most used finish for wood floors because they provide a glossy shine. Many different sheens are available. Although they take longer to dry, they last and are good to use on floors which get high traffic.
Have a question about your own floor? Joe Avila can walk you through it.
Penetrating Finishes
A penetrating finish is an excellent choice if you want to stain your floor. These are made of tung, linseed or other natural oils.
Excess use of penetrating finishes may cause seepage through gaps, or “bleed back.” Notwithstanding, its application can last for a good number of years.
Swedish Finish
Swedish Finish For high traffic floors, try a Swedish finish. It is an alcohol-based varnish discovered in the 1960’s, known for its durability. Even though it needs to be handled carefully, as it is known to be highly flammable, many professionals still choose to apple it for its truly exceptional durability. All it takes to maintain its shine is a light mopping. If durability ranks high on your list of needs, try an oil based, penetrating, or Swedish floor finish.
Quick Answers
Which hardwood floor finish is the most durable?
For durability, this article recommends oil-based urethane, a penetrating oil finish or a Swedish finish.
What are the benefits of water-based urethane?
It dries easily, has less odor, is easy to clean and keeps colors clear, but it needs to be reapplied more often.
Is shellac a good floor finish?
Shellac is inexpensive, dries fast and does not yellow, but it does not last long.
What is a Swedish finish?
An alcohol-based varnish known for exceptional durability. It is highly flammable, so it must be handled carefully.
Talk to a Wood Flooring Specialist
Not sure which option fits your project? Call 908-232-6600 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern), visit our showroom at 406B West Broad Street in Westfield, New Jersey, or book a virtual consultation. We work with homeowners, architects and designers across New Jersey, New York City and the East Coast, and serve clients nationwide.
Call 908-232-6600, email joe@hugginsflooring.com or book a virtual consultation. Explore our sanding and finishing, eco-friendly finishes and floor care services.
About The Author
Joe Avila has 26 years in the wood flooring trade. He is an NWFA-certified wood flooring inspector, installer and sander, and for more than a decade he has taught accredited continuing-education programs for AIA, ASID and IDCEC audiences, training thousands of architects and design professionals in how to specify wood flooring correctly.
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