Hardwood floor finishing is becoming increasingly popular as it makes your hardwood floors water resistant and durable, while also helping to reduce the overall effort involved in maintaining and cleaning your floor. Commonly referred to as polyurethane and urethane, they form a protective layer on your hardwood floors. Satin, matte, semi-gloss, and glossy are the different types of textures.
Hardwood floors can be finished with many different surface treatments. Some of the most common are listed below.
Moisture treated urethane
It is a solvent based polyurethane which is extremely durable and water resistant compared to all other types of paint. It is available in amber and non-yellowing finishes and is commonly offered in gloss and satin finishes. This type of varnish is very complicated to apply and has a very strong smell. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you always hire a professional for the application.
Oil treated urethane
This is the most common way of finishing hardwood floors as it is extremely easy to apply. It is made from petroleum and also contains plasticizers, synthetic resins and many other ingredients that promote the solidification process. The end result is an extremely durable and moisture resistant surface. It takes around 8-10 hours to dry and is available in many different gloss levels.
Water treated urethane
This is a type of urethane made from water and contains plasticizers, resins, and many other film-forming ingredients. They are non-yellowing, clear and available in various degrees of gloss. Their scent is not very strong and they generally dry in about 4-5 hours. They are generally expensive.
Penetrating sealants
These are solvent-based sealants that are applied to the floor and then absorbed. The remaining sealing compound is then removed with the help of rags or a polishing process with steel wool or synthetic pads. They come in a variety of colors and are also used to seal and stain hardwood floors.
paste wax
Another common finish for finishing hardwood floors is paste wax. This is the oldest type of grafting and many experts consider it the best. They are extremely easy to apply, extremely affordable and dry very quickly. In addition, with proper care, your floor can easily last for several decades. They are applied to the wooden floor in several layers after the sealer or stain has been applied. It is then polished to the desired degree of gloss.
If your hardwood floor is losing its luster, try one of the finishes above and your floors will be looking like new in no time with longer durability.
