Did you know that more than half of the homes in the United States of America have hardwood flooring? Hardwood flooring is a popular option because it provides a durable flooring surface with an elegant appearance. There are tons of great hardwood floor finishes to choose from giving you room for customization. But how do you choose the best hardwood floor finish for your home? It is important that you know your options before you select a matte finish hardwood flooring or a satin finish hardwood flooring for your home. The good news is that you’ve come to the perfect place to learn about how to finish hardwood floors and which ones are the best.
Continue reading to learn more about hardwood floor finishes for your home’s flooring needs.
Water-Based Polyurethane
If you’re someone that prefers a clean and clear finish to their hardwood floors then you’ll love a water-based polyurethane hardwood flooring finish. It is easy to apply to your hardwood floors and produces very few odors when installed. It provides a smooth and shiny finish and doesn’t have any yellowing even after a long period of time.
While most water-based polyurethane hardwood floor finishes are clear and shiny, there are other finishes that you can choose from. There are some that have a satin finish while others have a semi-gloss appearance. It all comes down to what you like best for your home’s appearance.
The only negative to this type of hardwood flooring finish is that scratches and scrapes stand out when they happen. It is important that you know how to clean engineered hardwood floors if you want a water-based polyurethane finish.
Oil-Based Polyurethane
Another popular option with homeowners looking for the best hardwood floor finish is an oil-based polyurethane floor finish. This is a great option if you have kids and pets. It is designed for hardwood floors that see a high volume of foot traffic and is designed to stand up to it.
It is a great option if you’re trying to find the best hardwood flooring finish while staying on a budget. It is one of the least expensive options while providing some of the best durability on the market. It is also great for standing up to moisture so if you have kids that tend to spill things your floors will be just fine.
Best of all, floors with an oil-based polyurethane finish are easy to maintain compared to the types of finishes. The only drawbacks to this type of finish are that it takes a while to dry and it produces a lot of harmful chemicals after it is applied. It is also flammable and will begin to yellow over a long period of time.
Wax
Wax is a classic option when it comes to the best hardwood floor finish on the market. It is the best option for areas of your hardwood flooring where you want little to no sheen. One of the reasons for its popularity is that it is easy to learn how to apply it to your hardwood floors. The maintenance is also easy any time that your flooring needs a touchup.
Using wax for your hardwood flooring finish produces only small amounts of odor and VOCs in your house. It is also great because you can combine it with a stain for your hardwood floors to create that perfect look for your interior design. Best of all, it is convenient. A wax hardwood floor finish takes only hours to dry before you and your household can start walking on it.
The primary drawback to using wax is that it involves more labor than other types of flooring finishes. It also isn’t the most durable option as it is susceptible to scratches and scrapes from the furniture. Over time, the wax will start to become discolored so you’ll need to be ready to replace it or touch it up on a consistent basis to keep it looking nice.
Shellac
Shellac is a great option for your home’s hardwood flooring finish because it is a natural finish. It doesn’t contain or release a lot of VOCs and it dries quickly so you can resume walking around your home. It is a natural option that doesn’t harm the environment and is easy to repair or touch up when it gets damaged.
It is also great to use if your home’s flooring is a tropical wood that is naturally oily. The big downside to using Shellac is that it is quite flammable and difficult to apply to your flooring evenly. It is also one of the least durable options listed in this article.
Aluminum Oxide
Aluminum oxide is another popular option amongst homeowners with hardwood flooring. This type of finish is perfect for homes that see a high volume of foot traffic. It provides top-notch protection and durability for your home’s hardwood floors anywhere that it gets applied.
It is the most durable finish on the market today and requires very little maintenance once you’ve installed it in your home. There are also a variety of gloss levels to choose from with aluminum oxide finishes which gives you a lot of room for creativity.
The big negative that comes with choosing aluminum oxide hardwood floor finishes is that they’re difficult to touch up or refinish after they sustain damage and it is only available on pre-finished wood planks. This means that it is one of the least convenient options listed in this article for finishing your home’s hardwood flooring.
Get the Best Hardwood Floor Finish for Your Home Today
Choosing the best hardwood floor finish for your home’s beautiful hardwood floors is a big decision. It is important that you know your options and the benefits that each hardwood floor finish brings to the table. Some are better for standing up to foot traffic as well as kids and pets. Others require more maintenance but emit less harmful odors and chemicals.
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