Figuring
Out Hardwood Floor Finishes
Finishes
protect and enhance the beauty of your hardwood floors. They can
be applied before delivery (pre-finished) or upon installation
in your home (site-finished).
With pre-finished flooring, the manufacturer applies a finish
at the factory -- typically at least four coats of ultraviolet-cured
urethane resin. Manufacturers say these finishes are more consistent
and durable because they are applied under strict controls. Factory-finished
floors can be installed straight out of the box, which can make
the job easier when you are replacing floors in a house you live
in. Manufacturers offer a wide variety of stain colors and finishes.
Several finish options are available in prefinished products,
including water- and oil-based urethane and wax.
If you are building a new home or trying to match a new floor
with an old one, you might prefer to finish your floor on site.
You'll have more color choices, but you'll also have to live with
the sanding process and wait for each coat to dry.
The principal choices are surface or penetrating finishes.
PENETRATING FINISHES are absorbed into the wood fibers.
These oils, most often with wax applied on the surface, have a
matte or satin appearance. If you can feel the wood grain when
you run your hand across the surface, it is most likely a penetrating
finish.
With their unique physical properties, maple and cherry do not
absorb stains as evenly as other U.S. hardwood species. If you
prefer a penetrating finish for your maple or cherry floor, use
the natural, non-coloring type.
Oils
and waxes penetrate the
surface of the floor protecting
the wood from within.
SURFACE FINISHES shield floors by forming a protective
layer that looks like clear plastic on top of the wood. Predominantly
polyurethane, surface finishes are found on all pre-finished floors
and are today's most popular choice.
Surface
finishes shield floors
from harm by forming a protective
layer on top of the wood.
OIL-BASED URETHANE is the most common floor finish. It
ambers with age and comes in gloss, satin and semi-gloss sheens.
Two to three coats are typically called for. Each coat takes about
eight hours to dry. A solvent like paint thinner must be used
for clean up. This type of finish emits fumes as it dries so windows
and doors should be left open to provide good ventilation. If
it's too cold outside for that, a water-based finish is best.
WATER-BASED URETHANE has fewer odors, dries in two to three
hours and is crystal clear. Brushes can be cleaned with soap and
water. Some manufacturers sell "cross-linkers," additives that
can be mixed into water-based finishes to make them tougher.
MOISTURE-CURED URETHANE is a solvent-base polyurethane
that is more durable and more moisture resistant than other surface
finishes. It is mostly used in commercial, high-traffic settings
like stores or offices. It can be clear or amber with age and
is available in satin or gloss. This type of finish has a strong
odor. Its application is best left to the professional.
