5 hardwood floor finishes and what they’re best for

Do you need to refinish your hardwood floors? If so, here’s a brief guide to five common types that are available.

1. Water-based polyurethane is ideal for floors in need of a quick-drying, clear finish. This is a product that’s low in VOCs and ages without yellowing. However, it does little to hide scratches.

2. Oil-based polyurethane is best for floors in high-traffic areas. It’s highly durable and easy to maintain. On the downside, it’s slow to dry, high in VOCs, and yellows over time.

3. Moisture cure urethane is well suited to floors that require a very tough finish. It resists moisture, scratches, stains, and general wear. However, it has high levels of VOCs, and applying it requires you to vacate your home.

4. Wax is great anywhere you want a low-sheen finish. Unfortunately, it’s not very durable and tends to darken over time. It can scuff and scratch easily and doesn’t mix well with water.

5. Penetrating oil sealer is ideal for subtly highlighting the natural grain of the wood, especially in a historic home. This product needs to be reapplied every few years and requires a wax topcoat.

You’ll find these products at your local hardware store. For top-notch results, consider hiring a professional to strip and sand your wood floors and then expertly apply the finish.