How Do You Know if It Is an Oil Based or Water Based Polyurethane Peeling
Which type of polyurethane is improve for refinishing hardwood floors – oil-based or water-based polyurethane?
We offer both options, but I usually recommend oil based 
polyurethane over water based for dark floors because:
ane. Information technology looks better
ii. Information technology lasts longer
three. It costs less.
And so, it seems like a no brainer, right? Well, usually it is a simple decision, but there certainly are some exceptions based on the color chosen, species of wood, and different customers have dissimilar needs.
So, let's explore this a scrap farther.
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Advantages of oil-based polyurethane.
1. Oil based polyurethane looks better. It has a more depth – both in colour and smooth and it looks the way we expect hardwood to look. Water based polyurethane has both a duller colour and a duller terminate.
As you can see from this movie, the difference is pretty dramatic. The water based polyurethane (left) is lighter and duller than the oil based poly on the right.
The other event, when it comes to appearance, is that over fourth dimension the polyurethane amberizes and darkens a scrap…usually giving it a richer look while the h2o based poly just continues to get duller over time.
Please note that some people accept commented that above picture is misleading considering the samples shown are not on the same woods (the one on left looks similar maple and the one on right looks like oak so information technology exaggerates the difference in water vs oil based poly.) This motion picture (on the right) is from one of my customer's houses where the previous owners used oil based poly on correct and water borne poly on the left. This is non the all-time picture (esp due to the wink), and it's time for them to refinish the floors, but it demonstrates the indicate.
Here are some more pictures – both from the same house. The are both white oak. The i on the left is white oak 5″ using water based poly (Bona Traffic). The one on the right is ii 1/iv″ white oak strip using oil based poly. Annotation: on cerise oak (which is lighter than white oak), the water borne poly looks even paler.
H2o borne poly (Bona Traffic) on white oak Oil based poly on white oak
Besides, you lot tin click on these two pinterest pictures to run across the impact of water vs oil polyurethane on oak and yellowish pino.
2. Oil based polyurethane lasts longer than water based. There is no contest on the immovability between the 2 options. Water based polyurethane has lower VOC'due south – which is a fleck of an environmental benefit (more abo
ut that in a moment) – but considering information technology has lower VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds), it doesn't last as long. H2o based poly is thinner, and y'all often need four-5 coats to equal the durability of 3 coats of oil based.
While I do not accept detailed belittling studies, most customers who call me to refinish their floors and previously had h2o based poly, call me after 5-half-dozen yrs vs. virtually customers that call me to refinish their oil based polyurethane call me at around the 10 year marking. And, at those points in fourth dimension, the water based poly looks way worse than the oil based – in fact, information technology's usually peeling off and the hardwood is starting to look gray.
What' s also interesting is that almost all of my customers who have had water based polyurethane tell me they would NEVER practise it once more. They felt misled by their previous flooring contractor. While sanding and refinishing is not terribly expensive, information technology can be rather inconvenient if you lot alive in the dwelling. Y'all need to motion all the piece of furniture out and often get away for a week. And so, if you're going to become though the hassle of refinishing your floors, I recommend doing it correct so it last longer.
three. Oil based polyurethane cost less than water based. The water-based material is more expensive, and so often you volition pay around 10-25% more than. But, on pinnacle of the initial cost, you likewise demand to consider that you will need to redo the whole chore sooner…you will probably redo them almost twice equally often.
Now, at that place are several benefits to water based polyurethane and in some circumstances, water based poly is a much better option.
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Advantages of water based polyurethane:
1. Water based polyurethane dries faster. In my stance, this is the largest benefit of water based polyurethane. Usually, water based jobs tin can be done in 2 days and you tin can walk on information technology that night; oil based can have 3-5 days (pending on humidity) and you need to expect at least 24 hrs earlier walking on them.
This option can really brand sense for commercial businesses such every bit restaurants or stores as longer drying time ways the store is closed, and at that place is a true business cost to that. But, for regular homeowners, usually, it's worth waiting the actress 2-3 days in lodge to have the job last longer.
I have many customers who are in a rush to movement into their new home, only I ever recommend that it'south worth delaying move in by a few days and get their floors done right. If they don't, they will spend more time and money paying for this after. For customers already living in their abode, I recommend that they do this while they will exist away for a while. I would rather look 6 months for their next trip and have them pay less and do it right with oil based. Why exercise I feel this way? Considering they will be happier and salve coin. I rely on happy customers who recommend me to their friends and come dorsum to me years later for the other flooring in their dwelling house.
2. Water based polyurethane doesn't smell as bad. Because of this, many co-ops are now requiring their homeowners to use water based poly. I think this is a bit of a shame, merely I understand it due to all the neighbors. For a regular house, it will non brand much of a divergence to your neighbors, and I will also point out that both water based and oil based poly odour, and I still recommend that customers go away or stay somewhere else while this work is beingness done.
three. Water based polyurethane is a bit better for the environment…but information technology does depends on how yous look at it. Since water based polyurethane has lower VOC'southward (Volatile Organic Compounds), it is a bit meliorate for the environment. Equally mentioned above, the VOC's are lower non not-existent. And, importantly, this environmental benefit but has an impact during the DRYING time. In one case the poly is dry out, there is no departure in odor, off-gassing, etc. And, yep, I did validate this with the manufacturer – and they offer both water and oil based (and they brand more coin on the h2o based so they have no reason to mislead hither).
Now, the skeptical New Yorker in me always sees both sides of the equation. So, I will point out that while water based is a bit better for the environment, remember that it doesn't last every bit long and the floors will need to be redone in a few years, thereby eliminating that benefit. Furthermore, this will lead to an earlier demise of the woods, which in plow will upshot in more cut trees…so everything has a flip side.
Because h2o based polyurethanes only incorporate xxx-35% solids (vs. oil based comprise 45-50%) solids, you will need to add more coats of water based poly. Water based poly tends to price more oil based poly. And, when you add in an extra 1-2 coats, your price will increase further. Amongst h2o based polyurethanes, most experts agree that Bona is the best brand, and specifically Bona Traffic line. This product definitely costs extra, but if you are going to apply a waterborne polyurethane, Bona is the way to become.
4. For Natural maple hardwood, water based poly tends to look better, particularly over time. Maple is lighter than oak, and with oil based poly, information technology really does tend to yellow a lot over fourth dimension. By and large, maple (without a stain) looks amend with water borne poly. The majority of homes in Westchester are made with oak hardwood, and that is followed by older pine floors. I would guess that this applies to around 5% or less of the floors in our county.
4a. For white washed and gray stained floors, h2o based poly is a must. Oil based poly will turn these floors yellow and look tacky and they volition continue to amberize (i.e. yellow over fourth dimension). Bona Traffic 
Wait!
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Video – Oil vs water poly and advantages of oil based polyurethane
This is a 2 office video blog. Part 1 discusses the advantage of oil based polyurethane and Part 2 discusses the advantages on water borne poly.
Video – Oil vs water poly and advantages of water borne polyurethane
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Other useful flooring manufactures:
- How long does it take to sand and refinish hardwood floors?
- Tin can you change the color of your hardwood floors?
- Stain color trends on hardwood flooring
- What types of hardwood are best for dogs (and pets)?
- What are the best brands of polyurethane? Which do I recommend?
- FAQ'south for hardwood floor refinishing
- Recommended cleaning products and accessories to maintain floors and reduce scratches.
What brands of poly practice we use?
While I practise not recommend attempting to Sand and Refinish your hardwood floors yourself (as I accept seen countless disasters), I practise feel comfortable in recommending polyurethane so that you (or hopefully) your installer uses top quality products. This will help with the outcome and longevity of your floors. Merely, remember, if you don't have a corking installer and meridian notch equipment, the job will never come out well.
Water borne polyurethane –
When it comes to water borne poly, there is no dispute, Bona Traffic Hd is the best in the marketplace place. It looks neat, dries chop-chop, and doesn't amberize. It's perfect if you're staining your floors gray, or white, or just going for a natural super clean await. It costs more than Bona Mega, but information technology's worth it equally it looks better, lasts longer and amberizes less.
Bona Traffic is the only product we use with gray or white done floors.
Oil based polyurethane –
When information technology comes to oil based poly, we typically utilize Duraseal. Information technology comes in different finishes, simply near of our customers prefer the satin finish.
Complementary products that will prolong the life of your hardwood floors
- Bona hardwood floor cleaner
- Felt pads to protect floors
- Office chair mat
- Doggie Socks
For more info, cheque out my Ebook – Discover the 6 Secrets to Refinishing Hardwood floors.
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Cheers so much for choosing my free ebook - The top 10 Flooring Mistakes and how to avoid them. You'll a link to access this for free in your email.
Oil based vs. water based polyurethane : Which is better for refinishing your hardwood floors?
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