Oil Vs Water Based Polyurethane For Water Proofing Wood Floor

Polyurethane gives hardwood its protection.

Oil vs water based polyurethane for water proofing wood floor. But on top of the initial cost you also need to consider that you will need to redo the whole job sooner you will probably redo them almost twice as often. Some still insist that durability is the main deciding factor between water based oil based polyurethane. Wood that is gray white or light looks better with a clear coat i e a water based finish. Water based however dries much faster and requires up to three coats.

Odor along with the extended drying time of oil based a strong odor also comes along with it. Polyurethane is actually the most durable hardwood floor finish. Since refinishing wood floors involves multiple coats of polyurethane this means that the total time of your refinishing job is longer with the oil based. Finally water based poly dries a lot faster giving dust less time to settle out of the air into your finish.

Water based poly tends to cost more than. Oil based polyurethane cost less than water based. The biggest difference is in appearance. With oil based you typically have to wait until the next day to add another coat of polyurethane but water based polyurethane can be recoated in as soon as 2 3 hours.

Water based polyurethane has all the benefits of the oil based ones but it dries a lot faster and the odor is not as distinct. Two coats can be completed within a day. Water based and oil based polyurethane each offer good protection. It repels water and prevents water absorption but it never fully blocks it so it will never make it 100 waterproof.

Here are our expert. Polyurethane also protects wood for scratches and discoloration. Oil based polyurethane only requires around two to three coats since it contains 45 to 50 percent of the solids that create the protective finish. The water based material is more expensive so often you will pay around 10 25 more.

Whereas water based polyurethane has a very minimal odor the vocs are much higher in oil based causing the robust and funny odor. Woods with a hint of yellow in them already such as pine fir and ash become even yellower with an oil based finish. Oil based contain 45 50 solids you will need to add more coats of water based poly. Water based polyurethane will give off little if any odor compared to oil based poly a real issue if your finish room happens to be in your basement.

Oil based used to be unquestionably more durable. Durability of water based vs oil based polyurethane. No polyurethane does not make hardwood waterproof but it does make wood water resistant.