True Oil Finish vs. Polyurethane - Explained by the Experts
Experience Leads to Different Conclusions Depending on Your Finish Goals
Universal Hardwood Floors in DC, says, "We put on four coats of 'tungoil' and buff it in." By 'tungoil' they mean Waterlox, "a varnish with tungoil in it," says Howard Brickman, Brickman Consulting. Bill Price, Floormasters.com , says, "I like the true oil finishes. Polyurethane looks the best it will ever look the day it's applied! An oil finish looks better every year if you are willing to touch it up and buff it as needed."
What About Maintaining Your Floor's Finish?
When we asked about 'penetrating hardening oils' such as WOCA (Wood Oil Company of America, out of Denmark), Sprigg Lynn from Universal says, "Each has their selling points. Waterlox is a satin sheen that can be made to shine some more with thin coats and extra buffing. If the traffic isn't real heavy it's easy to touch up. WOCA has a more flat sheen level. You can increase the sheen of WOCA by polishing with their 'soap cleanre' or their 'maintenance paste'. Both are filling the grain and putting some finish in the wood, not on top. These are 'low-', not 'no-maintenance', finishes."
Bill adds, "Waterlox has drying agents that make it harder to buff. If you put it on too heavy it stays soft and you can still smell Waterlox a year later. WOCA has hardening agents instead and is easier to buff. The WOCA wood floor soap is great for cleaning and it removes any water spots off the kitchen areas."
The Finish of the Future
Lynn summed it up by saying, "WOCA is the 'finish of the future' with its low or no VOCs. It gives a very natural, flat and beautiful looking floor." Howard Brickman, Brickman Consulting, says, "WOCA wears the best of the oil finishes we've used, but you still have to maintain it. Commercial applications are best off with WOCA and some regular maintenance. Residential jobs often work out better wtih Waterlox because it takes less maintenance. Tip: the WOCA cleaner works great on Waterlox. And with any penetrating oil be very careful of spontaneous combustion."
What If You Want Polyurethane?
What about folks who want polyurethane to avoid doing anything besides cleaning until it's time to call the profesisonals to 'screen' and recoat? Water-based polyurethanes give a clear finish, have low odor and you can recoat them in a couple of hours. Oil-based polyurethanes leave an amber glow, but you have a much longer wait time between coats. We've had success achieving a fairly natural look with some newer water-based polyurethane sealer/finish systems. Call ours or ask your wood floor expert for details.
What Matters Most...
Wood floor finishes are complex chemicals that require someone who applies them regularly to get a good result. Each brand has different application rates, drying times and conditions and different maintenance. This information may help explain the basics and provide some references. What matters most, in general, is your wood floor professional's experience with the finish you choose. Best wishes for a great looking and long lasting wood floor!
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