Finishes for Wood Floors in Your Home
Lelland L. Gallup
Department of Environmental Design
Wood floors can add warmth, color and texture to your home. A good finish brings out the beauty of the wood, protects it and makes the floor easier to keep clean. The best finish to use on a particular floor depends on the kind and condition of the wood or previous finish, the amount of traffic in the room and your personal choice.
Wood finishes are of three general classes:
- Penetrating
- Transparent film
- Opaque.
Before choosing your
floor finish, check your local dealer for his recommendations concerning the
type best suited to your individual needs. Once you select the finish, follow
the manufacturer's exact directions for application, undercoat and thinner.
Most people would like an attractive floor finish that is durable, water- and stain-resistant, non-slippery, easy to keep and one that will patch-blend without showing. A finish that is quick-drying and changes color very little with age is also usually preferred.
The cost of floor finishing materials are often only about one-fourth the cost of the labor for applying it. Therefore, it is good economy to buy good materials. The long range cost of more expensive finishes which are more durable may be less than cheaper but also less durable. Different qualities and prices are available for each type of finish.
A polyurethane finish is generally the most expensive, followed by a floor seal and standard varnish and lacquer with shellac, paint and enamel being the least expensive.
The advantages and limitations of the three basic types of floor finishes are described below.
Penetrating finishes
Floor sealer
light body, hard drying, oil type
Advantages
- Highly durable under traffic.
- Penetrates the wood and forms a tough, wear-resistant surface.
- Chip- and scratch-resistant.
- Resists ordinary stains and water spotting.
- Less slippery than surface finishes even when waxed.
- Has a satiny gloss -- wax increases gloss and protection.
- Paste filler optional for most brands.
- Ease of application.
- Dries quickly.
- Clear finish or stained effect.
- May be patched without visible trace.
- Can be maintained indefinitely without removing previous coats of seal.
- Use either as a complete finish or as an undercoat for a surface finish.
Limitations
- Can be applied only on well-sanded, bare wood or on previous sealer finish.
- Does not cover blemishes from poor sanding.
- Should be kept waxed.
Floor sealer
heavy body, resin content type
Advantages
- Durable.
- Penetrates the wood partially but leaves some coating on the floor.
- Suitable where a high gloss is desired without waxing. Buffing with steel wool produces a low gloss.
- Resists ordinary stains and water spotting.
- Chip- and scratch-resistant.
- Paste filler optional for most brands.
- Easy to apply.
- Dries fairly quickly.
- Clear finish or stained effect.
- Patching of worn areas not noticeable.
- Can be maintained indefinitely without removing old seal.
- Can also be used on concrete or terrazzo.
Limitations
- Has a surface film which will scratch under heavy traffic. Steel wool buffing will remove scratches.
- Can be used only on well-sanded, bare wood or previous sealer finish.
Transparent surface finishes
Polyurethane finishes
Advantages
- A very tough, durable plastic surface coating.
- Light color; darkens less with age than some other finishes.
- More slip-resistant than some other surface finishes.
- Resistant to water, stains and burns.
- Usually requires no filler.
- Patching of worn areas not noticeable.
- Quick drying.
- Can also be used on concrete or terrazzo.
Limitations
- Although tough and durable, its surface will eventually scratch under heavy traffic.
- Can be applied only on bare wood or on a previous polyurethane finish.
- Absolute cleanliness of floor, brush and room necessary for a smooth finish. Apply exactly as directed.
- Repeated coats form a build-up which must be removed for satisfactory refinishing. Poor adhesion results from overcoating.
- Apply only in a room with good cross ventilation. Do not inhale fumes.
- Some brands require a special reducer for thinning and to clean brushes.
- Do not leave exposed to the air for more than a very short period. Moisture in the air acts as a drying agent.
Lacquer sealer
Advantages
- Tough, durable plastic surface coating.
- Light color, darkens less with age than other finishes.
- More slip-resistant than some other surface finishes.
- Resistant to water and stains.
- Color may be added if desired.
- Usually requires no filler.
- Can be blend-patched.
- Quick drying.
- Easy to apply.
Limitations
- Although tough and durable, its surface film will scratch under heavy traffic.
- High gloss -- satin effect can be obtained by buffing with steel wool and paste wax.
- Absolute cleanliness of floor, brush and room necessary for smooth finish.
- Repeated coats form a build-up that must be removed for satisfactory refinishing. Poor adhesions result from overcoating.
- Requires a special reducer for thinning and to clean brushes -- a special undercoat is recommended.
Conventional floor varnish
Advantages
- Good qualities of varnish give a durable protection of coating if properly waxed and maintained.
- A lasting finish if revarnished before it wears through.
- Tougher and more resistant to water and scratches than shellac.
- Fairly resistant to stains and spots.
- Available in several degrees of glass.
Limitations
- Surface-scratched by heavy traffic. Waxing reduced scratch damage.
- Difficult to patch worn areas without detection.
- Very slippery, especially when waxed.
- Drying time varies by brands -- some are slow drying.
- Three coats usually recommended.
- Darkens with age.
- Absolute cleanliness of floor, brush and room necessary for a smooth finish.
- Repeated coats form a build-up that must be removed for satisfactory refinishing.
- Use only varnish made specifically for floors. Other varnishes are too soft to resist traffic.
Shellac
Advantages
- Dries very rapidly.
- Little color changes with age.
Limitations
- Water will turn it white.
- Scratches and wears off easily.
- May be brittle after several coats.
- Waxing required for a lasting finish.
- Always high gloss.
- Very slippery, especially when waxed.
- Deteriorates rapidly in the container.
- Difficult to patch worn areas without detection.
- Repeated coats form a build-up that must be removed for satisfactory refinishing.
- Not alcohol-resistant.
- Absolute cleanliness of floor, brush and room necessary for a smooth finish.
Lacquer
Advantages
- About the same durability and resistance to stains as varnish.
- Dries very rapidly.
- Worn spots may be retouched with good results.
- Darkens very little with age.
Limitations
- Difficult to apply because it dries so fast. Not recommended for use by the amateur.
- Only high gloss available.
- Absolute cleanliness of floor, brush and room necessary for a smooth finish.
- Apply only on properly prepared, bare wood or previous lacquer finish.
Opaque finishes
Floor paint or enamel
Advantages
- A variety of colors available.
- Easy to apply.
- Coats surface of wood and covers discoloration and blemishes in the floor.
Limitations
- Wears off and scratches quickly and is difficult to patch without detection.
- Repeated coats form a build-up that must be removed for satisfactory finish.
- Chips and peels after several coats.
- Slippery when waxed.
- Use only types made especially for floors.
GH5305, reviewed October 1993
