How Different Finishes Affect Your Hardwood Floors?

by Kevin Smith Author

There will come a time when you'll need to hire someone to refinish hardwood floors in Kennesaw, GA. Hardwood can last for a long, long time with proper care, and one of the most important ways to care for your hardwood involves refinishing these surfaces when they look dingy or scratched.

But there isn't just one type of hardwood finish, and the differences go beyond just the different brand names. The type of refinishing product you use can affect how it looks, its durability, and its condition. So whether you're a proud owner of an exotic wood floor or have traditional oak in your home or office, here's what you need to know before you ask someone to refinish the hardwood. After all, they need to know which type of product you'll want them to use.

The 2 Distinct Types

Most refinishing products fall into 2 categories: water-based, and oil-based. Both types of finish are designed to protect wood from its most dangerous threats: moisture, foot traffic, and UV sunlight. Some hardwood specialists have a preferred type of product, whereas others will strongly recommend the opposite. Often, it comes down to simple opinion, so you should know the differences between the 2.

Water-Based Finish

Water-based hardwood finish is easy to apply, especially because it dries very quickly. However, only a professional should apply this type of finish because amateur work will show in ugly brush marks, lapping, and smears.

However, water finishes are recommeneded for exotic types of wood, and many professional refinishers prefer to work only with water-based compounds.They're also considered more environmentally responsible than oil-based finishes.

Oil-Based Finish

Polyurethane finishes that contain oil often have a richer, deeper color. For instance, they can add an amber-like effect to enrich the color of your hardwood, especially on darker woods. However, oil-based finishes aren't recommended for more exotic or pricey woods. Essentially, you should rely on the colorful effects of an oil-based compound only when the hardwood you've purchased, like pine, isn't already rich in color.

It's easier to apply oil-based polyurethanes, even though they take longer to dry. Some companies may prefer to work with oil, especially depending on the species of wood that makes up your floor.

So now that you know a bit about the types of hardwood finish, you should be ready to talk to flooring experts who can refinish your hardwood floors in Kennesaw, GA.