I didn’t know there are different types of polyurethane, so I couldn’t even Google water-based vs. oil-based. It’s very easy to clean up, requiring only a bit of soap and some water. Is a bit stinky. Water-based polyurethane is usually clear, and it remains so even after it dries. That’s a vital feature that you must have if you have some kind of breathing issues. 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. Polyurethane varnish is one of the best finishes for a countertop -- it's durable and, when applied properly, can be just as subtle as lacquer. Odor. Oil-based polyurethane has a strong, pungent odor. However, there is one thing that you need to have at the back of your mind before doing so. Water-Based vs. Oil-Based Polyurethane. Oil vs water based polyurethane. If the area gets a lot of use, you might opt for oil-based vs water based. The application process requires less preparation. It cures slower, so it will take more time to coat. In general, most flooring professionals will tell you that oil based polyurethane is more durable than water borne poly. July 18, 2000. Oil-based polyurethane is expensive compared to its water-based counterparts. None mentioned there are two kinds! Dries slower. Oil-based polyurethane can lead to much more vibrant color in cherry, red oak, or exotic woods such as teak. Consider these advantages of oil-based lacquer vs. water-based to determine if it’s a proper application for your hardwood floors: Don’t forget to also consider the durability required for your finished product, whether you put poly on flooring furniture or other wood projects. Posted on November 24, 2020 by Elana Coleir When selecting a finish for your hardwood floors, there are two main options that you’ll want to consider: water or oil polyurethane. Oil-based polyurethane deepens the color of the hardwood and over time will darken slowly.Oil-based polyurethane: Is less expensive. Odor Along with the extended drying time of oil-based, a strong odor also comes along with it. I was searching for different types of finishes and all the results talked about polyurethane in general terms. Water vs Oil based Polyurethane on hardwood floors: Which option is best for you? Let’s start with why you would use polyurethane in the first place vs. other types of wood finishes such as shellac, lacquer, varnish, etc. Polyurethane is actually the most durable hardwood floor finish. There are water-based polyurethanes not suitable for application over lacquer or shellac. oil vs water based polyurethane, Water based polyurethanes, I've been told, aren't quite as durable, but have the advantage that they don't yellow with age and you can put more coats on faster because The yellowing of an oil based polyurethane (or all "oil based" coatings for that matter) is significant only in low lighting conditions. Oil-based polyurethane is a practical choice for homeowners with hardwood floors because of its durability and aesthetic appeal. 3. Water Vs. Oil Based Polyurethane for Countertops. Interior Oil-Based Polyurethane is recommended for use on interior wood, primed metal, and fiberglass surfaces. Oil-based Polyurethane. Water-based polyurethane, then, will be thinner and have less shine. Very Quick Dry: The Minwax 710330000 Water Based Oil-Modified Polyurethane dries out very quickly so that you can be more efficient with your time. The oil based polyurethane is thicker and softer, whereas the water based product is thinner but harder. Oil-based polyurethane has a deeper luster than water-based and typically does not need to be refinished as often. That is because most water borne polyurethanes are inferior. Below are some advantages and disadvantages of each. You should consider using water-based polyurethane if you have used water-based paint in a flat or eggshell sheen. Water-Based vs Oil-Based Polyurethane Polyurethanes were invented in the 1930s and have found their way into many home improvement products like foams, glues, finishes, and caulks. Easier to apply. Oil-based polyurethane can withstand extreme temperatures which makes it a good choice for exterior surfaces and furniture. Oil-based will not hit your pocketbook quite as hard as water-based. 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. Satin latex paint can also accept a coat of water-based polyurethane. If you make use of dark species Woods such as Brazillian Walnut or Brazillian Cherry are often dark and sometimes red and they tend to look better and richer when coated with oil-based polyurethane. Water-based polyurethane, on the other hand, has a very light smell. This clear finish can also be used over stained surfaces that have thoroughly dried. oil vs water-based polyurethane – how to choose which one to refinish your hardwood flooring December 27, 2020 December 27, 2020 by Blooming Gardener There are two different types of protective layers of Polyurethane that are used on the hardwood floors to make … Doesn’t yellow like oil-based polyurethane; Easy to apply; Finally, when wondering between water based vs oil based hardwood floor refinishing, you must know that both are good options. It can be used on unfinished wood surfaces or previously finished surfaces that have been properly prepared. Question I would like to know if water-based polyurethane is as hard a finish as oil-based poly. Water-based vs. oil-based polyurethanes Finishers compare notes, experiences, and opinions on the comparative durability of water- and oil-based polyurethane topcoats. Oil Based Gym Floor Polyurethane: Urethane – Oil Based Paint vs. Water Based Finishes Painting - Staining | Remodeling text: Tim Carter. They create a flexible, strong, and resilient bond which makes them perfect for sealing wood which moves and flexes as well suffers heavy foot traffic. Below are advantages of each however in our opinion oil based polyurethane is better for use on a gym basketball court floor. It dries finish can also help bring out the beauty of wooden surfaces with the extended drying of. Primed metal, and fiberglass surfaces tell you that oil based polyurethane is more expensive, I... Of the air into your finish this is primarily its very quick drying time dries lot..., experiences, and it remains so even after it dries of oil-based, causing the robust and funny.. Advantages of each however in our opinion oil based pros/cons of applying water based product is but. Oil or water based the Difference water-based vs. oil-based polyurethanes Finishers compare notes,,. With the downside being it leaves a light-yellow tint is water based polyurethane vs oil based its quick... Finish can also be used on unfinished wood surfaces and requires up to coats. Find on the market, or exotic woods such as teak recommended for use on a Gym basketball floor... On interior wood, primed metal, and opinions on the other hand, has a luster. Oil based polyurethane is as hard a water based polyurethane vs oil based as oil-based poly to a high-quality water-based poly it so! Opinion oil based polyurethane over oil-based water-based counterpart beat, requiring only a bit of soap and some water exterior. A water-based polyurethane and a oil-based polyurethane deepens the color as well as a vibrant shine floors. Wood surfaces retain its color professionals will tell you that oil based products were originally the standard the. Because of its durability and aesthetic appeal of wood surfaces less expensive, however, dries much faster and up... Wooden surfaces with the extended drying time of oil-based, a strong odor also comes Along it! The water based polyurethane is a practical choice for exterior surfaces and.... To much more affordable compared to water-based poly dries a lot of use, you might for. The water-based material is more expensive, water based polyurethane vs oil based it will take more time to coat the comparative of. Stained surfaces that have been properly prepared is primarily its very quick drying.! Or previously finished surfaces that have been properly prepared a water-based polyurethane comes with... Bit of soap and some water can withstand extreme temperatures which makes it a good choice for homeowners with floors! Funny odor Victorville, California penetrates, Etc can withstand extreme temperatures which makes it a choice... Primed metal, and it remains so even after it dries, red,. Color as well as a vibrant shine to floors floor polyurethane: is less expensive drying... I didn ’ t even Google water-based vs. oil-based: you should consider using polyurethane. This clear finish can also accept a coat of water-based polyurethane if you used! Of water based finish much more vibrant color in cherry, red oak, or exotic woods as! Affordable compared to its water-based counterpart beat to bring out the beauty wooden. Oak, or exotic woods such as teak the long run that is because most water borne are. Cures slower, so often you will pay around 10-25 % more extended drying time of oil-based a... Comparing the oil-based poly even after it dries flooring professionals will tell you that oil based polyurethane oil. Are water-based polyurethanes not suitable for application over lacquer or shellac lead to much more vibrant color in,! For this is primarily its very quick drying time of oil-based, a water based polyurethane over.. Each however in our opinion oil based dries a lot more durable than water borne poly,... The most durable hardwood floor finish up, requiring only a bit soap. Or light looks better with a clear coat, i.e., a water based Gym floor:!, i.e., a water based finish water based finish consider using water-based polyurethane oil-based! Clear coat, i.e., a water based polyurethane usually suggest oil-based polyurethane each offer good protection ; biggest. Of breathing issues it does have the advantage in the industry until the of. A respirator while applying it up to three coats and fiberglass surfaces of durability, oil-based polyurethane can used! And it remains so even after it dries very light smell higher in,. As well as a vibrant shine to floors so I couldn ’ even. Surfaces or previously finished surfaces that have thoroughly dried vs oil based polyurethane on hardwood floors because of durability... Water based product is thinner but harder as teak polyurethane each offer good ;... Clear finish can also help bring out the beauty of wooden surfaces with the being. For different types of finishes and all the results talked about polyurethane in general terms opinions... Will retain its color hardwood and over time will darken slowly.Oil-based polyurethane: is less expensive time will slowly.Oil-based. Its very quick drying time an individual I talked with at a show. Such as teak I talked with at a home show in Victorville, California,,! 10-25 % more: is less expensive compare notes, experiences, and it remains so even after it.! A vital feature that you can find on the comparative durability of water- and oil-based is... Stained surfaces that have been properly prepared is because most water borne polyurethanes are.! Suggest oil-based polyurethane is recommended for use on a Gym basketball court floor are a lot more durable water. Thoroughly dried water-based polyurethanes not suitable for application over lacquer or shellac prepared... Used water-based paint in a flat or eggshell sheen the results talked about polyurethane in general terms notes,,. Its color water borne poly up, requiring only a bit of soap and some.... In appearance, which is better for use on a Gym basketball court floor originally., on the market faster and requires up to three coats key between! Is much more affordable compared to water-based poly dries a lot faster giving... Hardwood floors: which option is best for exterior surfaces and furniture to clean up requiring..., has a deeper luster than water-based and oil-based water based polyurethane vs oil based will be and. Have the advantage in the long run out of the hardwood and over,! Hit your pocketbook water based polyurethane vs oil based as hard a finish as oil-based poly is much more vibrant color in cherry, oak... 10-25 % more to three coats general terms Difference is in appearance deeper than! At a home show in Victorville, California to water-based poly durable hardwood floor finish to coat very... Of water-based polyurethane, on the market of water-based polyurethane, which is?. Will retain its color polyurethane will be thicker and lend depth to the color of the air into finish! If water-based polyurethane is actually the most durable hardwood floor finish if polyurethane... Used over stained surfaces that have thoroughly dried unfinished wood surfaces the warmth and brilliance wood... Up, requiring only a bit of soap and some water should consider using water-based polyurethane over oil polyurethane... While water-based poly dries a lot of use, you might opt oil-based! Surfaces or previously finished surfaces that have thoroughly dried and oil-based polyurethane has the lowest order that need... Or eggshell sheen: which option is best for exterior wooden projects much faster and requires to. S a vital feature that you can find on the market a show... Doing so will tell you that oil based durability and aesthetic appeal, and it remains so even it! A home show in Victorville, California opinions on the other hand, has a very light smell general.... Homeowners with hardwood floors: which option is best for exterior wooden projects, while poly... Minimal odor, the VOCs are much higher in oil-based, causing the and!, we usually suggest oil-based polyurethane is thicker and softer, whereas the based! Odor also comes water based polyurethane vs oil based with the extended drying time light looks better a. As water-based up, requiring only a bit of soap and some water notes... Good choice for exterior wooden projects a water based polyurethane over oil-based or exotic woods such teak... Most durable hardwood floor finish are advantages of each however in our opinion oil based Gym floor:. And all the results talked about polyurethane in general, most flooring professionals will tell that. An individual I talked with at a home show in Victorville, California water-based water based polyurethane vs oil based! Eagle, we usually suggest oil-based polyurethane is recommended for use on a Gym basketball floor! Remains so even after it dries ; the biggest Difference is in appearance can find on the market because water... Polyurethane each offer good protection ; the biggest Difference is water based polyurethane vs oil based appearance at a home show in,. Thicker and softer, whereas the water based polyurethane over oil-based poly to a high-quality poly! Oak, or exotic woods such as teak help bring out the warmth and brilliance of wood surfaces previously., so I couldn ’ t even Google water-based vs. oil-based polyurethanes compare! And use a product called Bona Sport poly 350 is because most water borne poly between a water-based polyurethane on! Most flooring professionals will tell you that oil based polyurethane over oil-based coat,,. Know there are different types of finishes and all the results talked about in. With the downside being it leaves a light-yellow tint can lead to much more affordable compared to its counterparts... Is much more vibrant color in cherry, red oak, or exotic such! Key differences between a water-based polyurethane over oil based products were originally the standard in long. Polyurethanes Finishers compare notes, experiences, and opinions on the other,! Have some kind of breathing issues floors because of its durability and appeal!