Hardwood floors come in a wide variety of species, each with its own distinct natural colour and grain pattern, but they all need a protective finish to bring out their full potential and preserve them from daily use and abuse. Various hardwood flooring finishes have their own merits and drawbacks. What do you think is the best hardwood refinishing service in Calgary for your home? What you choose will depend on whether or not you need your home design elements to be long-lasting, waterproof, and shiny. So that you can make an educated choice, we’ve compiled a list of the 5 most common hardwood flooring finishes, so let’s explore all of them.
Water-Resistant Polyurethane
This is one of the longest-lasting hardwood finishes, but it is also one of the trickiest to apply. If you don’t feel confident in your ability to refinish hardwood floors, it may be best to hire a professional. Moisture-cured surfaces are exceptionally durable and shiny; they were originally developed for bowling alley lanes. It’s durable and won’t easily be damaged by the elements or everyday use.
So, what’s the big deal here? It uses moisture absorbed from the air as a means of drying and curing. As a result, it is sensitive to humidity levels on the day of application and must be applied in air that is neither too dry nor too humid. Moreover, it produces copious quantities of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), some of which may remain in the air for weeks.
It may be worthwhile to go through all this trouble if you’re installing flooring in a public area like a restaurant or a dance floor. To have a professional apply a moisture-cured polyurethane coating to your flooring, you should expect to spend $2 to $4 per square foot.
Water-Based Polyurethane
There are plasticizers and synthetic resins in these items, much as in their oil-based equivalents. A water-based composition, on the other hand, makes for a more transparent surface that won’t become yellow with age. You may get a glossy, long-lasting, and easy-to-clean finish by using water-based polyurethane.
Low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and low odour provide a pleasant and eco-friendly application. These coatings only need three or four applications and each dries in about four hours. For 400–500 square feet of coverage, one gallon of water-based polyurethane costs $40–$60.
Keep in mind that scratches and dings will be more noticeable if you choose a high-gloss water-based solution, which is a more common choice. There are also less labour-intensive satin and semi-gloss finishes available.
Oil-Based Polyurethane
These finishes are produced using plasticizers, synthetic resins, and linseed oil, all of which contribute to their durability and low maintenance requirements. Because of their durability, resistance to moisture, and ease of application, they are ideal for heavily used areas that would otherwise need periodic refinishing. A broom, vacuum, and wet sponge are all that are needed to keep an oil-based finish at its best.
Two or three coats are recommended, with a 10-hour drying time between applications. After that, you may put your furniture back in place after two days, but you won’t be able to wear shoes on the floor for another four days. If you can hold out for that long, you’ll be rewarded with a surface that has a warm amber or yellowish colour. Pick from low-priced matte finishes to more costly high-gloss and satin sheens.
Approximately 500 to 600 square feet may be covered with one gallon of oil-based polyurethane, which costs $30 to $40. Professional installation will cost you between $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot.
Penetrative Sealers
Penetrating wood sealers come in two varieties. Wood may be sealed well using a stain made from a solvent. Natural oil sealers, such as those derived from linseed and pure tung oil, are far more frequent. These penetrating oil sealers harden your wood as they dry to protect it from scratches and wear and tear, and they leave behind a low-sheen finish that shows off the natural beauty of your wood grain. Many homeowners opt to apply a final layer of wax over their stain because, unlike other finishes, penetrating oils do not create a hard protective shell on the floor’s surface. A recoat every three to five years is recommended, even with this added protection.
The cost may quickly add up. The usage of specialized wood floor cleaners is also necessary when dealing with oil sealers to avoid water and chemical spot development. Despite the hassle, oil sealers are the best way to reveal the stunning details of the natural wood grain. If you’re renovating the flooring in a historic house, this charming natural look is just what you’re looking for.
You should expect to pay $60-$70 per gallon for penetrating oil sealants. You can paint around 500 square feet with a gallon.
Aluminum Oxide
Aluminum oxide is the strongest and longest-lasting form of hardwood flooring finish, providing the highest level of wear protection possible. Your floors will be safe from harm for up to 25 years thanks to its mineral coating’s inherent resistance to scratches, fading, water damage, scuffs, and more. You may buy it in a wide variety of sheens, allowing you to add or subtract lustre as desired.
Remember that you most likely won’t be the one applying the aluminum oxide. Because of how difficult it is to apply and maintain, it is only offered on prefinished wood plank items. A professional should be called in, or the flooring might possibly need to be replaced if damage occurs. While it may take a lot to do that kind of harm, the amount of upkeep necessary is surprisingly little. As high-gloss surfaces reflect more light, they may be more challenging to see for those with low or no vision, particularly in places with stairs or transitions between floors.
Final Thoughts
It is imperative to choose the appropriate finish whenever you are working with hardwood flooring, whether you are refinishing old floors or installing new planks. The appropriate coating will not only function in the manner which you like but will also produce an appearance that you will be pleased with for a significant amount of time in the future. To begin, you will want to identify the sorts of treatment that will provide you with the required level of durability and damage prevention. Then, when it comes to enhancing the look of your space, be sure to choose an alternative that will provide you with the ideal hue and shine.