Differences Between Water-Based and Oil-Based Finishes

Water Base Vs Oil-Based Finish

Choosing between water-based and oil-based polyurethane is one of the most common questions homeowners ask when refinishing hardwood floors. Both finishes can protect your wood floors, but they look different, smell different, dry differently, and age differently over time.

New England Floor Sanding offers hardwood floor sanding, refinishing, staining, and floor coating services throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We can help you choose the right finish based on the look you want, the condition of your floors, and how your home will be used.

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If you’re in Massachusetts and New Hampshire and need hardwood floors refinished, call us 1-800-835-7263 for a free estimate.

Water Base Finish

Water-based polyurethane has very little odor compared to oil-based finish and is a good option for customers who want to stay in the home during the project.

It dries faster and allows for multiple coats in a shorter period of time.

We typically apply three coats for proper protection. In high traffic areas or homes with large pets, we may recommend an additional coat or upgrading to a stronger finish like Bona Traffic HD for added durability.

Water Base Finish
Water Base Finish
Water Base Finish
Water Base Finish
Water Base Finish
Water Base Finish
oil-based finish
oil-based finish
oil-based finish
oil-based finish

Oil-Based Finish

Oil-based polyurethane gives hardwood floors a warmer, richer, and slightly amber tone. It can make wood floors look deeper and more traditional, especially on older hardwood floors, red oak, pine, and floors where the customer wants a warmer color.

Oil-based finish has a much stronger smell and usually takes longer to dry than water-based finish. Customers should expect more odor during the job and may need more time before using the rooms normally again. Oil-based polyurethane can still be a good choice when the goal is a warm, classic hardwood floor look.

Durability and Maintenance

Both water-based and oil-based finishes provide excellent protection when applied properly. Water-based finishes tend to be slightly harder on the surface, while oil-based finishes penetrate deeper into the wood and create a durable protective layer.

Maintenance for both options is similar and includes regular cleaning and occasional recoating to keep the floors looking their best.

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Water base finish
Bona Mega One

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Bona Traffic HD

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Durability and Maintenance

Both water-based and oil-based finishes provide excellent protection when applied properly. Water-based finishes tend to be slightly harder on the surface, while oil-based finishes penetrate deeper into the wood and create a durable protective layer.

Maintenance for both options is similar and includes regular cleaning and occasional recoating to keep the floors looking their best.

SPEAK TO A SPECIALIST
Drying time

Drying Time:

Water-based polyurethanes dry quickly as compared to their oil-based counterparts.

In one day, you can apply up to 2 coats, whereas in the case of oil-based poly, you can apply only a single coat in one day. You have to let it dry for 24 hours before you walk on it wearing socks.

Water-based poly, on the other hand, allows you to walk over it in socks within four to six hours of the first coat application.

Color:

Water-based poly is colorless and clear, while oil-based one has a yellowish-brown or amber shade.

Over time, as long as the hardwood floor is intact, you will find no change in the clarity of water-based poly, but with time the amber color of oil-based polyurethane will keep getting darker.

In the case of a stained hardwood floor, you will notice less of any color difference.

Color
Smell

Staying in the Home

With oil-based finishes, we do not recommend staying in the home during the process due to the strong odor and longer drying time. Most customers choose to be out of the house until the floors are ready for normal use again.

Water-based finishes have little to no odor and dry extremely fast. In most cases, homeowners can remain in other parts of the house that are not being worked on, and the floors are ready for normal use much quicker.

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Finish:

Many people feel that oil-based polyurethane has a smoother finish than that of water-based poly.

However, many brands offer applications of both types of polyurethanes and claim that both offer a similar finish.

Often a fourth layer of water-based poly is applied to get an oil-like finish and won’t feel rough. Modifications can be done according to the client’s needs.

Finish

Number of Coats

Three coats of finish is standard for both water-based and oil-based systems and provides excellent protection for most homes. Some companies may apply fewer coats, but we use a full three-coat system for proper durability.

For homes with large pets or high traffic, we recommend upgrading to Bona Traffic HD for added protection. In heavier-use situations, an additional coat can be applied for even greater durability.

With oil-based finishes, a fourth coat can also be applied in high-traffic areas if extra protection is needed.

For more information on the finishes we use, see our service page on Bona Waterborne Finishes – Built for Beauty and Durability.

Which Finish is Better For You?

There is no one finish that is right for every house. The better choice depends on the look you want, the type of wood, the stain color, the amount of traffic in the home, and how sensitive you are to odor and drying time.

For a lighter, clearer, faster-drying finish with less smell, water-based polyurethane is usually the better choice. For a warmer, deeper, more traditional hardwood floor appearance, oil-based polyurethane may be the better option.

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Hardwood Floor Refinishing

Need help choosing between water-based and oil-based finish?

Call New England Floor Sanding today at 1-800-835-7263 for a free estimate.
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