One of the last steps of installing new hardwood floors is choosing the appropriate finish. A finish is the top coating of your floor and will protect the wood from everyday wear and tear. The finish layer is also what gives the wood floor its color and luster. Below, we have identified the different types of finishes and things to know about each one.
Surface finishes are the most common wood floor finishes because they are durable, water-resistant and require a small amount of maintenance. Surface finishes are commonly referred to as urethane or polyurethanes There is a variety of surface finishes to choose from and some of them are listed below. The finishes listed have differing application specs and come in a range of clear and amber colors.
Water-based finishes
Oil-based finishes
Acid-cured finishes
Moisture-cured finishes
Wax finishes, which are sometimes referred to as penetrating finishes, soak into the pores of the wood planks and once dry harden to form a protective outer layer. Wax finishes display a low luster and are an amber color. When applying the finish there will be a mild odor present that will subside once dried. The amount of time that the wax finish takes to dry will depend on the type of wax being used and the conditions of the job site. Wax finishes are very durable but one of the drawbacks is that they will show spots when water and other liquids are spilled on them.
Acrylic Impregnated finishes are not common in residential use and are not typically found in homes. Their use is more common in environments that endure a high volume of foot traffic, such as malls and restaurants. The finish is injected into the wood planks and creates an extremely hard and durable coating.
Give us a call if you live in the Atlanta Ga area and have some questions regarding finishes or need a new coating applied to your floors. If you are not in the Atlanta area, please feel free to get in contact with us for help as well, but our abilities will be limited to phone or email assistance due to our location.