Usually water based jobs can be done in 2 days and you can walk on it that night.
Water based or oil based polyurethane for floors.
There s an ongoing debate over which is more durable long lasting.
Wood that is gray white or light looks better with a clear coat i e a water based finish.
An oil based polyurethane will continue to amber and darken over time while water based poly will remain clear for the lifetime of the hardwood floor.
This color difference is less noticeable over a stained hardwood floor but an oil based poly will still exhibit an amber hue that will continue to darken over time.
Polyurethane is actually the most durable hardwood floor finish.
Some still insist that durability is the main deciding factor between water based oil based polyurethane.
Water based polyurethane dries faster.
In my opinion this is the largest benefit of water based polyurethane.
Durability of water based vs oil based polyurethane.
You can use water based or oil based polyurethane to make your wooden surface glow.
Advantages of water based polyurethane.
The biggest difference is in appearance.
Oil based used to be unquestionably more durable.
If you want your floor to stay the same color choose water based polyurethane.
Woods with a hint of yellow in them already such as pine fir and ash become even yellower with an oil based finish.
Oil based can take 3 5 days pending on humidity and you need to wait at least 24 hrs before walking on them.
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