Protect and Beautify: The Right Finish for Your Hardwood
Floors
If the only thing that's keeping you from getting hardwood floors for your home
is the upkeep you think it needs in order to keep it in top shape, then you
should lay your fears to rest. Today's hardwood floors come in finishes that
take the backbreaking work out of maintaining the shine and beauty of your
floors.
Choose The Finish of Your Hardwood Floors
Before you go choosing the hardwood floor finish you prefer for your floors,
you must first understand that there are two categories with which finished
hardwood floors fall under. The first is the factory pre-finished hardwood
floor. This means that the finishing has been done in the factory prior to you
purchasing it.
The other category hardwood floors fall under in terms of finishing is the
job-site finished hardwood floor. These floors are installed, stained, and
finished right on the job site. You start with an unfinished wood and later
decide how you want it finished. Both types have their own advantages and
disadvantages, and you should go over your choices with a trusted professional.
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Factory Pre-Finished Hardwood Floors
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Polyurethane - applied to protect your hardwood floor from wear; a clear,
tough, and durable finish
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UV-cured - the hardwood (already finished with polyurethane) is cured using
ultraviolet light
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Acrylic-urethane - a variation on polyurethane
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Acrylic impregnated - the use of acrylic monomers injected into the cell
structure of the wood give your floor increased hardness
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Aluminum oxide - this is added to the polyurethane finish to increase
hardwood flooring's abrasion resistance
Job-site Finished Hardwood Floors
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Moisture Cured Urethane - oil is a part of the chemical makeup of the
polyurethane but requires humidity in the air in order to cure the hardwood
floor
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Solvent-based Urethane - has oils and other solvents in its chemical
composition
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Water-based Urethane - instead of oils and other solvents, water is used as
part of the chemical makeup of the polyurethane