Have done lots of Hardwood floors, and have always used Polyurathne. Expect my own new floors to get tons of abuse. Five kids ages 1-1/2 to 15 and big new puppy (Choc Lab).
Two questions:
1) Is there an altenative to poly, like a wipe on oil finish ? I’d like to finish the floors of my own house in parts and without kicking the whole bunch out of the house for a week. I know there would be a sacrifice on the hardness, but it may make it easiler to refinish down the road.
2) What’s the poly of choice ?
Thanks
Rand
Replies
Waterlox is easy to refinish and to overlap if you do a floor in sections. http://www.waterlox.com
Check out BonaTech Traffic. It's not cheap (can run $90/gal) but has been highly recommended:
http://www.bonakemi.com/productspecs/index.htm
Check out http://www.livos.com. Livos sells an extensive line of non toxic finishes, including Meldos and Kunos, which are penetrating oils suitible for floors, depending on the species of wood. The oils are citrus based so there are very few VOCs. I used Meldos a few years ago on a fir block floor that has stood up surprising well to very hard use. I plan to use Kunos on my maple floor when I get around to refinishing it...I've been saying that for a few years now...
I had a floor finisher who used to get a water based product for my houses called Street Shoe, he claimed it was a commercial finish used in department stores. I'm sorry but I don't know the manufacturer. It was expensive but I used to sell it as an upgrade to my customers. The best part was, depending on the weather, I could cut days off the schedule which saved me many times when I had to meet a closing date.
Randall,
Consider using a good oil poly like Bonas Woodline. Simply perform a 'pad and coat' or what we call a 'maintenance coat' when the floor begins to show wear...every 3 years or so.