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Loving our Waterlox kitchen floor.

13 years ago

Just put the fourth coat of Waterlox (the satin one) on our new quartersawn white oak kitchen floor. We are simply enchanted with the depth and beauty of it. It actually looks like amber, or maple syrup. It's really amazing. We almost stained it first, but decided against it, and we're really happy about that. It just wasn't necessary, and would probably have come out too dark for our kitchen.

This was our first experience with this product, and now we're considering doing our maple cabinets with it also. Not sure how the color would come out, or if it would be too dark in the long run. Our kitchen does not get a lot of light. I think we'll do an experimental board to figure it out.

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Comments (7)

clg7067
13 years ago
I am so jealous!! Do you have any pictures you can post?
bellacucina
13 years ago
Hello, yes please post some pics or a link to pics - - I'm thinking of the same flooring and could use some help deciding, as they are going to start next month! (aaagh!)
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Your concerns over damage to the wood by water or pebbles in shoes or high heels are all valid. Bad news is there is not a product invented yet to eliminate those concerns. High heels or any shoes for that matter should never be worn on the floors. And the finish will delay the damaging effects water causes. But wont prevent it. Polyurethanes gives you the best in protection and looks.
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We have Waterlox, and love the rich glow vs. hard shine or no shine. Looks like a softly waxed floor. However, in the two years they've been down their deep brown has faded badly by the windows and doors where the sun hits them. I know all wood will react to direct sun this way but, by comparison, I have furniture that gets the same sun without the fading. I'm not sure if they needed more coats or if it's the nature of them. I am not happy that we must now sand them well, I suppose, and re-coat them...after only two years. I have now installed shades:>/ Also, the area beneath the kitchen sink((where I stand)has been badly worn down to the wood. I keep a rug there now. Hope someone more knowledgeable chimes in on this. We did not do the finish ourselves.
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Waterlox is not a penetrating oil, It is a wiping varnish. The reason they say it must be applied to bare wood is to sell more product. I've used linseed oil or dewaxed shellac as a seal coat before Waterlox, and I've used Waterlox as the seal coat (as per the mfg. directions) If you put Waterlox on bare wood, it soaks up about 4 times more product than the next coats (and takes forever to dry.) At that rate I could not afford to use it on my whole house, either! But if you use it only as topcoats, the product really goes pretty far. Waterlox will not adhere properly to lacquer, wax, or water-based undercoats. For your refinishing project, I think you are on the right track. Sand the existing finish to promote adhesion, brush on one good coating of the Zinsser seal coat shellac straight out of the can. let it dry a day before sanding it and giving it a coat of Waterlox. One final coat of Waterlox the following day is all you need. Perform a test on one area before you do the whole stairs. Let the stairs dry 2-3 days with fans running to speed cure time. Do not walk on the stairs until they are cured properly.
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I put 3 coats of on our powder room floor, which was antique barn oak. That was 4 years ago. It looks beautiful, as others have said, like a natural wood floor with a low sheen (they have various finishes and tints). It held up like iron, even to a recent flood. This is the main bath on the first floor and heavily used. Apart from that room our floors downstairs are oiled and waxed. But when that began to wear, I touched up the threshholds with WL. Also used it on the exterior threshold of the front door. If we redo downstairs it will be with WL. It's stinky, requires 24 hour fans and open windows the first few days -- best to read directions carefully on the website so you know the drill -- and the first coat needs to dry really well before applying more. There's a thread on the Kitchens forum about this. The nicest thing is that it can be touched up. If you get wear in one spot, you can go over it yourself. For me, worth the time, smell and expense.
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beth
Original Author
13 years ago
Sorry it took me so long to get back online. Busy taking some final exams of my own and moving my DD out of her dorm room - she's graduating!!!!!
Anyway, as she is the camera expert, I'll have her post some of the photos that she has already taken. It's a beautiful floor.
avivacarol
13 years ago
Was this engineered or solid? What product did you use for the wood and was it expensive. But then it sounds like this is a DIY project. Have you noticed any fumes? I am concerned about off gassing and smells as have a kid with asthma, but love the non sheen finishes. Please do post photos. I love white oak quartersawn although that is definitely out of my budget. I am in a condo and it is dark too so I need a light word compatible with dog and kid. Thanks. Carol avivacarol@aol.com
User
13 years ago
avivacarol - Waterlox STINKS! It REEKS! It might or might not trigger an asthma attack, but it's definitely something to do when you can open all windows.

However, if you can send the kid somewhere during the process it's a superb finish after it's cured.
hunzi
13 years ago
I didn't think it stunk too badly. At least not more than I expected a finish to smell. Kind of like paint - some people think paint smells awful, I think it just smells like paint.

I did my 125yr old library floor (red oak we think) in a custom stain (a rich reddish color) with Waterlox - it looks amazing. We're just about to finish the floor to ceiling (birch & pine) bookcases in there with Waterlox too. They're also stained, but not the same color as the floor, a color that matches the older woodwork in the house (something between a golden oak and an old hickory).

If you try Waterlox, I think you'll like it!

Always ;-)
Hunzi
kateskouros
13 years ago
thanks so much for posting! we are finishing up laying our walnut floors for our new build and are going with waterlox. the kitchen has already had one coat laid down and it's unbelievable. i know it will look even more beautiful with more coats. i spoke with a waterlox rep who advised me to do two coats and then the top coat. i've since read of quite a few people doing three coats and then a fourth, top (finish) coat.

i'm thinking more is definitely MORE ...why would the waterlox rep tell me only three coats?

any help appreciated and PLEASE show us pics!

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