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water based vs oil based hardwood floor refinishing?

16 years ago

Any input on which is better durability wise? Has anyone used the water-based method on oak floors? We're set to do oil based, but I'm considering water based b/c of the cat, time we'll have to be out of the house, fumes even afterwards, etc.

Featured Answer

zinnah

16 years ago

One thing to consider is that there is a difference in the look of the finishes. On oak oil will be more yellow and will continue to yellow. Water, when used with a water sealer, is more pastel like and the grain of the oak is less aggressive. We preferred to tone down the oak and are very happy. Test some samples.

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Comments (11)

pecanpie
16 years ago
We have water-based on our oak floors, satin finish. I have no idea about the durability issue. We were told water was just as good as oil, but the floor guy would've told us anything...

The floors look great, though, and it's been 3 years.
rgillman
16 years ago
Our floor guy is going to do 4 coats of water-based polyurethane. he swears it's just as good as the oil - and since we are doing the whole downstairs, a lot less disruptive.
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You might try posting in the flooring forums... We've had polyurethane over oak for the last 14 years. This has held up well with minimal maintenance required. We refinished the kitchen area once in that time. In our remodel we are putting in some new floors and going with reclaimed oak flooring milled in downtown L.A. from beams salvaged from a railroad depot in Alabama. We will refinish all our floors at this time and going with either an oil finish or hard wax oil. Our flooring installer recommended Waca oil but the place that made the flooring recommends a hard wax oil. We ordered a bunch of sample colors of Waca oil to check out. Here is one source of samples: http://www.1877floorguy.com/wocooilsafte.html Osmo Hard Wax oil is pretty popular. We'll probably order some samples from them as well: http://worldclasssupply.com/store/OSMO-Wood-Wax-Finish-Transparent-Starting-as-low-as......html My sense is that hard wax oil gives a bit more protection than just oil. I've only seen small samples of wood with these finishes and they look different. Sounds like your finisher will be doing a waca-like treatment. You might want to check into a hardwax oil finish as well, so you know what your options are.
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patches123
16 years ago
If you go with water, then you will want a premium brand and you may want to stain the oak first, if you are wanting them to look mellow lioke oil does over time. A good water brand is Traffic.
grannabelle
16 years ago
we have a very busy household, 4 teenagers, dog, etc and our floor guy very highly recommended oil over water - we have three coats in the kitchen and two thoughout the rest of the house - it looks and is holding up beautifully....a friend has three coats of water base that is showing wear and tear after two years (less busy household...only two teens!) - yes you have to be out of your home for several days - but there was very little if any odor when we returned...
mrslimestone
16 years ago
I was also told (by someone without any interest in selling me the service or product) that oil is more durable so thats what we went with.

I will warn you that it is extremely stinky and must be very toxic while curing. If thats a concern for you, the water is your choice.
alexrander
16 years ago
Someone mentioned Traffic, by Bona. That's the best. It's water based but with a hardener. Water based is always lighter so one either stains the floor first, or uses an oil based prep coat. Call the people at Bona and they'll tell you how. Make sure you get Traffic, and not the cheaper air cured stuff. The hardener is mixed at the time of application.
casey3
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks so much everyone for your input. I'm talking to the refinishing company today and feel like I have a lot more info before having the conversation.
jejvtr
16 years ago
Our floor guy rec oil - 4 coats on new white oak in Kit - it is ready for another coat which he also highly rec every 1-2 yrs before any of the finish is breaking down - they rough up the surface coat & apply another - beats having to refinish or living w/a yucky looking floor!

don't use any oil based products on the hw flooring or they will not be able to re-apply
casey3
Original Author
16 years ago
Just talked to the floor refinisher and he said that on the older white oak floors the oil based swedish finish works much better and will be more durable. He convinced me to go w/ the oil based, especially knowing we'll be out of house for a week on vacation during the time.
booboo60
16 years ago
casey3,
Sounds like you have made your decision but if you need more advice post your question on the flooring forum as there are some great hardwood floor experts over there. My only concern with the oil base would be yellowing in the future; I think the poly does not yellow but those "floor guys" would know. HTH

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