How easily can you handle the chemical smell that will be there 30 days after the refinisher leaves?

The complaints often come from people who have to leave their home for the 30+ days it takes to get rid of the smell. Or the people who don't want an "orange" floor....both are part and parcel of oil based polyurethanes.

As the homeowner you really need to know your own tolerances. If you want an orange wood floor, then oil based is the way to go. If you can handle the HEAVY odour that will be around for 30+ days (some people experience migraines, nose bleeds, vomiting, etc during this time and are unable to 'live' in the space during these 4-6 weeks of odour).

Homeowner: Know Thyself.

Personally, if I wanted and orange floor, I would work with an oil modified water borne product from the Bona line. Or an "ambering" additive from Loba's water based finishes.

As for odour, I'm sensitive (my migraines are odour triggered = unable to see out of one eye for 3 days) to light perfume...which means Loba is one of the few options for me. But that's me...some people like the overpowering smell of "rubber cement glue" in their home for weeks on end. It's a cheap "high" I guess.

Any "good" quality oil base polyurethane will have VOC levels over 500. Anything less is crap. Oil base is only considered a "good" quality polyurethane. Look for the VOC level.

You can upgrade to the new "better" one component with a two component feature water base finishes that are out three today, great build, easy to apply finishes. Pallmann X-Power, Bona Mega One, Poloplaz Polo 1k are a few names.

Or upgrade and go to the "top" for the nano technology finishes from Loba Supra AT or Bona Traffic HD.

If, pricing doesn't matter, go all out and use moisture cure or a 2 part solvent acid cure finish for extreme durability.

Thank you! I would not want to deal with the smell probably, because of my young child in the home, this will present a problem. I didn't realize the smell would linger so long. We were thinking about moving out for two weeks, but we can't do that for 30 days, and is it worth it? What I would want is a durable floor, that doesn't look 'plastic'. I have read that Bona traffic can feel plasticky? What do you say? Do you have any experience with Pallmann x98?

All polyurethane finish, which is a film forming finish will look and feel plasticky. It's the nature of the finish. You can opt for a more natural finish like natural or hard wax oils. Which has 0 VOC and cures in 24 hours. The trade off is its maintenance.

As SJ mentioned, if, all there is available in your area is X-98. You will be fine as long as proper coverage is applied.

duni dake , here is a 2nd vote for the Bona Traffic. Our clients love it!

@Oak & Broad, do you have any experience with the Pallmann x-98?

No I do not.

Thank you!

We used Pallman Magic Oil on our floors. After our experience with the product and the company, I would avoid at all cost.

You're welcome. I can't comment on the Duraseal, I only know what I've gone through with the Pallman product and their company.