Polyurethane Flooring

Polyurethane is a protective coating that will add longevity to your floors. Polyurethane coating can be used in many different applications, from cabinets to furniture, and a coat of polyurethane will save you money that would otherwise be spent repairing and polishing your current floor. Check out the following article for information you should consider when investigating whether to use polyurethane on your flooring.

What Is Polyurethane?

The chemist Otto Bayer and his co-workers discovered polyurethane in 1937. Since its creation, polyurethane has been improved upon further. It has since been discovered that polyurethane can be used as a protectant for floors, but it can also be used as more than just a floor coating; because it can take many forms, the options for how polyurethane can be used are practically endless.

Polyurethane is created by a very scientific process. It begins by reacting a polyol (an alcohol with more than two reactive hydroxyl groups per molecule) with a di-isocyanate with of course the suitable additives to go along with it. What this means for the resulting product, in practical terms, is that polyurethane is not only a chemical resistant coating but also it can be turned into specialty adhesives, foams of all kinds, and more. Our interest here, obviously, is in polyurethane as used for a protectant and sealant on flooring.

Polyurethane is hands-down the toughest floor coating that you can find for any type of floor. It was created to resist chemicals, which means that it is strong enough to resist most liquids (drink spills, oil splashes, even paint splatters!) that hit your floor. This designed resistance makes cleaning polyurethane a breeze.

Another advantage of polyurethane is the way it strengthens floor surfaces for a longer life. This coating will protect various floor surfaces and keep them looking good longer than any other coating option will. You can comfortably use it on any floors that you think may be treated roughly. The innate resilience of polyurethane can take care of most things; even if it means things are thrown at it regularly. You cannot think of a better floor coating for your kitchen, which witnesses regular oil spills and water spills. A polyurethane floor coating will prevent any of these things harming your floor.

Why Use Polyurethane On Your Wood Floors?

Hardwood floors need some kind of surface protectant, and polyurethane is far and away the most popular choice these days for protecting wood flooring. It is easy to see why polyurethane is the popular choice. It provides a long lasting protective layer of coating to wood flooring, thus making it a universally accepted solution to many problems. Polyurethane is a great coating for any type wood floor in any area of the home, because of the strength and resistance that it provides. If it can resist chemicals and moisture of all kinds, it is a good choice in your laundry room, kitchen or bathroom.

All in all, the biggest selling points of using polyurethane floor coating are:

  • Polyurethane protects the floor from all types of damage.
  • Polyurethane is comparatively inexpensive, and can save money in floor repairs in the long run.
  • A polyurethane coating will increase the lifespan and durability of your flooring significantly.
  • A flooring coated in polyurethane is very easy to clean.
  • The polyurethane coating is simple to apply and does not need to be re-applied as often as other flooring sealant options.

One of the chief reasons polyurethane is so popular is that it is quite affordable. Since it is produced in bulk by a lot of chemical companies, availability of polyurethane is never going to be a problem. Also, most suppliers keep regular stock of this product and you can easily get it from any reputed one.

Of course, coating your floors in polyurethane will cost a bit of money on the front end. But the peace of mind and lasting protection it promises makes it totally worth the money spent. Lightweight polyurethane flooring can reduce damage from moisture, dirt and grime, and daily wear and tear.

Things To Consider When Choosing A Polyurethane Finish

There are a few things you will need to consider when choosing a polyurethane finish for your floors. You will want to consider the final desired appearance, whether to use an oil or water based polyurethane, and the application method you would prefer to use.

The Look

Do you want your floors to be shiny (high-gloss), or matte (satin)? Or is your preference something in between? With a polyurethane finish, you have the option of choosing the gloss level, similar to when choosing paint for your walls. Something to keep in mind when choosing the finish is that a higher gloss look will show more imperfections in the flooring, while a satin finish hides those marks better.

The Application Process

Your choices when it comes to how you will be applying the polyurethane finish to your floors are spray on, wipe on, or brush on. The best choice for your project depends on more than just your preference here. The application style here depends more on the type of polyurethane you have chosen, the room (and room size) where you are applying the finish, and the humidity level in the area where you will be applying the polyurethane. Choosing the right method of application is extremely important, as a bad application will result in some pretty noticeable problems like bubbles and streaks and will mean the polyurethane will not protect your floors as well. Repairing a bad polyurethane application means stripping and refinishing, which is a very involved process, so it’s important you know what you are doing on the application before starting.

Water vs Oil Based Polyurethane

You have two choices when it comes to the type of polyurethane you will use. There are a number of differences between oil based and water based polyurethane, including:

  • Appearance: Oil based polyurethane has an amber appearance, while a water based finish is clear.
  • Drying times: An oil based polyurethane takes much longer to dry fully.
  • Cost: A water based polyurethane can be as much as twice the cost of oil based.
  • VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds): The gases omitted from an oil based polyurethane are significantly higher than from water based.
  • Thickness: An oil based polyurethane coating is thicker and will need less coats applied to the flooring.

Water based polyurethane is improving these days, and is becoming more popular, though oil based polyurethane is still the industry standard, I do see that changing with all of the benefits a water based polyurethane can offer.

The Downside To Polyurethane Flooring Coating

As with any major home improvement decision, you should educate yourself about polyurethane before you make your purchase. Primarily, you want to be careful not to purchase the wrong kind of polyurethane because it could ruin your wood flooring.

The main problems associated with polyurethane flooring include:

  • Safety: It is a dangerous chemical to use.
  • Compatibility: Can be hard to determine the best match for your floor.

Off-gassing from polyurethane can be dangerous. You need to be careful to not inhale too much of it because the toxins can make you ill. It’s also flammable, so be careful when using it near flames. Once it is applied, it’s comparatively safe, though the levels of VOCs are a worry for many. It does off-gas for a while, so chemically sensitive people need to be aware of that as they make decisions about flooring sealants.

As is quite clear from the above, choosing the right polyurethane is crucial to the success and overall happiness of your flooring.

So how do you know which polyurethane to go with? The best way to ensure you are happy with the final product is to buy the polyurethane from reputed agencies. There are quite a lot of suppliers out there who claim to deal with the best quality polyurethane, but obviously they cannot all be the best. Check out customer reviews, get advice from professionals, and don’t let the price be the primary factor in your decision. By purchasing your polyurethane from a well-reputed supplier, you will not have to worry much about the quality of product you are receiving and can rest assured you are making a worthwhile investment in the life of your flooring.

Polyurethane is a great choice to coat your floor with because it protects and strengthens the flooring surface. The added resistance will help your flooring survive almost anything that comes its way!

86 thoughts on “Polyurethane Flooring”

  1. we have 8 year old hardwood floors that have a poly coating on them. unfortunately we used murphy’s oil soap on them for about a year and it turned them very dull. we want to re-poly our floors but our hardwood floor company is telling us that the poly will not adhere to the floor due to the wax build up from the murphy’s oil soap. is there a stripping agent that can be used? we are wanting to avoid sanding and creating a huge dusty mess. thank you!

    Reply
  2. Hi Michelle,
    I don’t think you’re going to be able to get around stripping the whole thing. You’ll have to use a stripping agent and THEN sand because of the Murphy’s build-up. If nothing else, it’s a valuable lesson learned – don’t clean with products that leave a build up.
    For cleaning wood floors plain water is best (make sure not to let it soak into the wood…spray it on with a mister bottle and wipe it up with a microfiber mop) or a cleaner recommended by a hardwood floor professional. A weak vinegar/water solution works well too on ocassion, you shouldn’t need to do this every time you clean your floor – 3 or 4 times a year would be ok. At any rate, after cleaning your floor, go back over it with a dry microfiber mop (I always keep a few different mop heads handy for mine!) to ‘shine’ it.

    Reply
  3. my house is 2yrs old I have 2dogs we’ve tried floor cleaners, vinegar&water,just water, ammonia & water windex everything there is always paw prints our foot prints what should I use ?please help!

    Reply
  4. Hi Sandy,
    What kind of flooring do you have? I would assume it’s wood, but don’t know for sure since you haven’t said. Poly is frequently used on other flooring types as well.
    I’m worried that you may have used some floor cleaners previously that has left a residue that is difficult/impossible to remove. Have you used any products such as Orange Glo, or something of that ilk? I hate to say it, but sometimes the only thing that really helps is to strip & refinish – then use only a vinegar and water solution after that. Some green cleaners (environmentally friendly types) are also usually safe, but it’s best to check them out first.
    I could probably be of more help if you let me know what kind of flooring you have, what brands of cleaners you’ve used and what kind of poly was used.

    Reply
  5. We recently purchased a home that has handscraped bamboo wood flooring throughout. Since we have 3 small children, I paid a flooring company to come in and put a protective coat on the floors, we moved in 3 days later and for some reason the bottom story of our home, the floors look terrible. The coating is peeling up everywhere and looks scratched up everywhere. Is there a way to strip off this coating without damaging the handscraped look of the bamboo flooring?

    Reply
  6. Hi Holly,
    I don’t think you should have to do anything – the flooring company should take care of it. It sounds like the product that they used wasn’t compatible. The finish certainly shouldn’t be peeling after just a few days!

    Reply
  7. Hi, I have hardwood pine floors. The previous owners started the floor by sanding and applying 1 coat of poly. I want to apply more coats of poly but I am unsure of what kind of poly and what instruments are needed to do the job. Everyone is telling me most of the work has already been done. The second coat is all that is needed. Please help.

    Reply
  8. My house was built in the 1950’s and has oak floors. I just recently sanded them and applied a stain that went on horrible! It showed all the over laping marks when it dried. When I went back to the store I purchased the stain, they tld me I needed to use a conditioner first. Well, they didn’t tell me that to begin with, so they said to use the polyshades (stain & polyurethane in one) in a darker color and apply two coats. So I did.The floors look great now and have an even color but my floors are still not as shiny and as sealed as I would like. Can I apply a polyurethane on top of the polyshades? Please help!

    Reply
  9. Hi Kia,
    Any possibility of contacting the previous owners to find out? If that can’t be done, I’d recommend testing in a small, inconspicuous spot to see which kind of poly works. If there aren’t any closets or anything, choose a spot that would always be covered by furniture or an area rug. That’s really about all you can do. Good luck!

    Reply
  10. i want a proffesional company to sand, restain and repoly my floors. i have 3 little kids 5 , 3, 4 months. is the sanding dangerous for the air in my house, meaning is it like lead that they warn you about on all paint cans? my house was built in 1940. are there any other health risks. i am having the guy use water based poly
    also he said he was going to put on three coats of poly is that enough?
    finally, if my kids play on the floor will it come off on their hands and toys
    thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  11. Hi!
    We have laminate flooring throughout our house. I would love for it to have a nice deep shine. Could I polyurethane it, or are there any other products I can use to give it that “look”?
    Thank you and Happy Holidays!

    Reply
  12. i had a guy come to polyurethane my floors but he said there are water damaged spots and he cant do it are there any ways to get around this problem?
    also on my other room he wants to use oil poly for how long is the fumes dangerous for little kids or for my husband and myself?

    Reply
  13. Hi Ark,
    It might be a good idea to out of the house while your workers sand, but other than that you’ll be ok. Most poly manufacturers are even making their products more environmentally friendly now too so that there is little or no off-gassing. Coming in physical contact with the poly isn’t a problem.
    3 coats sound good – it really depends on what the manufacturer’s recommend. You really want a good coating on your floor – especially with it being in a room that’s going to have lots of activity.

    Reply
  14. Hi Cathy,
    Without knowing what your flooring is, I really can’t recommend anything. Much of the laminate flooring made today is already sealed and often using additional sealers voids the warranty. Your best bet is to call the manufacturer, see what they recommend if anything. If you don’t care if you void your warranty, the manufacturer might still be helpful in figuring out what kind of product to use or at least give you info about what kind of finish your floor has so YOU can figure out what types of products will be compatible for you to use. Good luck!

    Reply
  15. Hi Rina,
    I think I’d get a second opinion, especially since water-based polys are very good too. What are the water damaged spots you’re referring to – a bit more info would be most helpful. What kind of flooring do you have and what room is this in?

    Reply
  16. Hi, we had our floors sanded, stained, and polyed. Trouble is there was little shine after their 2 coats, so I applied 2 more coats (pretty heavy coats) to the first floor and 1 to upstairs. (I used a lambs wool). Recently I noticed little peel spots. They appear to be starting at the joint between boards and seem to be started anywhere there is flex in the floor. Is there any way to keep this from getting too bad, or stop it. I thought about using a utility knife and very easily cut the poly between boards. Good idea?, bad?

    Reply

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