Hardwood floors are definitely in, and they have been for a very long time. Investing in a hardwood floor is a great idea, because of the durability, beauty, and customization options that it gives you. A nice, well maintained hardwood floor is very desirable in a home. In Boise, Idaho this is especially true. Just like with almost every step of installing a hardwood floor, you have a choice as to what kind of finish you’re going to use. Here we will talk about why water-based floor finish is good. While an oil based finish can be good also, if you like efficiency and good looks, a water-based floor finish may be right for you.
Water-based polyurethane is a great way to go when it comes to finishing your floors. The benefits are simple to understand and highly sought after. If you like durability, then a water-based finish is for you. Hardwood flooring is an investment. A water-based finish protects that investment with its long-lasting durability. Wear and tear and abrasions are a given when you have a hardwood floor, and wear resistance equals durability. You may also want a long lasting shine.
Water based floor finishing products not only offer resistance to wear and tear, but they also offer a variety of amber and clear coats for different colors and levels of sheen. You want to be able to choose the way your floor looks and orchestrate the overall aesthetic of your home, and that may be one of the reasons why you chose a hardwood floor in the first place. Amber is warm and welcoming, while a clear coat is more natural and straightforward.
Another benefit of water-based floor finishing is that it contains low voc’s. Volatile Organic Compounds are emitted from certain products as gases. They can also combine with other compounds in light to form smog, a type of air pollutant. A low VOC product, such as a water based floor finish only has about half the amount of voc’s that a traditional oil based finish would have. Not only is this the green solution, but it also means less odor permeating your home.
We also have the benefit of faster cure times. It will take several coats of finish to actually get the job done. Much of the time, with water-based finishes, one coat will dry within hours, making it ready for another coat. This is especially true in Boise, Idaho where you can leave your windows open and let the fresh air help with the drying process and evacuate the odor at the same time. Because you can apply several coats in one day, you may even be able to use the room you are finishing within that same evening or the next morning. Oil-based coatings take much longer to dry.
A water-based floor finish is non-flammable and will not turn yellow like other finishes will. Not only is water-based finish a fire safe option, but your floor will keep its color over it’s lifespan. This means that it will have to be refinished less often than it would otherwise.
You can be proud of your home, and enjoy the way everything is tied together when you use a water-based polyurethane finish. When you invest in a hardwood floor, you need to make sure to make the right decisions as far as finishes. This will ensure that you’ll be happy with the look of your home for a long time. There are many choices to be made, and it’s important that you make the right ones for you.
