Hardwood Flooring: Choosing a Finish

Hardwood flooring is an investment that when finished properly can be a lasting point of enjoyment and pleasure in your home. The finish you choose for your floors, from linseed oil, water based polyurethane or oil based polyurethane, can impact the way your floors wear and age over time.

One of the most natural approaches to finishing is using tung oil. Tung oil, which comes from the seeds of the Tung tree, can provide an all-natural, non-toxic finish that is relatively easy to care for. Compared to other forms of finishes, it doesn't provide the heavy-duty resistance to scratching. However, people that know and use tung oil recommend just re-oiling the scratched area and buffing with a cloth. This makes it ideal for do-it-yourselfers that are not interested in a product that requires the entire floor to be refinished to correct a scratch.

Another low maintenance and all natural product very similar to tung oil is linseed. Linseed oil can provide a similar finish and style to tung. It is non-toxic and relatively easy to apply. The oil is very quick to dry so it can be applied with little effort or fuss. As with tung oil, there is a question about linseed's ability to protect the wood. However, it is easy to reapply so could be used to buff out scratches.

Water based polyurethane is a good product if you are looking for something a little more durable and low-maintenance then the tung or linseed oil. This product is applied very simply and will be dry within a few hours. The cure time is also relatively quick, with the hardwood flooring being fully cured within a week or so. The polyurethane will give the flooring a smooth, finished look that the seed based oils might not.

Oil based polyurethane is perhaps the most durable and lowest maintenance of all the choices. Oil based polyurethane provides major protection from scratches to the wood itself, as well as protecting the wood from mold or other damage. Oil based requires a little more effort when applying, however. It requires at least eight hours or so dry time between coats and won't be fully cured for as long as a month. A professional should apply this product. Because of the strong odor and possibly toxic fumes, the rooms or homes must be evacuated until it has cured for a few days.

There is no one finishing product that is the best or comes the most recommended in hardwood flooring. A lot of the decision depends on whether you are planning to do it yourself or hire a professional and what your maintenance preferences are. 

Determining the type of finish for your hardwood flooring is essential in caring for your investment and the overall look and beauty of your home.