It is hard to comment without knowing brand names. The 6 or 7 coats of water based polyurethane is not common. I've looked into the finishes on the Tolosa/Ventana in the Mission Collection. This is an Acrylic Urethane finish. The amount of coats points towards an Aluminum Oxide or ceramic bead infused product but none is listed on the websites I could find. In theory, it should not discolour...the colour should not turn orange. The "fading" of these floors will be highly dependent on the pigments used to create the stain. They could be colour fast...or they could fade heavily in direct sunlight. It is hard to tell. The dealer should have some information on the colour fast rating of the Mission Collection. If the species of wood "darkens" in the presence of sunlight...then the floor will darken (cherry is famous for darkening). If the species "lightens" or fades in the presence of sunlight (oak and cork lighten in direct sunlight) then the floor will lighten. It is a combination of both the species AND the stain.

The oiled finishes are a bit different. They enhance the species tendency to fade/darken when exposed to sunlight/any light. It is true the oil finish needs a bit more maintenance but scratches are easy to deal with and you can refresh the finish yourself at any time. The Acrylic finish on the other floors would require a professional to deal with refinishing. The acrylic will scratch and the scratches will be noticeable and they will be hard to deal with. The oil finished floors will be very difficult to see scratches and what scratches occur are easily fixed "in house" when you feel like you need to do it.

The oil will require more "refinishing" but that can be done by you. The acrylic will take a very long time to "need" refinishing but it will require a professional to do it.

UV off-gassing is dependent on the brands of finished used and can vary greatly from one manufacturer and another. Oil finishes are normally considered low VOC but the SMELL can be atrocious. Low VOC does NOT me low odour! You can have a bad smell that does not affect your health. You can have odourless products that can kill (carbon monoxide comes to mind). Smell alone does not indicate "toxic" vs. "non-toxic".

Thank you very much for your help! I have few fellow up questions:

1. What's the difference between acrylic and water based finish? Which one is recommended?

2. We are not set on any specific brand yet, although, we were considering Garrison white oak Dover-uv oil finish, Ventana and Pacific medium brown shades. In your opinion, which brand offers better finishes?

3. Is there a product out there, which is white oak (similar to what I have in the picture) but with polyurethane finish instead of oil?

4. Do you sell flooring, and have a showroom in the Bay Area?

Thanks!

I'm dealing with these same decisions. I've picked out 2 engineered by Bella Cera which seem to come with a nice finish One is the VeronaCollection > Verona

ParmaHickoryBSPA1136< Previous Product Next Product >Artisan Hand-Carved Engineered Hardwood FlooringHighlightsStyleDesign:Artisan Hand Scraped & Chiseled Distressed Variable-Width PlanksColor:GoldenGloss Level:Elegant Satin FinishEdge Type:Hand Distressed & Hand AntiquedFinish:8-Coats Valspar Ultra-Transparent Aluminum OxideDimensionsThickness:1/2"Width:4"/5"/6"Length:15 - 60 in | Varying lengthsSq. Ft. Per Carton34.45Construction:EngineeredInstallation & WarrantyInstallation Warranty:Residential - 50-Year Finish
Commercial - 5-Year Finish
Dimensions

And the other is Cinque Terre

VernazzaHickoryCLVE028

Character Grade Engineered Hardwood FlooringHighlightsStyleDesign:Wire Brushed & Hand Stained Sliced-Face Variable-Width PlanksColor:BrownGloss Level:Elegant Satin FinishEdge Type:Lightly DistressedFinish:8-Coats Valspar Ultra-Transparent Aluminum OxideDimensionsThickness:3/8"Width:4"/5"/6"Length:12 - 48 in | Varying lengthsSq. Ft. Per Carton19.69Construction:EngineeredInstallation & WarrantyInstallation Warranty:Residential - 50-Year Finish
Commercial - 5-Year FinishEnvironmentally FriendlyC
Rustic Character Grade Hardwood FlooringCinque Terre is rustic character grade hardwood flooring that is lightly wire-brushed to preserve the natural beauty of its cracks and knots. Each plank's edges and ends are also distressed by hand, creating a look that beautifully balances smoothness and character on this 4”/5”/6” variable width product. This hardwood is easy on the environment too, sealed with a custom 8-coat, American Valspar™ stain and finish, which contains no added formaldehyde, ammonia or heavy metals.

And I really like a floor by D&M Flooring - a french oak that has an oil finish and really beautiful but I've heard the maintenance is as much as a solid hardwood. Not sure if I'm being lead astray by one flooring company in Houston that doesn't carry the French Oak or if I should really be concerned. I have 2 dogs, prefer low maintenance and putting down about 2,000 sq ft of something.

Anybody have any history with either type floor?

© 2015 D&M Flooring • Site by WL

Robingg, some time has past since your post. What did you decide and are you happy? I am considering that D&M French oak with oil finish. Advice?

Just saw the responses on my original post, and thought I'll share my experience.

we installed the garrison II - white oak dover and very happy with it because:

- we hardly see spots or dust on it

- easier to clean

- very contemporary feel and brightens the house

We get a lot of compliments on our wood :) so happy that we didn't pick the darker ones.

Aysha, since you've had the Engineered 'white oak - UV cured oil finished wide planks installed for over a year, do you have any pros and cons?

I am currently in a same dilemma as you were,....my biggest concern is that I've heard that UV cured oil finished engineered wood require annual maintenance & I prefer anything low maintenance to no maintenance - THX!!

Sunny, I am glad I picked this material. So easy to maintain. I didn’t have to go through any extra steps. I bought the Woca soap which I use max 1-3 times a week to keep them clean, and that’s all!

We've been in our house since February and have the D&M oil-cured oak....it's beautiful and has been no problem to care for. We use the D&M spray cleaner - easy. There have been a a couple of things dropped that caused tiny marks, but they've not even warranted the use of the recommended furniture finish repair stick. But - poly finish would have had a permanent scratch. Love my floors.

I have D&M Royal Oak UV Oil Cured Floors as well. We love them throughout the house but its been terrible in the kitchen! If I spill the tiniest amount of anything that is oily, a deep dark stain sets in that is not removable. Does anyone know what I can do about this? I have mats down but inevitably something spills where my mats are not placed!

Thank you very much Aysha for your response.

My friend also put UV Oil Cured Floors wide oak planks in her kitchen (the whole 1st floor) and she told me she has had a lot of trouble w/stains and cleaning,...she said, DO NOT get them,..I am more confused than ever,...HELP!!! Is there a polyurethane brand ( European wide planks) someone can recommend?

Sunny did you find the wood you are looking for? What brand and color did you buy? I am having the same confusion and problem. Thank you

Hi, no, I haven't decided on anything yet, I am still searching, have you found anything yet?? I found at the Floor & Decor, "Versailles Montpellier Oak Handscraped Engineered Hardwood". It looked nice on the wall display, but I don't know if it has too much variation fr each of the planks or not,....I prefer not to have too much. I found out it is UV Cured Oil!! Is there any beautiful French Oak wide plank that is NOT UV Oil???

Hi Aisha, thank you for responding to my earlier question,...I was wondering if you installed the wood flooring also in your kitchen?? If you did, did you have any problems getting staining out?? Would love to get your feed back, thanks!!

I've been through this same dilemma. What I ended up using in the house we gutted in 2016 was the Johnson Engineered - Alehouse collection - Blonde http://www.johnsonhardwood.com/products/alehouse/blonde.html  It truly is a beautiful floor and requires virtually no maintenance. I have two dogs, wanted something wire-brushed (hand scraped too often looks "wavy" and plastic) and a medium color (nothing too dark - shows way too much) However, for the house we're renovating now, I'm going to go with something with less color variation between boards. I considered the D&M then researched and realized that the ones I liked (wide widths, medium color) had a high color variation which doesn't always show up in their samples. What I've narrowed it down to in this next place is the Bella Cera - Bergamo collection - Tawny http://www.bellacerafloors.com/hardwood-flooring/Bergamo/French%20Oak/Tawny-flooring.aspx  It's a polyurethane finish (hae heard nightmares about UV oil) What I plan to do is to order a full box to see exactly how much color variation there is. And also, I like longer length boards which the Johnson Alehouse offers. This one says 85% long boards and it looks beautiful in the pics I've seen.

Following.

Can't seem to find "Tawny" in the Bergamo collection,..."Wash" or "Mist" looks good. Would love to see your box that you ordered laid out,....

Hi there,

I came upon these posts because I am in the same boat trying to decide between a UV cured urethane floor and a UV llacquer floor.

I noticed the suggestion for Bella Cera by Hurst. Was wondering if you looked at the specs? The line I saw was 1/2” thick and 2mm wear layer which is a really thin layer. It’s difficult to refinish an area without going through the oak at some point.

DM Casa collection has 4mm (UV lacquer) and Villa Blanca collection has 5 or 6mm (UV urethane)

They are worth checking out, but I am still stumped here as to which finish is better for non-yellowing and stain resistance in the kitchen. My husband is very messy

following

Cindy, have you made a decision? I'm in the exact situation. :-)

I am exactly where you are? Polyurethane or uv cured hard wax oil. I want a light modern wide plank floor like this.

What did you decide?

I decided to install the UV cured wax look - (white oak flooring), and I am very happy with my decision.

I am a residential designer, in the last 2 years, 100% of my clients have installed white oak flooring and the trend is continuing...these floors are easy to maintain and clean. Plus they look beautiful. Go with any themes (modern, transitional, farmhouse, etc) or furniture.

You can check my profile for more images at AK Design.

AK have they been installed in kitchens? I agree the look is so much nicer. I am just worried about wine or oil stains in the kitchen. We entertain quite a bit.

Is there a brand or two you would recommend?

Yes, they are installed throughout (engineered floors), please check the kitchen image in the link below:

https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/farmhouse-los-altos-ca-farmhouse-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~133053431

Some brands that I have used are: Kylin, amador, hestia, but I am sure there are plenty of other good brands too.

You do beautiful work! Wish you were in Texas!

Thank you :)

Where are you in Texas? I am planning to come for some work to Austin soon.

Ak design - which white oak did you go with? The garrison ii?

White Oak Dover

Please note: the original picture has white oak Dover from garrison II. My last image has: Hestia country white (wide plank, white oak).

We are in Houston - Lake Conroe.

following. @AK Design may I know where did you buy the white oak Dover from garrison II? Seems you are in bay area and we are looking for sth earlier. Is it okay for black island though? We have white shaker upper cabinets but black island...

black cabinets. we haven't decided on counter tops yet. Pictures in this thread: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5924589/help-us-pick-a-floor

White oak floors look nice with any color countertops - if the overall combo (countertops, cabinets, backsplash, and floors) works.

I would like to know if thenuv oil finish darkens or yellows the white oak as it ages. Anyone?

If managed properly, the UV oil floors don’t fade.

@ak design: what cleaner and refresher do you and your clients use for UV-cured oil white oak floors? Manufacturer recommended to me a type that explicitly says only for polyurethane floors (not waxed or oiled).

Please use any wax or oil product. Polyurethane ones are for polyurethane-based floors. The one that I have used is called "Woca wood cleaner."

@shandrakg the pic is exactly the look we're going for. What did you end up deciding?

@Donna Reed we went for it. We have it in the kitchen as well and it has not been an issue.

@shandrakg Which flooring did you chose? Do you have picks? Thanks!

Check out Pureza wood out of Chicago. They are soon opening a store in Texas