Water based poly on wood in a kitchen? Will I regret it?

7 years ago

I am actually posting for a friend who is having technical difficulties logging on right now. She is renovating her kitchen (as am I), so we are constantly bouncing questions off each other. I just did an oil finish on my new wood floors in my kitchen which came out lousy. Lots of bubbles in the last coat. Getting some second opinions before I proceed with original contractor and decide what to do. My friend just got a quote for her floor and the flooring contractor said he's been using water based polyurethane for 10 years. It's commercial grade and it's fine for a kitchen. Will she regret it? I am not sure what's worse, my bubbly too shiny oil finish or a water based finish that may wear quicker. Would love feedback from people who have water based polyurethane on their floors, specifically in kitchens and those who have kids. Thanks!

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PRO

G & S Floor Service

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Sandra,

Trek Plus is a good finish. Formerly part of LastN'Last, now with Absolute. Although Absolute owns LastN'Last, also.

With proper sanding and coverage. The aluminum oxide finish will last . This finish will benefit from a film building sealer. Apply several coats of sealer, then 1 or 2 coats of Trek Plus. That's how factory finish floors are coated. Several film building sealers (5-8), then 1 or 2 coats of top coats.

If, you would like to find out what type of polyurethane is best. Contact the sales rep of the brand that you would like to use. They will tell you which of their product line is best. Oil base is a good quality finish, not the best. Water base and solvent base will out perform an oil base finish. Many contractors will recommend an oil base finish, because it does not require detailed sanding, is easy to put down and doesn't break the bank.

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Comments (10)

User
7 years ago
Water based poly science has come a long way from 10 years ago. It might take four coats versus three(oil based), but the toughness should be similar.
kazmom
7 years ago
We did a water based finish on our floors. So far they are fine, but it is only been a few months. My GC‘s flooring guy feels that the finish is pretty durable and close to or as good as the oil based finish though, and we have known the GC a long time and trust him, so we went with it.

We had oil based finish in our last hole though and had no issues with bubblying. The two floors really look very similar as far as finish. The oil based maybe a little shinier, but it certainly wasn’t high gloss.
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PRO
G & S Floor Service
7 years ago
Quality depends, on which water base product line you are comparing oil to. Do you have names and product line that is being applied?
Carolyn K
7 years ago
Our refinisher used Bona Traffic water based poly (3 coats) on our kitchen floor 3 years ago, and they still look impeccable. No fading, wear, etc. That being said, we do not wear shoes in the house, and run the vacuum robot every night after dinner.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
7 years ago
Where did you get the idea that a water based poly would wear more quickly, please?
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
7 years ago
We only have water based finishes where I live and I have never heard problems I think the idea that oil based finishes are better is a very old idea.I for one am thrilled that oil based products and their smell have gone bye bye.
Sandra Durante
Original Author
7 years ago
G&S Floor Service - she asked the flooring contractor. He uses a brand called Trek. He said the company recently changed the name of it, but that what it was called into recently. Do you know anything about that brand?
SJ McCarthy
7 years ago
The high end water based finishes (Bona, Loba, StreetShoe, etc) have BETTER wear characteristics than oil. They are MUCH pricier than oil...but then again many things are pricier than an oil based wood finish (Minwax can be had for $30/gallon - if you can find it).

The LOW END water based polyurethanes (the stuff sitting RIGHT NEXT TO THE MINWAX on the shelf at Lowes or HD) are the one's that have the lower wear characteristics. Gone are the days that water based finishes were a lower quality. Now a days these high end finishes are ONLY found in water based formulas. Why? Because oil based finishes are illegal in Europe and 11 states in the USA (CARB compliant states do not allow Minwax to be sold by the gallon...it's illegal).
Sandra Durante
Original Author
7 years ago
Joseph Corlett - Many floor companies say oil is stronger , but I am guessing they say that because it’s cheaper to use?

My sister had oil base in her old home and water base in her new home, and she also feels the oil was a little more durable. But I know so many factors come into play - type of product used, the company applying it etc