Best Overall
General Finishes High-Performance Water-Based Topcoat
Runner-Up
Minwax Water-Based Oil-Modified Polyurethane
Best Bang for the Buck
Minwax Polycrylic Protective Clear Finish Topcoat
We may clear taxation from the ware available on this page and participate in affiliate program . con More ›
Hardwood storey add lulu and value to a home plate , but they ’re expensive and can be hard to hold with both low and mellow human foot traffic . That being said , you ’ll desire to deal them like the investing they are . Whether made of oak tree , bamboo , maple , or a variety of other species and materials , your hardwood floors need protective covering — and that come from the good piddle - base polyurethane .
With so many flooring finishes on the market , though , it can be difficult to determine which is the good one for your particular office . Knowing which Cartesian product will last the longest is a challenge , but we assembled this template to help . We also talk to deck experts who impart us their in - deepness knowledge on the serious direction to protect wood floor . We cover the top thoughtfulness to keep in mind and review some of the best options presently on the market .
How We Chose the Best Water-Based Polyurethanes for Floors
To get a better understanding of what specifically to look for , we interviewed Rotem Eylor , the CEO and Founder ofRepublic Flooringbased in California . He says that “ flooring that is light in people of color , like light-colored Grant Wood floor , are better suited for water - base polyurethane because it dries more clear and wo n’t darken the appearance of the color . ” His advice to shoppers is to “ Consider the lightness of the floor , how tight you postulate it to dry out , your experience with using body of water - based polyurethan , maintenance sustenance and cost . Generally it is more expensive than vegetable oil free-base . ”
With this in mind , we researched the most seek - after water system - based polyurethanes for floor in their respective categories . During our enquiry , we discovered that the best options are set by their reportage , finishes , simplicity of software , cure time , and the other special features included with top brands .
As we searched for the best water - establish polyurethan for floors , we found that the most popular products among users provided between 62 and 600 square pes of reportage arena in matte , plane , extremist - flat , quartz - light , semi - gloss , and colour finishes . to boot , our top pick are easy to apply with a encounter , hair curler , or staining pad .
While most of thesetop flooring finishesrequire multiple coat , each has a libertine curing time of 2 to 24 hours ( although one does take 7 days to full cure ) for a scratch- , abrasion- , and scuff - tolerant finish , even in high - traffic areas . Plus , select weft are safe for indoor / outdoor manipulation , contain ultraviolet ( UV ) blockers , are no - odor or low - VOC expression , or are eco - friendly .
Our Top Picks
This batting order of the skilful water - free-base polyurethan products for story includes some of the right options on the market in a variety of categories . Keep reading through for more selective information on high - calibre polyurethan floor finishing , as well as the shopping considerations to keep in mind when comparing them .
For a hard , long-lived polyurethan , control out General Finishes high - performance urine - based topcoat . This finish , available in gallon , dry pint , or quart sizes , contains a UV stabilizer to protect the coating from intense UV rays on the floor ’s surface and prevent yellowing or ambering .
apply General Finishes is a straightforward process . Simply habituate a synthetic or froth brush , staining lodgings , or roller with a fluent finish . Each coat dry in around 2 hours . General Finishes recommends apply this piss - based polyurethane at a temperature no slap-up than 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 50 percent humidity . Keep in mind that it ’s not worthy for outdoor applications , as this is an indoor - only polyurethan .
Get the General Finishes water - base polyurethan atAmazonorWalmart .
For the superscript durability of a traditional polyurethane along with the comfortable applications programme and killing of a water - establish formula , this water - based , oil - modified polyurethane from Minwax is durable yet still dries promptly and cleans up with warm piss .
The Minwax urine - based oil - qualify polyurethan has a decipherable satin sheen , provide just a hint of burnish along with soft cleaning and sustenance . Ideally , hold it on a day no hot than 77 stage Fahrenheit and humidness at no more than 50 pct . To put on , simply utilise a synthetic bristle or froth brush , or a crimper , and apply flimsy coats .
Photo: depositphoto.com
Each coat should take 2 hours to dry , and Minwax paint a picture lightly sanding the first pelage with 220 - grit sandpaper , take away the dust , and applying a second coating . floor surface with this Minwax product are quick for light substructure traffic in 24 hours , furniture in 72 minute , and carpet can be put back in 7 days . Keep in mind that this is an oil - change Cartesian product , so it ’s effective to use in a well - ventilated sphere .
Get the Minwax oil - modified polyurethan atAmazon(1 gallon),Ace Hardware(1 quart ) , orWalmart(1 Imperial gallon ) .
Minwax ’s polycrylic H2O - based topcoat offers an impressive protective coating for an affordable damage . This production provides scratch resistance on upcountry wood surface that can be because of base dealings and other damage , yet it ’s affordable enough to have on hand for touch - ups when needed .
Photo: depositphoto.com
After the appropriate routine of coats have been employ ( typically three , per Minwax ) , it harden full in just 24 hour . Cleanup is easy , requiring only lovesome water and a act of max .
Get Minwax polycrylic polyurethane atAmazon , Lowe’s , Ace Hardware , orWalmart .
Upgrade Pick
Bona Mega Polyurethane Wood Floor Finish
DIYers who do n’t mind spend more for worthwhile design may want to give Bona Mega wood floor finish a try . This product uses a special formula that reacts with oxygen otherwise from other polyurethan . This chemical formula flows and ego - level , pee it easier to apply and improve its performance over some other products .
This weewee - found polyurethane dries between coat in 2 hr , and it fully cures in 7 Day . It ’s easy to apply with stock water supply - based polyurethane program method acting , and it features improved flow , leveling , and work up for a professional - grad finish .
Get the Bona water - base polyurethan atAmazon .
Photo: amazon.com
Best High-Traffic
Varathane Water-Based Clear Gloss Polyurethane
in high spirits - traffic orbit are susceptible to scrapes , scratches , dull , and other unsuitable stain . This Varathane floor stopping point was designed to resist scuffs , abrasions , and scratches to facilitate protect floors , yet it boasts a no - odor pattern . It ’s also easy to put on , thanks to its ability to self - level , and it wo n’t yellow .
This glossy , water supply - free-base polyurethane dries to a clear ending , which is often preferred in new coldcock induction . diligence expect the same basic steps and peter as other water - found products : Clean the aerofoil , employ the product with a brush or roller , and allow it to dry between coats ( which should take 2 hours , though it dries to the touch in 1 60 minutes ) . Give it about 24 hours to completely cure .
Note : Some retailers only have this polyurethane in 2 - congius set , which could be more than some DIYers need .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Varathane water - based polyurethane for floors atAmazonorThe Home Depot .
Best for Sunny Rooms
Minwax Helmsman Water-Based Spar Urethane
Sun streaming through large window can work havoc on received polyurethane floor finishes , but Minwax Helmsman water - based spar urethane can stand up to the intensity . This product ’s built - in UV blocker are design to cut down the graying and fading effects on any textile it covers , including shock .
The sparring urethane applies just like a typical water - based polyurethan at an idealistic condition of 77 degree Fahrenheit and 50 per centum relative humidity . employ the coats with a brush or crimper with a smooth cover . Each coat takes around 2 hours to dry , at which item Christ Within sanding and cleaning are expect before total another coat . After the final coat , the ruined surface want 24 to 72 hours before normal use . Keep in mind that this ware is not specifically made for floor , so it may require more frequent touching - up than other product .
Get the Minwax Helmsman spar urethane for floors atAmazon , Ace Hardware , orWalmart .
Photo: amazon.com
Best Coverage
Rust-Oleum Parks Pro Finisher Clear Polyurethane
DIY trading floor refinishers who require to get the most coverage from their polyurethane will require to deal Rust - Oleum Parks Pro Finisher water - based polyurethan . This protective coat comes in 1 - gallon jugs that are well-to-do to open up and pour from than standard cans , and each jug can cover up to 700 solid feet . It dry in as little as an hour , allow for the user to apply another coat rather than oil - based finish .
Pro Finisher polyurethan is designed to fill and varnish the stoma of hard and softwood , protecting against chemicals and attrition . It ’s also nonyellowing , so users wo n’t have to strip and refinish their floor as often . It ’s usable in satin , semi - gloss , and gloss , with gloss being the more clothing - resistant choice . It does require a lower limit of three coat , however , and only two coats should be applied the same day .
Get the Rust - Oleum pee - based polyurethane atThe Home Depot .
Photo: amazon.com
Best for Light Floors
Minwax Ultimate Floor Finish
end lightsome - colored wood floor takes the right ware to avoid ambering and permit the natural look to polish through — and Minwax Ultimate Floor Finish might be just the slate . This pee - based polyurethane hardwood level culture sport a special formula that creates a rugged story finish while also resisting ambering over time , an ideal compounding for faint Mrs. Henry Wood floor .
Ultimate Floor Finish is easy to apply with a clash or roll . It dry enough for a second coat in 2 60 minutes , and it does n’t require sand between coats . This mean DIYers can cease the entire floor in one day . Each gallon can cover between 400 and 500 square feet of story infinite , and full ironical meter is between 24 and 72 hours . The biggest challenge is that it can be hard to find anywhere but on Amazon right now , so make certain to order enough .
Get the Minwax Ultimate weewee - establish polyurethane atAmazonorLowe ’s .
Photo: amazon.com
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Water-Based Polyurethane for Floors
Whether finishing a new floor facility for the first time or refinishing subsist floors , choosing the correct water - base polyurethane is of import . The follow division signal out some of the most important considerations to keep in mind when shopping for these products . Read each section to aid make an informed conclusion .
Durability and Longevity
Since it has a direct effect on its seniority , a polyurethan mathematical product ’s lastingness is one of the most important agent to view . Water - based polyurethan typically lasts about 3 to 5 years at maximal shine and performance , compared to a varnishor crude - based polyurethan ’s 7 to 10 years . But that depend on a few circumstance :
area that do n’t see much sunshine or traffic can see finishes that last longer than the typical 5 age .
Sheen and Appearance
The good urine - based polyurethan for floor issue forth in a few different levels of lustre , also known as “ sheen , ” to create avibrant , beautiful floor finish . trading floor refinishers can choose from high-pitched - gloss , semblance , satin , and flat polyurethanes .
Satin polyurethan are typically ideal for flooring applications . These polyurethanes pop the question just a bit of shine , but they ’re less likely to get dull in high - traffic areas . Moreover , they offer more grip than a in high spirits - gloss finish , making the story safer to take the air on without experience gravelly or unpleasant .
Ease of Application
Much like fossil oil - base orexterior wood finishes , water - establish polyurethanes are mere to apply . DIYers can apply the product to their flooring with a pigment rolling wave , a roller arm designed for floor , or a brushing . Before starting the project , keep these tips in mind :
Odor
water supply - based polyurethanes commonly have less - intense aroma than oil - base finishes . However , a few options may contain VOCs , so it ’s a good idea to open windowpane for ventilation and wear a mask during program .
Drying and Curing Time
Most H2O - free-base finishes require more than one pelage ( three is typically the minimum ) , so dry out time between coats is a major factor when choose the best water - found polyurethane . Some of the most convenient product feature dry times between coat as short as 1 hour , although others might take much longer .
Final curing metre take issue among mathematical product . For example , polycrylicdries very quickly after program , but it can take longer than polyurethane to heal . Typically , these finish may take only a few time of day to dry out between coat , but curing usually take twenty-four hour period . Most products are suitable for idle traffic after 24 hours and furniture after 72 hours . The finishing in all likelihood still wo n’t reach its total curative for another week or two .
Cleaning and Maintenance
One of the great benefits of stop knock down surfaces with polyurethan is that it make themeasy to clean . With a coating of polyurethane , even hardwood floor can take a thorough mopping without damage ; just be certain not to use too much water or Georgia home boy .
Keep the Earth’s surface clean from dust and dirt that can scratch the polyurethane ; otherwise , those particles can dig into it and wear it down . A even sweeping should be enough . If it look past its prime , apply a bit of floor wax to help restore some shine on the open .
FAQs
All this new selective information about choosing the best water - based polyurethane may have uncovered some newfangled questions . In the keep up surgical incision , we provide compact resolution to some of the most vulgar questions that crop up about water - based polyurethan .
Q. How many coats of water-based polyurethane should I use?
Most expert and polyurethane manufacturing business recommend three coat of water - based polyurethane at lower limit . Some users may choose to apply four coat , but this could direct to pot of sanding and extended solidifying times .
Q. Do I need to sand between coats of water-based polyurethane?
Many of the good polyurethane for floor require sanding between coating . Use 220 - grit sandpaper , and scavenge the trading floor exhaustively between coats . It ’s best to sweep , vacuum , and use a tack fabric to remove any sandpaper debris .
Q. How long does it take for water-based polyurethane to dry on hardwood floors?
Most water system - based polyurethanes take between 2 and 4 time of day to dry between coat . Full curative depends on the intersection , but it can take from 24 60 minutes to 21 day . Be sure to check each mathematical product ’ command for a definitive solvent .
Q. Can I use a roller to apply polyurethane?
Yes , but the tumbler pigeon binding must be tranquil to utilize the polyurethane uniformly . Any hard - to - grasp areas will still require brushing , as the roller may be too big to go or its round shape may not reach all the way into inside street corner .
Q. Is water-based or oil-based polyurethane better for floors?
Both types of polyurethane piece of work well for flooring , with a few remainder . Water - based polyurethane dry rapidly and ooze fewer fumes . However , oil - based polyurethanes last longer and take less maintenance .
This Is the Year for a Kitchen Renovation
Whether you ’re selling or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . Learn why we consider this redevelopment the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to delay on budget .
Photo: amazon.com
Photo: amazon.com
Photo: amazon.com
