Oil Based vs. Water Based
Learn the key differences between these two types of polyurethane finishes.
When it comes to these two types of polyurethane finishes, a lot of consumers are unsure what the difference is between them. While they are both intended to protect your floor from everyday wear-and-tear, they have many distinct characteristics.
The Look
Water based finishes have a more natural look and the clear finish really highlights the natural beauty of hardwood. Whereas oil based finishes have an amber hue that darkens the appearance of the wood and continues to deepen in color over time.
The Protection
Water based poly provides a harder finish but it is more likely to scratch. Oil based poly is a softer finish that makes it scratch resistant but it is more prone to denting than its water based counterpart.
The Cost
Water based poly is the more expensive option.
The Best Choice?
There really is no better finish here; the best choice comes down to your personal preference. Here’s some help from the Home Flooring Pro’s to inform your decision:
“Water based polyurethane: If you want your floor to stay the same color, choose water-based polyurethane. Wood that is gray, white or light looks better with a clear coat, i.e., a water based finish. Woods with a hint of yellow in them already, such as pine, fir and ash, become even yellower with an oil-based finish. Go with water based poly if that’s a look you want to avoid, or choose an oil based finish to enhance it.
Oil based polyurethane: Darker wood tones are enriched by an amber hue and an oily sheen. Oil based polyurethane can bring out the vibrant color in red oak, cherry or exotic woods like teak.”
Contact us today if you would like some more information on which finish will be best for your home, or visit our showroom to see the two finishes in-person - we are happy to help you make this important decision!
It's Not too Late for a Winter Makeover
The top two reasons why winter is a great time to schedule your hardwood flooring job. Plus, check out 2020 hardwood trends!
Did the arrival of winter catch you off guard? You’re not alone. With the early beginning to snowy days and chilly temperatures, your Fall checklist might have gotten lost in the shuffle. If getting a buff and coat, sanding and refinishing, or replacing old carpet with hardwood floors was on your to-do list, we are here to tell you that it’s still okay to schedule a hardwood makeover in the cold winter months!
When the holiday season hits, it can be hard to imagine having construction done in your home, but there are several reasons why this might actually be the perfect time.
You’re gone a lot! You don’t need to be around the noise and smells that come with in-home construction. If you’re planning to be out of town for a few days around the holidays or in January, you can be confident in having our team complete the job while you are away.
We reduce the mess. We know that adding dust to your home when it closed up in the winter doesn’t sound great, but we go above and beyond when we plastic off our work zone in an effort to keep the rest of your home as clean as possible.
Maybe the hustle and bustle of the holiday season isn’t what’s holding you back from scheduling your hardwood flooring job. Perhaps you just don’t know what you want yet! We get it. Hardwood flooring is something that will last decades, so you want to select something that you will love forever. That’s tough to do when home trends change so much. Check out this video for upcoming flooring trends in 2020, and you can also ask our team at your free in-home estimate what would work best in your home.
If you’re ready to start your hardwood flooring winter makeover, give us a call today or submit an estimate request form. We cannot wait to transform your home!
Perfectly Imperfect
Learn about the small “imperfections” you may see in your finished floor that will disappear as the finish settles.
One thing we always tell homeowners when we finish their hardwood flooring project is to give their floors time to mature. What we mean by that is it is very common for your hardwood floors to have some temporary, minor “imperfections”, and they are not cause for alarm! It is just part of the flooring process .
Possible Imperfections After Final Finish
To help you understand and prepare for some possible “flaws” that you might see on your finished flooring, here is a list of what to possible expect and to understand is completely normal!
Blemishes & Debris. Settling resins can exaggerate the appearance of blemishes in the early stages of a floor’s life. Any small debris (i.e., tiny, airborne particles) can refract light more during this time. Rest assured - almost all blemishes disappear completely as the finish sets.
Uneven Sheen. Many factors can contribute to an uneven sheen. Dramatic factors such as humidity, temperature, and varying wood species’ composition can make the application process tricky. As with color differentiation, sheen variation will more than likely even out over time.
Screen Marks, Brush Strokes & Abrasions. Minor screen or brush marks may remain slightly visible during the initial drying phases. Likewise; small underlying abrasions may seem almost painfully obvious at first. Take a deep breath! As the finish sets, resins tighten across the wood and many of these marks will all but disappear during the process.
The overall point is to save yourself unnecessary stress and concern over the quality of your floor’s finish. Think of these small “imperfections” like a small cut or blemish on your arm - it will fade quickly and eventually disappear entirely!
How to Inspect Your New Floor
When inspecting your new hardwood floor, remember to do so from a standing position with normal lighting. Glare from windows will magnify any irregularity and can cause unnecessary alarm. These standards are set forth by the National Wood Flooring Association in the NWFA Hardwood Floor Manual and are observed as the standard for practice across the industry.
Hardwood flooring comes from nature, and that means that no two boards are the same and no job will look like another, and that’s what makes this product so special!
Team Work Makes the Dream Work
Without a well functioning team, we would not be able to deliver the best hardwood floors in the industry. Learn more about the team work behind every job we do.
At Duane’s Floor Service, any hardwood job we touch is a team effort. Our team is built start-to-finish to bring you the best customer service experience and the most beautiful floors on the block. So, what does the process with Duane’s look like?
Let’s start with your first touch point - Neva. Neva is one of the company owners and is the magic in the office. From guiding customers to the best hardwood choice for them (trust her, she has almost all of them in her house!), to scheduling, invoicing, and problem solving - she truly wears all the hats.
Our wonderful owners, Troy & Neva Gullickson
When you schedule an estimate, we have a rotating team who will come to your home, measure your project, and discuss your options. We encourage all potential customers to ask any question you might have about your hardwood project, our company, and how we will work together to provide you with an experience that you cannot find with any other hardwood flooring company.
Now we get to work. Whether you are getting an entirely new floor installed, refinishing existing floors, or repairing some unsightly damage, we are dedicated to working hard. Staying on schedule and delivering flawless hardwood floors is the mission we set out to accomplish every day.
Sam and Mike hard at work!
Happy customers who are beyond excited to invite their neighbors over to show them their new floors is the greatest gift we receive as a company. Our ultimate goal is a happy customer, and none of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication that our team brings to the jobsite every single day.
So, thank you to our customers and thank you to our team. We couldn’t do what we do without you.