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The finish you choose for your hardwood floor has a big impact on how it looks and how well it stands up to everyday wear and tear. We've broken down the two most common finish options and their advantages.
Choosing the right hardwood finish
A surface finish is added to hardwood floors as a protective coating and the type of finish has an impact on its appearance and durability. Surface finishes are durable, water-resistant and make regular maintenance simple. When choosing the type of finish for your wood floors consider your lifestyle and cleaning preferences. While many manufacturers prefinish their hardwood floors, you will sometimes still have a choice between oil-based and water-based finishes. What's the difference?Oil-based hardwood finish
The most common wood floor finish is polyurethane - technically polyurethane-modified oil.Advantages:
- Adds color - darkening dark woods and adding an amber affect to light woods
- Enhances the natural grain
- Satin finishes are available for a natural look that shows less wear and tear
- Provides a substantial build on the floor that gives a rich depth to the wood

Water-based hardwood finish
Water-based finishes are clear, very durable and will resist turning yellow over time.Advantages:
- Lets the natural color of the wood shine through
- Will not discolor or yellow over time
- More environmentally friendly
- Good stain resistance