- 1). Look for wood floor finishes that contain higher levels of urethane. This means the finish will be more durable, but you should expect to pay more. The options include water-based urethane, oil-modified urethane and moisture-cured urethane.
- 2). Research the pros and cons for water-based urethane, oil-modified urethane and moisture-cured urethane. Water-based types dry quickly and are non-flammable but aren't as durable. Oil-modified types need less coats but are flammable. Moisture-cured types are the most durable and also dry quickly, but they are the most flammable and can blister.
- 3). Find out the benefits and drawbacks of Swedish finishes. This type of wood floor finish dries very quickly and offers a lot of durability. The drawbacks are that it can be hard to apply, is flammable and may contain formaldehyde, which means only a professional can apply it.
- 4). Check out some oil finishes to help you compare your options. This type of finish has a simple application process and also makes repair work a breeze. However, it does not offer the same durability as other wood floor options.
- 5). Pay attention to the color of the wood floor finishes you're comparing. Some are opaque with a deep, rich color, while others are translucent with a hint of color. However, some, like Swedish finishes, are only available as a transparent option.
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