When it comes to protecting your wood floors there is no stronger finish than varnish. In professional circles, varnish is also referred to as lacquer. It will not only protect your floor but also give it a beautiful finished look. Additionally, it is a great sealant that will extend the overall life span of your wood floor. There are two main types of varnish; water-based and oil-based.
Water-Based Varnish
Most commonly used on wood floors in this day and age, a water-based varnish offers a variety of benefits compared to an oil-based varnish.
Water Based Varnishes Vs. Oil Based Varnishes
brighton-terrace-bar-floor-sandingEnvironmentally friendly. Unlike oil, water is actually good for the environment so a water-based lacquer is less damaging to Mother Earth.
Dries quickly. This is a great feature as it allows us to apply more than one coat in a day and expedites the entire wood floor restoration project. No toxic fumes. The lack of smell is great, especially if you have pets or small children in your house.
Overall, these advantages over oil-based varnish are the reason that water-based lacquer is used on most floor restoration jobs. With that said, oil-based varnishes still have a few benefits and will be preferable in certain circumstances.
Oil-Based Varnish
The more traditional oil-based varnish has been around for years and is considered to be more durable than the water-based lacquer. You would probably want to use an oil-based finish such as this if you prefer a darker look to your wood floor. Water-based varnish tends to leave a lighter, country-style look so if you want to go darker then an oil-based varnish may give you the look you desire.
Whether you choose to go with the traditional oil or the modern water-based varnish, just know that you will be getting a finish that will protect your floor for years to come. The team at GJP Floor Sanding London will be here to help you every step of the way, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
We should note that regardless of the sealant you choose (wax, oil or varnish), you will need to select a sheen to go with it. The more common sheens include matte, satin and gloss. A matte sheen will have less shine to it while the gloss will have a sunglass worthy shine. The durability of the sealant is not affected by the sheen so the level of shine is strictly a personal choice.
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