Protective Floor Finishes

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Niagara Floor Refinishing takes pride in being the premier hardwood floor refinishing contractor in the Niagara region, setting a benchmark for unparalleled excellence and craftsmanship. At Niagara Floor Refinishing, we understand that achieving exceptional results requires a perfect blend of state-of-the-art floor sanding machinery, premium-quality finishes, and an unwavering commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. That’s why we exclusively rely on the finest products available from renowned, industry-leading brands—many of which have been selling their floor finishes since the early 1900’s. With a proven track record of excellence, we take pride in delivering outstanding results and would be delighted to restore your floors to their original brilliance.

We offer oil-based, waterborne, one-component (1K), two-component (2K) and ceramic-fortified floor finishes as the top-of-the-line protective coatings from Germany. Quality and prices vary with each product.

PROTECTIVE FLOOR FINISHES

Here’s a comparison of waterborne and oil-based wood floor finishes, listing their pros and cons:

Waterborne Wood Floor Finishes

Pros:

  1. Fast Drying Time:

    • Typically dry in 2-4 hours, allowing multiple coats in a day.

  2. Low Odour:

    • Emit fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making it more pleasant to work with and better for indoor air quality.

  3. Clear Finish:

    • Provide a natural look, maintaining the wood’s original color without yellowing over time.

  4. Durability:

    • Offer excellent abrasion resistance and is suitable for high-traffic areas.

  5. Eco- and Human-Friendly:

    • Lower VOC emissions make it more environmentally friendly. Most have some sort of a green certification making them safe for use in child care centres and hospitals, unlike oil-based finishes. Recommended for homes with children, pets, people with allergies, etc.

Cons:

  1. Higher Cost:

    • Much more expensive than oil-based finishes, 2x the cost for one-component, 3x for two-component waterborne vs. oil-based.

  2. Application Sensitivity:

    • Require careful application, as it can show brush or roller marks if not applied properly.

  3. Shorter Working Time:

    • Dry quickly, making it less forgiving for adjustments during application.

  4. Less Depth in Appearance:

    • Waterborne is clear, not yellow and some home owners prefer the amber, warmer look of oil-based finishes.

Oil-Based Wood Floor Finishes

Pros:

  1. Rich, Warm Appearance:

    • Enhance wood grain and gives a traditional amber hue that deepens over time.

  2. Lower Cost:

    • Much less expensive than waterborne, as low as a 1/3 of the cost of waterborne per gallon.

  3. Longer Working Time:

    • Dry more slowly, giving more time for even application and corrections.

  4. Thicker Coating:

    • Usually require fewer coats to achieve a durable finish, 2 coats of oil vs. 3 of waterborne.

Cons:

  1. Long Drying Time:

    • Can take 8-24 hours to dry between coats, slowing the project timeline.

  2. High Odour:

    • Strong fumes and higher VOC emissions can be unpleasant and require good ventilation for several days.

  3. Yellowing Over Time:

    • The amber tone continues to darken, which may not suit all aesthetic preferences.

  4. Environmental Impact:

    • Higher VOC emissions make it less eco-friendly. If a lived-in house, not recommended to use oil-based for its lingering smells.