Oil Vs Water Based Polyurethane Durability

The biggest difference is in appearance.

Oil vs water based polyurethane durability. However if you are using a top notch brand such as bona traffic hd this is not true in this case they are equally as durable. It also has a clear finish that has a lasting effect although most of the time it is shorter than oil based ones. There is no discernible difference in how long they last. There is no contest on the durability between the 2 options.

High quality water based polyurethanes is considered by many homeowners flooring professionals to be equally durable. Some manufacturers even use special aluminium oxide formula to make it extremely durable but the material itself is always applied in a thinner layer. A well engineered water based polyurethane will be equal in clarity to oil based polyurethane. Today the differences are fairly minor.

Oil based used to be unquestionably more durable. Water based polyurethane has lower voc s which is a bit of an environmental benefit more about that in a moment but because it has lower voc s volatile organic compounds it doesn t last as long. The main difference is usually color. Oil based polyurethane water based and oil based polyurethane each offer good protection.

Polyurethane is actually the most durable hardwood. That is because most water borne polyurethanes are inferior. Oil based poly can last around 10 years. This is ideal if you want the natural color of your wood to remain constant.

The addition of urethane to water based finishes makes it tougher and more resistant to scratches. Oil based material has lesser durability but thicker structure. Also professionally finished floors should feel satiny smooth whether the finish is oil or water based. Oil based finishes were once more durable but the new generation of water based polyurethane is remarkably hard and long lasting.

Oil based polyurethane lasts longer than water based. Water based polyurethane has all the benefits of the oil based ones but it dries a lot faster and the odor is not as distinct. There used to be distinct differences between water and oil based polyurethanes when it came to durability. Oil vs water based polyurethane in general most flooring professionals will tell you that oil based polyurethane is more durable than water borne poly.

Water based finish on the other hand is more durable. Today though water based polyurethane has evolved with better formulations that are equally durable as oil based polyurethane. Oil based poly will be slightly more resistant to scratches moisture and heat when compared with water based poly.