Oil-Based Varnish Stands Up Better

Question: In my 6 year-old house, the hardwood floors are already in need of refinishing. They are badly worn, scratched and a general mess. They were treated with several coats of a water-based polyurethane varnish. I know I have to have them sanded and refinished, but is there a coating that would stand up to the wear and tear better than mine did in just six years?

Answer: Sure is. It’s called oil-based polyurethane varnish. Have the refinishers apply at least three coats of this stuff to your sanded floors. While oil-based varnish will stand up to wear and tear better than water-based varnish, it will still be vulnerable to scratching, so I suggest you put down area rugs to prevent this, and put rubber crutch cups on the legs of tables and chairs that are not on carpets. Admittedly, the newer water-based polyurethane varnish is easy to clean, safer for the environment and works beautifully on woodwork and furniture, but you need to put up to seven coats on a floor. Where is the progress in that? Sometimes old is not old-fashioned. I am also whistling in the dark, because eventually all oil-based materials will be banned.

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