Guide to Polyurethane Floor Finishes - Part 2

Investing in a new wooden floor or planning a renovation project for your favourite one? Learn more about one of the most popular wood floor finishes - polyurethane finish.

The Difference Between Different Sheen Levels of Polyurethane Finish

Generally speaking, the whole scale of polyurethane finishes according to sheen starts with high-gloss as the one that reflects light the most, continues with semi-gloss, satin, and matte at the other side of the spectrum. The way different polyurethane finishes are determined by the way each of them reflects light. The sheen level of every finish does not necessarily determine the quality of the finish and its hard-wearing and long-lasting power.

However, it is sometimes assumed the sheen has something to do with quality. It happens because high-gloss finishes are not the best at camouflaging micro-scratches, dents, and other smaller imperfections, therefore they tend to look worn sooner after application. Therefore, it is recommended for households with busier lifestyle, pets, and even young children, to choose satin or matte polyurethane finish in order to avoid the finish starting to look worn and tired in no time due to the high traffic. 

Matte Polyurethane

Matte finishes have a very low sheen or lustre and virtually no light reflection. Matte polyurethane finish has been the trendies option for several years already, creating a very interesting and unique effect no matter the wood species the floor is made out of and it's colour. Matte ensures a very different texture than what we are used to. However, keep in mind that matte is not everyone's cup of tea, so check out enough samples before you make a final choice. 

Satin Polyurethane

Satin comes after matte on the sheen spectrum and ensures slightly more lustre compared to matte, but nothing as significant and dramatic as high-gloss, for example. Satin finish happens to be among the most popular choices for both domestic and commercial settings. The satin finish is very easy to maintain and keep in good condition for longer because it is good at camouflaging scratches, dirt and other imperfections.

At the same time, the slight sheen of satin finish adds a twist of elegance and sophistication to the floor. The satin finish is right at the median point of the sheen spectrum and it takes the best from both worlds. In addition, this low-lustre finish option enhances the natural beauty of the floor and its texture without taking all the attention as a high-gloss finish does. 

Semi-Gloss Polyurethane

The next polyurethane finish option on the lustre scale you can choose from is semi-gloss. As the name suggests, semi-gloss has the ability to reflect the light, however, it is not as much as it will be with a high-gloss finish. Commonly, semi-gloss will be the shiniest option most people would like to go for. It adds a lot of style, elegance, sophistication to the floor. Unlike high-gloss finish, semi-gloss is a bit easier to maintain in good condition for longer. It is clear and beautiful, however, it tends to show scratches and other imperfections easily. Therefore, we recommend you to choose it for all those areas of the house that won't experience too much high traffic and everyday usage. The oil-based polyurethane option of the semi-gloss finish is slightly shinier than the water bourn option. 

High-Gloss Polyurethane

As the name of this finish option suggests, high-gloss is the finish option that reflects light the most. Unfortunately, it is also the finish option that shows all imperfections, even the finest micro ones the most. The upkeep of a high-gloss polyurethane finish tends to be the most complex and difficult. Why some people choose it then? Well, only a high-gloss finish can look so elegant, sophisticated, and stylish, adding a lot of uniqueness and a distinctive atmosphere to every interior. Wood floors finished with a high-gloss polyurethane finish are definitely the focal point and statement piece of every room. The high-gloss finish looks best with darker and exotic wood species, adding a more dramatic effect. If you are a fan of this look, make sure to choose it for areas that do not experience high traffic

Which Is the Most Durable Polyurethane Finish Option?

When it comes to durability, the dilemma is between oil-based and water bourn polyurethane finishes. In general, the oil-based polyurethane option is considered to be the more durable, long-lasting, and hard-wearing one. Therefore, it is often the better option for high-traffic and busier areas of the house. Keep in mind that the quality, durability, and longevity of the polyurethane finishes are not determined by the sheen.