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It’s a great question. What are the very best types of timber floor coating for my solid timber floor here in Australia?

There are several main types of timber floor coating, and these are divided into three groups.

Firstly, waterborne polyurethane, followed by solvent-based polyurethane, and then hard wax oils with the subcategory of hybrid oils.

To understand the differences, we’ve just put this article together just to make it very easy for you to understand what you need.

Waterborne Floor Coatings

Let’s look first at waterborne polyurethane. Waterborne polyurethane is a type of heavy-duty plastic coating that is low VOC, retains the original timber tones, and has very good wear resistance. This is not true of every type of waterborne coating; some of them are quite low in durability, but if you select from the heavy-duty coatings that are used in the flooring industry, such as Bona, Intergrain, or Siegel, you are going to get a very nice product.

Solvent Based Coatings

The second area is solvent-based coatings, or solvent-based polyurethane, which is the original old-fashioned, high-gloss in most instances, protective plastic layer which has excellent chemical resistance and usually is in a gloss or a satin finish. These are the coatings that have excellent chemical resistance; they yellow as they age, and again, if you choose from the heavy-duty varieties such as Polycure, you will have an excellent coating.

Hardwax Oils

Hard wax oils are finishes that have been around for many decades, and these penetrate the wood, working from within the wood to protect the wood. These are a blend of several oils and waxes, and because it’s a blend, it can provide high strength. Among these, Osmo Hard Wax Oils from Germany are the most durable option. It is also a low odor finish with low VOC’s. Because it is a natural finish it offers a much more natural look. And it’s based on natural oils and natural waxes.

Hybrid Oil Style

There is a subcategory of oils that contain some urethane in the formulation; this is because they are not naturally heavy-duty, and therefore some urethane is added into the coating to give it extra durability. So it’s basically like a cross between hard wax oil and a polyurethane coating. These offer nice durability but don’t have the repairability of a coating like Osmo Hard Wax Oil.

So why might you choose a waterborne coating?

You would use a waterborne coating if you want to avoid volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. That is, these coatings are much better for the environment and release less solvents. You would also choose a waterborne coating if you wanted to preserve a very light color in the floor. So when you coat with a waterborne coating, you have the opportunity to use a waterborne sealer and coating, and these waterborne sealers will keep the floor much lighter than other types of coating. They also have excellent durability. Recent formulations, especially the two-pack varieties, have excellent scratch resistance and last much longer, and they look very good. You can get a waterborne coating in gloss, satin, and matte. Not everybody offers a two-pack in all three gloss levels, but you can get an excellent finish.

Why would you choose a solvent-based polyurethane finish?

You would choose a solvent-based polyurethane for a much fuller-looking finish and for excellent chemical resistance. They do contain reasonably high levels of VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, which need to evaporate, and therefore you have a stronger odor during application and, technically, a longer cure time, although they have definitely got better over time. These are excellent coatings when you want a gloss level and a very full-looking finish, and you need chemical resistance. So, for example, in many commercial areas, you might choose a solvent-based coating, especially if it’s going to be subjected to lots of different chemicals. The gloss level is really the big thing with solvent-based coatings. You do get the highest gloss level available. You can achieve almost a glass-like appearance, and some people love that effect. If you’re comfortable with the longer drying period and you appreciate a high-gloss look, then solvent-based coatings remain a very good choice, and we recommend the Polycure range, which is outstanding.

What about hard wax oils and their hybrid variants?

The hard wax oil is a penetrating natural finish based on natural oils and waxes. Unlike film-forming coatings previously mentioned, a hard wax oil soaks into the wood fibers, enhances the grain, and gives a much more natural, non-plastic feel. There is some color deepening as the hard wax oil penetrates the timber, which is a natural effect, but it does look outstanding without needing to have the plastic sheen of a solvent-based polyurethane. And if you’re using a hard wax oil from the Osmo range, you will have low maintenance because scratches can be treated by applying a little additional oil, therefore extending the floor’s life. As there are always areas inside the home that are higher traffic and therefore need maintenance, it’s good if you can just repair that area rather than needing to re-sand the entire floor, which is a real advantage to the Osmo range. It offers low odor and is a natural oils and natural wax coating.

There are hybrid sub-varieties of hard wax oils, and again, these are not hard wax oils in the sense that Osmo is, but they are an attempt to produce a coating that has that look while at the same time adding in a level of plastic or urethane to achieve a subdued look without using the expensive oils and waxes that go into an Osmo product. These coatings do have good durability; they just don’t have the same level of repairability that you would have with an Osmo coating. It’s just not possible to achieve that.

So we at VCS recommend Osmo Hard Wax Oil because of its durability. It’s an authentic, non-plastic-looking finish, and unlike hybrid products that attempt to mimic the look but fall short of genuinely penetrating the floor, these products offer real benefits.

So how do you choose the coating that’s right for you?

Well, it’s good to step back and take a look at your lifestyle. You may have pets, children, high foot traffic. These are all considerations. Do you prefer a natural, warm look, or do you want a glossy floor, or do you want a simple, light-looking floor? What about health and the environment? Again, for good indoor air quality concerns, waterborne products and Osmo Hard Wax Oils need to be considered.

So, it’s always good to come in and talk to a team here at VCS who have over 100 years of combined experience in the timber flooring community.

Hopefully, this discussion has given you a good amount to think about when you consider your next timber floor option.