Best Water Based Polyurethanes for Floors – Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

When it comes to finishing or refurbishing your floors, the quality and type of finish matter a lot.

I can say that Bona Mega Floor Finishis the best overall poly you can get.

Furthermore, this article will help you decide on the best fit for your needs by discussing the best water-based polyurethanes for floors and why it would make sense to use them in place of oil-based ones.

Best Water Based Polyurethanes for Floors in May, 2021

Here are the best water-based polyurethanes for floors you can find.

1. Bona Mega Wood Floor Finish – Top Choice for Floors

Bona Mega is a mid-grade water-based polyurethane regarded for wood floor finish. This is a perfect brand for customers who are on a low budget. This poly gives users the intended outcome. This is an oxygen-crosslinking pole made with a well-verified formula to deliver extraordinary performance. The crosslinker used is the oxygen present in the atmosphere.

The product is available in satin, gloss and semi-gloss. There are no additives to the mix. Thus, it enhances the natural wood color to show the natural beauty of the wood. Also, Bona Mega doesn’t have a limited pot life and no wasted finish too.

Proven quality

This product has been tested and proven to perform accurately and meet the value of standards in the industry. Also, Bona Mega is approved in terms of volatile organic compounds. One gallon of this poly covers approximately 600 sq ft.

It refinishes the floor amazingly to give your floor a great look. For best results, this poly works well when applied in three coats with sand in between. At first coat, the floor is still rough but after the second and the third coat the floor looks and feel perfectly smooth. The floor gets hard and ready to use within a few days.

The directions of using Bona Mega are easy to follow and obtain the intended results. Even on high traffic floors, this poly produces results. It is, however, advisable to apply it on a warm or humid day. While applying the poly, you should be wearing socks as shoes will leave permanent marks on the floor. The poly produces nearly zero odor, and your pets are safe around the floor even immediately after application. In this regard, people with breathing problems can apply the poly successfully without any difficulties throughout the process.

2. Bona Mega Clear HD – Great to Boost Look of Your Floor

This is a high-end poly from Bona. It is highly regarded for its ability to meet the various demands regarding the performance and appearance of floors. Bona Mega clear HD is available in satin. This poly is of incredible value as it is made from a tested and verified formula to give the clients great waterborne poly. This poly is made of chemical resistant products which increase scratch resistance. It does not have an amber tint and thus, doesn’t produce a yellow coloring on your floor after some time.

The poly is virtually odorless and non-flammable. 1 gallon of the poly covers an area of up to 600 sq ft. As noted in the label, this coating should not be applied in extremely low or high temperature or rooms with high humidity.

Great clarity

Just like other Bona products, Bona Mega HD has an unlimited pot life and does not have a wasted finish. It has an exceptional build and clarity to enhance the appearance of your floor in an incredible way. During application, the flow and leveling characteristics of this poly are excellent. It dries fast in approximately two or three hours at most. It takes a maximum of one week to cure completely.

3. Minwax Water Based Oil-Modified Poly – Ultra-Fast Drying Coat

Minwax Polyurethane is a protective that is crystal clear, ultra-fast drying protective top coat for interior wood. It is recommended for use on interior wood surfaces such as doors, paneling, trim, cabinets, furniture and sure floors. This coating cleans up easily with warm water and soap. This coating is fit for use on bare wood in both oil-based and waterborne stains.

It can be recoated in as little time as two hours as it has little volatile organic compounds. Compared to traditional solvents based polyurethanes, this Minwax product has a low odor, dries fast, and is crystal clear. Besides, protecting the natural beauty of the wood surface, it adds on to the beauty of the wood.

Oil-Modified Durability

Minwax Polyurethane is available in gloss, semi-gloss, and satin sheens. All these finishes provide a durable cover with a more luxurious look for the wood. This poly works best if applied in three coats. The best application tools to ensure the right results include; foam brush, synthetic bristle brush, or a lambswool applicator.

The surface of the application should be dry and free from any foreign materials. Sanding the surface is recommended to obtain a uniformly smooth surface. After sanding, clean the surface and wait for it to dry. Then, apply the poly while following the instructions and guidelines.

While coating a hardwood floor, it is recommended to a synthetic pad for application to avoid leaving marks on the floor. To get full durability of the coating, it is recommended to avoid heavy traffic on the floor within 72 hours of application.

4. ZAR Aqua Water Based Poly– Combination of Beauty and Durability

The poly dries fast, has a low odor and is made with a verified formula to resist reaction with most household chemicals thus protecting the floor and furniture from abrasion, scuffing, and other damages. This poly brings out the best from wood in terms of beauty and durability, unlike other conventional waterborne polys. Furthermore, it meets all the industry environmental standards as it has notably low emission of solvent vapor.

Good Choice for Exotic Woods

Aqua Zar polyurethane is recommended for use on the interior surfaces only. It is, however, child safe when dry. This poly is desirable for use on exotic wood species such as Teak, Brazilian walnut and plenty more. It is made with full compliance with the volatile organic compounds rules and regulations. After application, it is advisable to refrain from touching the equipment for two hours to avoid leaving unpleasant marks on the furniture.

If you had an experience of unpleasant yellowing after applying a poly, Aqua Zar is the poly to try out now. This product is packed in a quart. One quart of Aqua Zar covers an area of up to 125 sq ft. It should be applied in properly ventilated moves while utilizing gas masks to prevent oneself from the harmful vapors emitted from the solvent used.

5. Deft Water-Based Poly – Great Both for Interior and Exterior

This polyurethane is highly regarded for use on the interior and the exterior surfaces as well. It is available in gloss finish. It is a water-based poly modified with urethane to provide added protection against sun rays, water, and wind damage.

This poly is made from an advanced formula and contains Ultra-violet absorber and inhibitors to offer excellent protection against the damaging effects of sun and water. It is an ideal poly for stained as well as bare wood surfaces such as a door, interior and exterior floors, furniture, cabinets, and plenty more.

Both Interior and Exterior

Deft interior/ exterior polyurethane has proven greater durability than oil-based polyurethanes. It is carefully formulated to meet the volatile organic compounds and environmental regulations for low odor emissions. It is made of 100% urethane formulated with advanced waterborne oil modified polyurethane technology to produce a clear protective coating. For exterior surfaces, it provides excellent weather-resistance and enhances durability.

1-quart container of this gloss finish can cover an area of up to 125 sq ft. Using a polyurethane applicator is recommended to get great and fast coverage. It does not produce a yellowing effect after drying up, and it’s non-toxic when it dries up. The coat dries within two hours after application, and it is ready for recoat to produce excellent results. After drying up, the coat is crystal clear, performs exactly as intended, and is easy to clean up using water.

Buyer’s guide

Polyurethanes are the coatings used to protect your floor from damage. Conventionally, three layers of this kind of finish are needed to ensure the longevity of the coating and protection of the floor. The type and brand you use for coating your floor are of crucial importance. It determines how long the coating will last.

Finally, the choice on whether to choose listed brands depends on your budget, the type of wood used on your floor, as well as the look of the color choice you want.

Water-based or Oil-Based

The decision on whether to use water-based or oil-based polyurethane depends on the result you want to obtain from the finishing. The water-based polyurethane is preferred to provide clear results when reducing the drying duration and lower odor while applying the poly.

In the past, oil-based polyurethanes were more common compared to water-based polys. However, the situation has changed recently.

Contrary to the perception of many people, water-based polyurethanes are super durable too and at times more durable than the oil-based ones. This is due to the fact that producers and research centers keep on testing and improving the formula of making these finishes and particularly water-based. As a result, improved water-based polyurethanes have been developed with great added advantages which should make you consider using them for your floor.

To highlight a few quick tips, the best water-based polyurethanes should cost less than the oil-based but still as durable, should cure easily, smell less, and look the best.

The following are the factors to consider while buying the water-based polyurethane.

Smell

If the smell is a significant concern, especially for people with breathing problems, you should consider a brand that fully complies with VOC and environmental standards. Also, you should consider proper ventilation while applying the polys.

Curing time

Water-borne polyurethane is highly regarded as the dry fast and allow you to use your furniture within a few days after application. For high traffic floors and heavily used furniture, polys with ultra-fast drying speed should be considered.

Cost

When on a low budget, Bona Mega Polyurethane should be considered as it is highly effective and comes at a low price. However, the product has excellent results.

Look

For a table top, as well as other exterior coatings polyurethanes with a no-yellowing effect, should be applied.

Durability

Polyurethanes formulated with an advanced formula such as the Deft interior/exterior poly should be used as they have enhanced components to prevent the wood from damage including the weather-related damages.

Ease of cleaning

This is a crucial factor to consider regarding the surface you want to finish. For surfaces that require regular cleaning polys with ease of cleaning should be applied.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Water-Based Polyurethane Good For Floors?

Water-based polyurethane coatings can be used to enhance the lifespan of any wooden item, and that includes flooring. In fact, you could use polyurethane for non-wooden floors as well. The water-based polyurethanes are the most common choice for floor jobs, and there are two primary reasons for that fact.

First, water-based coatings will usually dry faster than their oil-based counterparts. When doing floors, the dry time is a real inconvenience because it cuts off access to entire areas of your home. Thus, a shorter drying time is really helpful. As a second upside, polyurethane coatings have a lighter appearance that will not alter the color or grain of the wood.

Is Water-Based Or Oil-Based Polyurethane Better For Floors?

In most cases, the water-based polyurethane will be your best choice, but this is not an absolute rule. We say this because water-based poly will give you the same results in less time. Also, oil-based finishes tend to be more expensive, as they are often made of organic oils processed from various plants. Obviously, water is always going to be cheaper than oil.

An oil-based finish is smoother, slicker, and shinier. For a floor surface, this is probably not the way to go. A surface like this will present an increased risk of slips and falls. If this area is trafficked by the public, it could even expose you to legal liabilities. Thus, I would generally recommend the water-based polyurethane for a floor job.

Do You Need To Sand Between Coats Of Water-Based Polyurethane?

There are differing opinions on this subject, but the labels of most water-based polyurethane products will recommend sanding between coats. Once the first coat has dried fully, you should take some very fine-grit sandpaper and give the surface a little rubbing. This is meant to provide a little bit of traction that helps the next layer to adhere.

The important thing to remember here is that you don’t remove any more material than necessary. A single coat of polyurethane is not very thick, and it doesn’t take a lot of effort to sand through to the bare wood. This danger is especially present when doing the first coating. Use light strokes and fine sandpaper to ensure you don’t go too far.

How Long Does It Take For Water-Based Polyurethane To Dry On Hardwood Floors?

When refinishing your floors with a product of this type, you might as well allocate an entire day for drying time. While the conditions of your environment will affect drying times to a certain extent, you don’t want to risk ruining your work by using the floor too soon.

Always consult the label of your polyurethane product for more specific information, as drying times will vary a lot from one product to the next. In general, though, you can expect to wait 24 hours or more before the coating is fully cured.

Right now, you might be groaning at the prospect of not being able to walk on your floors for the next 24 hours. Luckily for you, things aren’t quite that bad. Most clear-coat products will dry to the touch within 4-6 hours, even though they will not have cured yet. This means that they will be hard enough to touch without ruination, but will not yet have reached their maximum hardness. Still, I would strongly recommend that you disallow shoes, bare feet, and animal paws on the freshly-coated surface.

How Often Should I Refinish My Wood Floors?

Because the polyurethane finish represents the main barrier between your floors and the outside world, you can expect that they will take some damage over time. As such, you will need to touch-up or replace the finish once in a while. How often are we talking here? That’s where we find good news. You will only need to do this job once every 7-10 years, and you may not even need to do it that often.

The whole question hinges on the amount of wear and tear that your floors receive. For instance, floors in little-used areas are going to last longer than the floor in a heavily-trafficked hallway. Floors that get wet more often (like the places near your doors) are also not going to last as long before they need refinishing.

Can You Use A Roller To Apply Polyurethane?

While most people choose to use a paintbrush to apply their poly-coatings, you can also choose to use a roller. In fact, this is a great option because it eliminates the problem of brush strokes. If you choose to use a roller, make sure that you begin by dampening the roller with some mineral spirits.

It is far easier to get a smooth and uniform stroke from a roller, but they are only well suited for large surfaces. You can’t really do small jobs with a roller, and it isn’t so good for non-flat surfaces. For flooring, however, a roller brush is an ideal choice that can save you a lot of time and irritation.

Conclusion

Water-based polyurethanes are as effective and durable as oil borne polys. They, however, provide a lighter and a clearer color impact on wood as opposed to the yellow coloring effect by the oil-based polys. Also, they dry faster and cures faster. Water-based polyurethanes smells less and dissipates faster while complying with environmental and volatile organic compound regulations. They are better for maple natural, white spots, and gray finishes.