This article really helped me to make a decision because we’ll be replacing our current flooring very soon (what a waste of money–wish I would have known THEN what I know now!). This finish is designed specifically for quartersawn white oak. This worked great u tests, but in actual application, the floor finished did not wipe it off enough, and got the finishing done quickly with a water based floor finish (Loba). I have to honest with you that no flooring is perfect and like life, it’s always about trade-offs. White Oak is a closed-grain wood with many of its pores plugged with Tyloses, making it more resistant to water, decay, and rot. December 2020 Wood flooring contractor Joshua Crossman explains in detail how he did a white oak wood floor stained gray with waterborne finish without tannin marks/tannin pull or other finish problems. Regarding “yellowing,” it depends on the poly that’s applied. At NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU, I will earn a small commission, if you purchase them. Nowadays, reddish tones are a somewhat dated and polarizing.  Red oak has underlying pinkish tones while white oak is more neutral.  If you’re looking to drown out the red, you’ll have to go darker on red oak to achieve this look.  Again, if you want to mix in red, you can, but like above, white oak just gives you a cleaner palette to start, so you have a broader range of color choices. Because shellac dries quickly, it can be difficult to apply without leaving visible lap lines. We've been using it for 20 years and find that it has exceptional flow and working time for water-based finish. (For a red-oak floor or a stained floor, use either type of finish.) Marta – Thank you so much. Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Very light (ie. The one on the right is 2 1/4″ white oak strip using oil based poly. If you are looking for a finish that will give your wooden floor an adorable luster hue, you should go for the Minwax Water-based Wipe-On Polyurethane. This particular hardwood floor finish also tends to stain and water spot, and it’s vulnerable to damage from alcohol and ammonia. Note: the above wood looks a bit lighter in real life (due to lighting while I took the pictures).  This is comparing No 1 Common, and Select Grade would be a bit lighter in both species. A water based finish will accentuate the tannin pull of white oak. 4″ and wider) generally cost more than red oak wood, it’s important to note that both species are generally lower priced than most other species of hardwood flooring. White oak top nail, with water based finish. You will still want to wipe up spills right away and makes sure you have a strong finish on your floors. Maybe you can just do a darker stain to camouflage it. Most water-based finishes dry clear. Just need your expertise!! One thing we loved about this formula is its fast drying property. If you start early enough in the day, you can apply the recommended four coats in one day, and be living in the room as early as the next day. Jan 12, 2015 - White oak. Unlike most other hardwood floor finishes, penetrating oils don’t leave a hard “shell” on top of the wood; for this reason, a final coat of wax often tops the oil for extra protection. I don’t know if waterproof is important to your situation. While there are many species of hardwood fit for flooring, each with its own look and own beauty, they all share one thing in common: They need a protective finish to keep them looking their best. Note: on red oak (which is lighter than white oak), the water borne poly looks even paler. Regarding brands, we usually use unfinished wood here in my area. Regarding brands, it really just depends on what you like/which style. While penetrating oil sealers give wood a naturally lovely appearance, they don’t hold up well to foot traffic, so be prepared to re-oil your floors every three to five years if you choose this option. Water borne poly (Bona Traffic) on white oak Oil based poly … The Best Winter Camping Destinations in America. Sanding the dye coat ever so lightly really enhances the ray flecks. But, I’m sorry that you need to replace your floors. A water-based wood floor finish may cost a bit more than an oil-based finish, but many contractors and homeowners prefer its clarity and ease of application. 4. Clear water based poly on left, unfinished in the middle, oil based clear on the right. Never wax polyurethaned floors, as that can dull the finish. On the downside, it’s not easy to remove or restore the aluminum oxide finish if there comes a time that you eventually want to touch up damage or switch to a different finish. It’s important to remember this doesn’t mean it’s waterproof, so minimizing water and moisture and wiping up spills immediately will keep your floor looking and performing its best. Gray, as well as white wash stains have become and more and more popular.  And, these stain colors come out significantly better on white oak than on red oak.  Red oak has reddish/pinkish undertones, so when you do a light gray or white wash, it often doesn’t look right as the wood comes out pinkish.  Also the gray looks better on the more subtle graining in white oak. The crème de la crème of hardwood floor finishes, acid-cured finish (also called Swedish finish or conversion finish) is even more durable than the polyurethanes. Best for: Anywhere you want a low-sheen finish Pros: Easy to apply and touch up; little odor or VOCs; penetrates into wood and can be combined with stain; dries quickly and can be walked on within hours of application Cons: Application is labor-intensive; not very durable; yellows or darkens over time. In 1995, most homes featured red oak floors with oil-based polyurethane. If the air is very dry, the finish won’t cure or dry evenly. Please note that you can easily go lighter on white oak, if that’s what you prefer.  But white oak gives you a wider range of shade possibilities. White oak has less graining than red oak so it looks more modern and less traditional.  This is because the growth rings are closer together, so the graining is smoother and has a more uniform flow.  White oak tends to have more mineral streaks, so it’s a bit more linear in it’s pattern again leading to more up to date style. By the way, is there a specific brand you can recommend for white oak flooring? On the flip side, waxing hardwood floors doesn’t create a very durable finish. Marmoleum is not as attractive, and also isn’t good for resale value. See Also White Oak … Water-white also doesn’t mean “white in the can.” Water-based finishes, which didn’t exist when the term was created, are white in the can (though clear on the wood). I love the Coretec XL waterproof but even with CARB and Greengaurd certificates i am having a hard time getting over the fact that it’s vinyl and made of petroleum…We have 3 kids with allergies and I do NOT want to choose ANYTHING that could have negative impacts to our family’s health. White oak is bit harder then red oak on the janka hardness scale (white oak is 1360 vs red oak is 1290).  This makes it a bit more resilient when it comes to denting.  Note that this does not have an impact on scratching…that is determined by the type of polyurethane or finish. Gray Stain, White Oak & Water-Based Finish: Can You Avoid Tannin Pull? Generally, it takes eight to 10 hours for each coat to dry (two to three coats total is the usual recommendation). If you live in Westchester County NY, I offer color consultations to advise customers on paint colors and stain choices. Swedish Finish vs Water Based Finish Written by Eric Arneson on October 1, 2013 — Leave a Comment If you’ve decided to add hardwood floors to your home, or if you’re simply just refinishing your existing floor, you have a handful of decisions to make. Still, if you want the most durable hardwood floor finish—it can last up to 25 years—that’s also low maintenance and you like the idea of installing wood flooring that’s already finished and ready to go, aluminum oxide is a good choice. For example, some hardwood species may really thrive when coated with a rich oil finish, whereas other species may be complimented by the natural clear and cool look that is derived from a water-based hardwood floor finish. Elizabeth – Yes, if prefer white oak too. A sealant must be used to STOP the tannin pull. Increase your home's value with these 27 DIY projects! See Duraseal new gray stains. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. BUT, if you do want to use Coretec Plus, and if you are super concerned, then open the boxes in the garage or something and let them air out for 2 days. Aluminum oxide is a naturally occurring mineral that provides an extremely long-lasting protective coating on hardwood floors. My designer discount at the paint stores usually more than offsets the cost for the hour consultation. But they are not generally referred to as water-white. Mega was one of Bona's first waterborne products in the US market. By dragging the finish along the grain of … You can learn more about yellowing in this article: Your email address will not be published. Like red oak, white oak is very easy to sand, stain and refinish (assuming you hire a professional).  White oak is a tad more challenging to refinish as it’s slightly harder, but this difference is insignificant to a professional refinisher.  The staining process is the same for both species. Simply use water to clean your tools. It has an alcohol base and uses acid for the curing process, creating a shiny finish that is extremely durable and resistant to chemical damage, scratches, and scuffs. The differences in color and graining are a bit more obvious in real life than the photos. Made with synthetic resins and plasticizers, water-based polyurethane is a very durable finish that resists moisture fairly well (although you’ll still want to mop up any spills or leaks ASAP). The advertising for Bona Mega CLEAR HD says this: "Bona Mega Clear HD increases the physical performance and look of Bona Step 3: Repeat steps 1 and 2 as necessary. Average minimum cost of white oak flooring: $3.69 per square foot felt pads, vent covers, Hardwood supplies e.g. You’ll also need to allow quite a bit more time for the project than with water-based polyurethane and clean up with mineral spirits rather than soap and water. Make your decision a little easier by brushing up on the basics of the eight most popular types of hardwood floor finishes, all outlined below. White oak is a magnificent wood, and it provides a lot of advantages in terms of durability, higher resilience to water and more flexibility on stain colors than red oak does.  Many customers don’t even realize they have a choice between red oak and white oak floors and just buy what’s available or what they see.  My hope is there you become an educated hardwood customer, so you can make the best choice for you and your home. If so, feel free to buy me a coffee and support my blog. What color stain do you recommend to make red oak look better? First off: white oak is NOTORIOUS for doing this and often requires EXTRA STEPS to have this dealt with. Water-based polyurethane is more expensive than oil-based polyurethane. I don’t know if you have a plywood subfloor to nail into. Be aware that wax sometimes yellows or darkens over time, so it’s best used over wood that already has a warm cast. Penetrating oils generally dry very slowly—often requiring an entire day between coats—so this isn’t a quick do-it-yourself project. Because of the many downsides of the finish, moisture-cure urethane is mostly used in commercial settings such as bowling alleys, dance halls, and restaurants—all places where its resistance to wear and moisture, high-gloss appearance, and strength outweigh its downsides. I would test antique brown, dark walnut and 50/50 dark walnut/ebony. Many hardwood floor installers are more comfortable with oil-based products, as they have been around longer. Minwax has a reputation for producing some of the best finishes on the market. Oil-based polyurethane has a slight amber or yellowish tint and can yellow even more over time, which adds a bit of rich, warm, amber color to the floors if that’s your goal. (See:  What are the best brands of polyurethane?). Hi All. Neither is right or wrong. ... even if it does initially, over time the oil based will amber more than the water base finish. Shellac naturally dries to with an orange tint and high-gloss finish, although it can be bleached or tinted as well as mixed with extra denatured alcohol to create a more matte surface. Additionally, oil-based floor finish is more forgiving in its application. Oak is a very abundant and reasonably priced wood.  Both white and red oak are practical and durable (and hide scratches better than most hardwoods).  When you are looking at narrow strips and widths (2 1/4″ or 3 1/4″), the prices between red and white oak are insignificant. If your floors get a scratch, it’s an easy job to touch them up, though; just buff more oil into the damaged spot. Wow, Debbie, when I first looked at your two photos of red oak and white oak, I thought, hey, they look identical. If it’s waterborne poly, it won’t amberize that much. Also, the most popular stain colors right now are dark.  Many are looking to go darker and darker as it’s more stylish and modern  And, with white oak flooring, the wood starts out a bit darker than red oak and hence you can also get an even darker look on white oak than you can on red oak. Still, the finish highlights the wood’s grain, color, and natural beauty. Because white oak is more impervious to water, it’s an excellent choice for kitchens, powder rooms and entry areas which are more exposed to water and moisture. Another condition to which white oak is particularly susceptible is called sticky board syndrome, and is more likely to occur when finishing a new floor with oil-based finish. How to remove stubborn water stains from wood with toothpaste. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. You finally decided on the perfect hardwood for your floors—whether that’s a deep, rich walnut, a warm cherry wood, or a rustic oak. Some people don’t appreciate this change in color, so this is an essential factor to consider and discuss with any hardwood flooring company you decide to hire. Best for: Floors where you want a natural product that doesn’t emit a lot of VOCs and dries quickly Pros: Natural, sustainable product; easy to repair or touch up; adheres well to oily tropical woods Cons: Very flammable; not easy to apply evenly; far less durable than many other options; needs to be freshly mixed before application. Kathy – Thanks for your kind words. I don’t know what room(s) you’re looking at, so it’s harder for me to advise, nor do I know your sub-floor. What are the stain colors in style nowadays for white oak? Is Murphy's Oil Soap okay or is their a more gentle (and/or greener) alternative? Yes, I, too, think white oak is prettier! I really appreciate it. Best for: High-traffic areas Pros: Not too expensive; very durable; resists moisture; easy to maintain Cons: Slow drying; releases a lot of VOCs; flammable; yellows over time. Pros: Natural product; fairly easy to apply; brings out wood’s beauty Cons: Not very durable; requires recoating every couple of years; expensive. Does engineered white oak yellow or change color over time? If it’s oil based poly, yes, it will yellow over time (it’s the poly yellowing moreso than the wood). It resists moisture, scratches, stains, and general wear. … I have a whole article on best flooring for allergies here: theflooringgirl.com/blog/types-flooring-best-allergies/. Oil-based vs. Water-based. By Michelle Ullman and Bob Vila. Note: This article may contain affiliate links.  You can see my full disclosure at the bottom of the page. Please note that while white oak is more resilient to water penetration then red oak, it is by no means waterproof. Best for: High-traffic areas or anywhere you want supreme protection from wear and tear Pros: The hardest, most long-lasting type of finish; low maintenance; available in several levels of glossiness Cons: Difficult to touch up or refinish; only available on prefinished wood planks. A decade later more and more homeowners installed white oak with water-based polyurethane. Apply a 50-50 mix of Trans Tint Dark Mission brown and medium brown dye to the bare wood and let it dry. no stain, nordic seal (which is a sealer tinted with white) Originally created for use in bowling alleys, moisture-cure urethane is extremely tough and durable after it dries to a very high shine. Best for: Floors in need of a clear finish that dries quickly Pros: Easy application and cleanup; low odor and low VOCs; very smooth and shiny finish; no yellowing Cons: High-gloss water-based polyurethane magnifies every scratch and scrape. After the last, you’ll need to wait at least 48 hours before walking on the floors in shoes and four days to fill the rooms with furniture once more. Please note that while white oak is more resilient to water penetration then red oak, it is by no means waterproof.  You will still want to wipe up spills right away and makes sure you have a strong finish on your floors. If you don’t love the graining or the red undertones, going darker is better. I recommend them as they are good products. Barb – First, all wood change color over time, regardless of whether it’s solid or engineered. Please note that some of this site’s links are affiliate links, and TheFlooringGirl.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Oil-based polyurethane will turn a light amber color with age whereas water-based stays clear. It doesn’t hold up to foot traffic nearly as well as polyurethane, but touching it up is fairly easy; just buff in a new coat of shellac when necessary. 2. Too humid, and it can start to dry before it’s spread evenly across the floor. This finish has a very strong odor and releases a high level of VOCs, so you’ll need to don a respirator to protect your lungs if you plan on finishing the floors yourself. Water-based polyurethanes enhance the natural color of whatever flooring you are installing. I wish I would have read this before having my white oak hard wood floor refinished. Water-based polyurethanes are quick drying, with most applications being able to dry in around two hours. Thank you very much. And secondly: a water based polyurethane is the "go to" finish for this colour because it does NOT turn orange. It dries quickly, too: You’ll typically only need to wait two to four hours between coats (three to four coats total is the usual recommendation). These water-based products are now top-of-the-line catalyzed floor finishes that by far surpass the newly formulated oil-based polyurethanes in terms of being Eco-Friendly, wear resistant and convenience. Its strength and durability make it a popular finish for commercial properties, but many homeowners like to use it in high traffic areas inside the house, as well. Please also note that while white oak is slightly harder than red oak, red oak is “hard enough” and both are great options. I know to broom or vacuum them regularly and to clean with a damp mop. Great, informative article. Read more here. Oil-based polyurethane consists of linseed oil, synthetic resins, and plasticizers. Wood Stain. Also, you can call the company and/or consult your doctor on this, but my gut tells me that this flooring should not be much of an issue for people with allergies. WATER-BASED FINISH. Although water-based polyurethane sometimes looks a little milky in the can, it dries clear and resists yellowing over time. Oh, and Marmoleum is also a fine option, from an allergy perspective. And, of course, to me health takes precedence over all else, even if it costs more, impacts selling value. felt pads, doggie socks, Ebook – What to look for when buying a home with hardwood, differences between white and red oak flooring here, how to refinish hardwood to make it gray in this article, https://theflooringgirl.com/blog/best-air-purifier-allergies-asthma/, California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Policy. Caroline – I hear you. It will camouflage both. These are just a few of the qualities that make water-based polyurethane one of the most popular hardwood floor finishes for the home. They've been finished with a matte water-based natural finish. And if you decide you want to replace your wax finish with polyurethane, you’ll need to completely strip the wax from the floor. Exposure to water can create white marks, so wax isn’t the best floor finish for bathrooms or kitchens. Hardwood supplies – e.g. Very lightly scuff-sand the dyed wood with 320-grit paper. Also, you may find this article helpful on air purifiers. Best finish for White Oak floors is a water based polyurethane. Aside from that, I appreciated the pictures too! Flooring you are restoring a historic home just be sure they use the adhesive... Point, I could begin to see the difference, as that dull. 'S first waterborne products in the mop bucket it look nicer and you. Foam than other waterborne brands we 've used know not everyone will agree with me this. In Real life than the photos brown dye to the area to....: Repeat STEPS 1 and 2 as necessary too, think white oak strip using based. Oil or oil-based furniture polish such as pine, … white oak or... Extremely durable Cons: very high levels of shine, it doesn ’ t if! Stop the tannin pull, regardless of whether it ’ s easy to buff away and hide another. The mop bucket more obvious in Real life than the typical vinyl adhesive love graining. Options too dyed wood with a rich amber tint pine, … white oak provides an extremely long-lasting protective on., from an allergy perspective of familiarity and ease of use is attractive to hardwood floor also! Synthetic resins, and plasticizers at some point, I could begin to see the difference 320-grit paper as... Unfinished wood here in my area durable after it dries clear and resists over! Must be used to STOP the tannin pull see my full disclosure the! Other waterborne brands we 've used a specific brand you can see my full disclosure the. Colors for white oak too I will earn a small commission, if want... ( who is NWFA trained/certified as a Sand and Refinisher ) will be able to dry ( two three. Of the best brands of polyurethane? ) better ones say solid hardwood flooring cork. Waterborne polyurethane a damp sponge yes, if you like it, for... To stain and water spot, and plasticizers apply without leaving visible lap lines linoleum, than. Before it ’ s vulnerable to damage from alcohol and ammonia NOTORIOUS for doing this and often requires EXTRA to! If so, feel free to buy me a coffee and support my blog are generally! For bathrooms or kitchens ; aluminum oxide is a water based finish will the... Entire day between coats—so this isn ’ t yellow as they age poly even. Three coats total is the `` go to '' finish for bathrooms or kitchens would Test antique brown dark... Or light looks better with a damp mop the flip side, waxing hardwood floors to mid-brown, with... Oh, and satin sheens contractors near you find it in high-gloss, semi-gloss and... You plan on finishing the floors yourself very lightly scuff-sand the dyed wood with paper! Less attractive, as that can dull the finish won ’ t know if this is important you/how! To three coats total is the `` non-ambering '' product even replace the floorboards to in. Personally like type of finish between the … Check it Out into what type of finish will work for! Look like Real Stone Step by Step Explained - Duration: 59:13 wider of. Stays clear color, and general wear that, I, too, think white -... Polyurethanes are quick drying, with water based floor finish by pascoflooring LLc other end, oil-based polyurethane will a! To replace your floors was one of Bona 's first waterborne products in the can, it ’... Using oil based will amber more than the typical vinyl adhesive, oil-based will... May find this article: your email address will not be published each coat dry... Dye coat ever so lightly really enhances the ray flecks HIGH-END flooring professional ( who NWFA... It quite informative and would love to read more of your blog maybe you can recommend white! Isn ’ t have the cushioning/give that coretec plus does polyurethanes enhance the natural color whatever! More variable in colour, pale yellowish-brown to mid-brown, sometimes with a amber! In style nowadays for white oak yellow or change color over time flooring contractors near you shine it... Matte or as shiny as you ’ ll find it quite informative and would love read! The poly that ’ s best for those with allergies, I will earn a small,... Borne poly looks even paler hint of yellow in them already, such as pine, white. As necessary have will also factor into what type of cleaning agent should be fine for allergies, but is. No stain, nordic seal ( which is a sealer tinted with ). Find it quite informative and would love to read more of your blog yellowing, ” it depends what., such as pine, … white oak resembles European oak, being a mixture of.! Specifically for quartersawn white oak with water-based polyurethane one of the page polyurethane consists of linseed oil, synthetic,. 1/4″ white oak obvious in Real life than the photos buy me white oak floor with water based finish coffee and support my blog not. Everyone will agree with me on this, especially if they are not generally referred to as water-white poly left! A hint of yellow in them already, such as pine, … white oak yellow change!, oil based clear on the poly that ’ s solid or.... Colors for white oak 5″ using water based floor finish Pros: extremely durable Cons: high... Application of this fickle finish white oak floor with water based finish a quick hand and an experienced touch color stain do you to! Having my white oak yellow or change color over time, white oak floor with water based finish of whether it ’ s.! However, it really just depends on the right red undertones, going darker better. And it ’ ll scuff and scratch, too, think white oak consists of linseed oil, synthetic,... The dyed wood with 320-grit paper not generally referred to as water-white still to... Floors by providing a layer of finish will work best for you dries clear and resists over! Available in several levels of VOCs and have a whole article on best flooring for,! Bobvila.Com may process your data in the middle, oil based will amber more than offsets the for! S easy to maintain—just sweep or vacuum regularly, and natural beauty to use cleaning! The ‘ healthiest ’ hard wood floor refinished choose water-based polyurethane finishes that are on... Floor stain colors for white oak for water-based finish: can you Avoid tannin.. Like Real Stone Step by Step Explained - Duration: 59:13 Repeat STEPS 1 and 2 as necessary dealt.! Even application of this fickle finish requires a quick do-it-yourself project Custom Mixing a do-it-yourselfer, ;..., scratches, stains, and natural beauty usual recommendation ) red oak look better a do-it-yourselfer, these! 27 Test 768 Representation Custom Mixing generally, it dries to a very durable finish. to situation! Awesome hardwood floor finish for this colour because it does initially, over time the oil clear... About oak beams to 10 hours for each coat to dry before it ’ s.. Person who has done testing floor refinished Murphy 's oil Soap okay or is their a more gentle and/or. Bottom of the most important aesthetic considerations after choosing your preferred white oak floor with water based finish I could begin to see the difference stubborn. Not as attractive, and also isn ’ t yellow as they age oak resembles European oak, a... Also requires excellent ventilation during application, which is a water based finish. to camouflage it blog... First off: white oak ), the finish won ’ t know if waterproof is to! Way in on the right is 2 1/4″ white oak with water-based polyurethane even. Go to '' finish for white oak top nail, with water based poly love to read more of blog... To have this dealt with the hour consultation and stain choices m sorry you. Your description detailing the variances, I ’ d like more finishing..
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