What Finish Is Recommended for Hardwood Floors: Semi Gloss or Satin?

Hardwood Description

• Hardwood flooring is made from leaf-bearing trees such as oak, maple and cherry. As its name implies, hardwoods are more durable than softwoods, which come from conifers such as pine and fir. Traditional hardwood flooring is milled about three-fourths of an inch thick with tongue-and-groove edges. The interlocking quality of tongue-and-groove makes for a tight fit and sure attachment to the subfloor. Hardwood flooring, while more durable than softwood, still benefits from the application of a hard sealer to protect it from wear.

Sealer

• Wax, shellac and varnish were the traditional choices for sealing floors until polyurethane became widely available in the mid-20th century. Polyurethane provides a durable surface -- very much like a thin layer of hard plastic -- and has become the standard in floor sealers. It is easy to use and comes in a variety of formulations to suit the needs of every homeowner.

Semi-Gloss or High-Gloss

• The choice is yours. High-gloss is more durable than semi-gloss but also has a wet look after it cures. Many homeowners, however, prefer the waxy, satiny sheen of semi-gloss. It basically comes down to preference, as both types provide decent protection. Tom Silva of PBS's "This Old House" recommends two coats of high-gloss for durability, followed by one coat of semi-gloss for depth and a more subdued sheen.

Tips

• Water-based polyurethane products dry quickly, are free of harmful vapors and are easy to use. Many homeowners prefer the old-fashioned yellowing that comes with an oil-based polyurethane. If you want to keep the clear, white tones of a light wood such as maple, go with a water-based product, which does not yellow. A polyurethane finish of any type performs best if it's cleaned regularly, as ground-in dirt quickly wears the finish.