What Else Info Search

Choosing the right floor varnish is key to a long-lasting wooden floor with an aesthetic look. It improves the natural look of the wooden floor with enduring durability. Varnish acts as a protective layer against any scratches or moisture. It is everyone’s choice whether it is for renovation or new home decoration. 

The traditional pattern of varnish is oil-based varnish. It is quite popular among people for its longer durability. Recently, People have been preferring water-based varnish over oil-based varnish. As it has an easy application process and low odour.

Types of Floor Varnish and Their Application

There is a variety of floor varnish available in the market with different compositions and applicability. But, all of these have the same purpose i.e giving protection to wooden floors. The major broad categories are as,

• Oil-based floor varnish
• Water-based floor varnish

Water-based varnish has a low odour and it takes little time to dry up. It is easy to apply and does not require any professional expertise. It contains less toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and retains wood’s natural colour. However, It might have less durability compared to others. It is effective for indoor wooden floor varnish.

Oil-based traditional varnish is more durable with a deep finish. High-traffic areas like banquet and seminar halls are prone to heavy foot traffic and require solid protection. Oil-based varnish is perfect for these types of wooden floors. Though it gives superior longevity, it takes a longer time to dry. Its strong odour is not suitable for less-ventilated rooms and it needs more time to dry. 

What to choose Water-Based or oil-based Varnish

Many people prefer water-based floor varnish to oil-based as it retains the natural look of wood. The selection of the right category depends on your specific needs.

• Aesthetic preference
• Cost and budget consideration
• Space of application
• Environmental consideration
• Wood type

Water-based varnish keeps the floor colour almost unaltered but oil-based varnish may generate a yellowish hue after a certain period. For clear and transparent colour water-based is absolutely fine. Whereas, oil-based gives the floor a warm and radiant finish. It depends on your aesthetic preference whether you want a traditional, oil-based varnish or a contemporary, water-based varnish.

Budget plays a key role in varnish selection. Oil-based floor varnish usually comes at a lower price but it takes time to dry up and needs maintenance. However, as it has longer durability, you might not reapply frequently. Water-based varnish has a slightly higher price and you might face frequent touch-ups but it does not have a complex application process.

The space or area matters a lot before the selection of any varnish. For well-ventilated areas, oil-based varnish is perfect. You may feel uncomfortable with its strong smell in non-airy areas. Water-based varnish has a relatively low odour and suits all. If you are not sensitive to intense odour, oil-based varnish is a good choice.

The oil-based varnish contains the highest VOCs compared to water-based. Oil-based varnish has solvents in its composition which release higher levels of air pollutants. It is not preferable to use it if you have kids or patients with breathing problems. So, the choice depends largely on environmental factors also.

Oil-based varnish goes fine with darker wood and gives a natural grain tone. Water-based varnish fits well with lighter woods highlighting its contemporary natural finish. Take wood type into consideration before making any decision.

Easy Steps for Applying Water-Based Floor Varnish

It has a simple process to apply and does not require any professional help. Clean dust or old varnish from the wooden floor. Sand the floor to remove any mismatch with sandpaper. Apply the first coat of water varnish with consistent strokes to avoid streaks. Keep it for 2-4 hours for drying up. Reapply and repeat the same process, if you need.

Maintenance of Varnished Floor

Maintaining a varnished floor is important to retain ambience of home. A soft broom or vacuum cleaner is suitable for cleaning dust without scratches. Do not use harsh cleaners. It is better to fix a protective pad under the furniture legs to avoid damage. You can get long-lasting durability with proper care only.

Conclusion

Choosing the right Floor varnish is crucial for maintaining the beauty of a wooden floor. It is important to choose varnish whether water-based or oil-based for strong protection against wear.  Each Varnish has its pros and cons. You have to decide which one best suits your floor. Consider all factors before making a choice. Because, once you decide, it stays for a long time.