If you have hardwood floors, you want to keep them clean and beautiful. Without protection, your hardwood floors are susceptible to scratches, wear and water damage. Polyurethane wood finish protects your hardwood flooring from minor damage, but will it waterproof your floors? Learn what this finish does for floors and discover waterproof flooring alternatives below.
Is Polyurethane Waterproof?
This finish protects your floors, but polyurethane is not waterproof. It will make your floors water-resistant, though — the coating repels water and helps prevent water absorption.
How to Use Polyurethane on Hardwood Floors
While polyurethane will not waterproof your floors, it’s still essential to use. For polyurethane to provide the best protection over time, you should:
- Get a professional application.Professionals have the equipment for the best polyurethane application. They’ll prep the area, buff and sand your hardwood flooring, and then stain and coat it. If you have no experience refinishing hardwood floors, professionals will make the job easier.
- Layer it.You’ll need at least two to three layers of polyurethane coating to protect your floors. One coat can have minor holes or small scratches that will let water in and ruin your hardwood floors. If you’re going to the trouble anyway, give your floors the most protection with more layers of finish.
- Reapply.How often your floors need a new coating depends on the material. The wear and tear your floors experience is also a factor.In general, you may want to refinish hardwood floorsevery seven to 10 years.If you have pets or kids or your floors experience a lot of foot traffic, refinish your flooring every three to four years.
Water-Resistant and Waterproof Flooring Alternatives
A reliable water-resistant or waterproof floor is essential in a kitchen, bathroom or mudroom. Rooms with high foot traffic and exposure to water need durable floors, and you have a few varieties to consider.
If you wantwood floors,select a hardwood variety. Those options are more durable than softwood floors. Oak, maple and walnut are a few harder, more durable woods. Pine flooring is softer and could take in more water, but no matter what you choose, you’ll need layers of polyurethane to protect it.
Other water-resistant flooring options includelaminateandvinyl. These floor typesare water-resistant and come in varieties that look like hardwood. Or, getwaterproof laminatewith a specialized four-layer design that prevents water absorption. If you can be flexible with your flooring choice, you’ll get a quality result.
Get Water-Resistant and Waterproof Floors From 50 Floor
Finding the right flooring doesn’t have to be hard, especially when you shop with 50 Floor. One of our professionals will come to your home and show you flooring samples in your space. You’ll learn more about waterproof or water-resistant flooring options so you can make the right choice for your home.
Schedule your appointmenttoday for an at-home consultation. Get the water-resistant or waterproof flooring solutions you need from 50 Floor.
