Best Polyurethane for Hardwood Floors: Top 8 Picks for 2024

Are you feeling overwhelmed trying to find the best polyurethane for hardwood floors?

Fear no more!

We’ve already gone through thousands of hardwood floor polyurethane, and we’ve found some excellent hardwood finishes.

The hardwood finishes we have selected will set you up with all the features that you need to get that shiny surface on the floor. Not only that, but you will also get your money’s worth.

So, without further ado, let’s find out the most efficient hardwood finish for you!

8 Best Polyurethane for Hardwood Floors Review

Today’s market is flooded with cheap knock-offs. So, it’s hard to find good ones. But that’s why we’re here to help you find the right one.

Now that you know where we’re coming from, here are the eight most efficient hardwood polyurethane finishes:

1. Minwax 63005444

To start off, we have this unit from a well-known company called Minwax. We have bought many products from them before, and they never seem to disappoint us.

Any finish worth your money should add a protective layer to the floor for more durability. And that is when this product from Minwax comes in handy. This wood finish adds a durable coating to the floor for more protection.

Are you hosting a meeting and need to finish the floor but can’t afford to wait so much time for it to dry? Then Minwax is here to offer a great solution; this product dries pretty quickly compared to other hardwood finishes. So, no need to wait several hours before it dries up.

So, a craftsman just put a piece of furniture together, but you still need to finish it? Then this product will serve you right. It will add a beautiful look to the floor you want to finish.

Not only can you use this masterpiece to add beauty to the floor, but you can also use this product for furniture, cabinets, and even doors. So, when it comes to compatibility, you really can’t beat Minwax.

And finally, we strongly recommend this excellent hardwood finish if you want immediate results as well as ease of use on a hardwood finish.

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2. Varathane 200061H Water Based Polyurethane

What is the best water based polyurethane for hardwood floors? The Varathane 200061H is the best option for any homeowner that needs to enhance the beauty of their wood.

Varathane has been in the market for over 60 years now. And they have proven to be excellent choices for DIY-ers over the years.

Let’s be honest: nobody likes cleaning up a mess. It is time-consuming, and nobody really wants to go through all that process. But with Varathane, cleaning up a mess is super easy since it is a water-based formula that can be easily cleaned.

So, you got a new hardwood floor installed, but scared that your son might leave a scratch that you can easily see from far away? Don’t worry! We got the perfect solution for you.

This product from Varathane goes ahead and adds a protective layer that protects the hardwood floor from any possible scratches that it might face down the line.

On top of being an excellent choice for adding resistance to the floor, this product also works incredibly well when you want to add brightness to the floor.

And finally, if you’re satisfied with the results that this water-based product provides, then you can also use it on any furniture, cabinets, and doors that you want to finish.

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3. Minwax 61370444 Oil Based Polyurethane

Are you looking for the best oil based polyurethane for hardwood floors? Then you will love this breath-taking product from Minwax.

You’re probably here because you want to remove the awful color the previous hardwood finish you used left. And if that is the case, then you’re in for a hell of a ride with this product.

It does not matter if you already applied a finish. You can use this product from Minwax to change the previous color.

What really stands out the most about this product is how simple the application is, and you still get mind-blowing results without spending half a day working on a hardwood floor.

Hardwood floors are bound to suffer any type of damage. Whether it be scratches or spills, it happens over time. To mitigate the damage, this product from Minwax offers an excellent protective shield that preserves the wood in the long run.

And just like the previous hardwood finishes that we have reviewed before, you can use this product on any furniture and cabinets that you want to finish. So, you have lots of options for this excellent product.

And finally, if you need to clean up after you have applied the finish, all you need to do is use mineral spirits and watch as it removes any undesired results.

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4. Bona Mega FBA_3994164

Do you need the best hardwood floor polyurethane? If so, you will fall in love with this mind-blowing product from Bona Mega.

Bona Mega is a company that has been manufacturing hardwood finishes for such a long time. And during all this time, they have improved quite a lot.

To enhance the beauty of your wood, this product provides a beautiful and natural color. This way, the wood will get a natural color and not look weird.

Another thing we absolutely love about this product is how well it works on wood. For example, when you first apply it, you will notice how it spreads throughout the surface evenly.

When it comes to ease of applications, we have to give this excellent product from Bona Mega some credits. You don’t need over the top steps, nor do you need to be an expert to get the most out of it.

We’re pretty satisfied with the drying-times of this product. You don’t need to spend hours checking on the floor to find out if it still needs some time before it dries. In less than three hours, you should see how the floor turned out.

If you’re someone who can’t stand strong odors or someone who has breathing issues, then this product will be super useful for you. The smell is not too strong, nor does it leave a strong odor after the application.

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5. Minwax 609504444 Hardwood Floor Polyurethane Finish

Polyurethaning hardwood floors have never been this easy, thanks to the Minwax 609504444.

The most important thing that anybody wants to get out of a hardwood finish is a clear finish. It enhances your house as it adds a more elegant feeling.

The results that this product provides are more than enough to make the floor stand out from other generic finished floors.

The durability of this product is mind-blowing. After you use this product on the floor, it will add a protective layer.

But that is not all to this story; the protective shield will be around for about 3-6 months. So, rest assured, knowing the floor will be safe from possible scratches.

If you’re wondering whether you can use it on a damaged floor to restore its long beauty, then the answer is yes. You can use it on any floor that you want to maintain.

You don’t need to use the entire bottle to get decent results. All you need is a single application to get excellent results.

What we like the most about this hardwood finish from Minwax is how easy it is to apply. You don’t need to sand the floor, nor do you need any special tools to get the results you want.

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6. ZAR 33912

Do you want to take advantage of hardwood floor polyurethane finishes to enhance the floor at home for cheap? Then the ZAR 33912 hardwood finish is an excellent option for anybody looking for great results.

We love fast-drying hardwood finishes, and that is why we cannot stress this enough how much time they save. And to your surprise, this product is also one of those excellent and reliable fast-drying finishes.

Also, we can all agree on how crucial abrasion-resistant finishes are. They hold up pretty well to being damaged over time.

And they save you a lot of money as well. Because of that, we chose the ZAR 33912. Its ability to remain in great shape makes it an excellent hardwood finish.

Another great feature that this product from ZAR provides is how well it distributes the finish when applying it on the floor. It first begins to go down over the existing floor to create a resistant and flat surface.

As for the brightness of this wood, we have noticed that it adds a shiny surface once you apply. But it does not make it incredibly shiny to the point that you can’t even stare at the floor for more than two seconds.

And finally, we suggest getting this hardwood floor to anybody that needs to restore an old hardwood floor.

We’ve tested this product many times and have achieved excellent results restoring old and scuffed up wood.

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7. Dura Seal 81310 Touch Up Polyurethane

Can’t seem to find an excellent finish to touch up polyurethane hardwood floors? Then the Dura Seal 81310 is here to help you restore your hardwood floor.

Dura Seal is a company that has been in the market for over a hundred years. And during that time, they’ve made significant improvements to what the industry for hardwood finishes is now.

One of the main features this product from Dura Seal has that makes it such a significant purchase is how beautiful it makes the hardwood floor. It takes some time, but you can see a remarkable improvement once you apply it.

Besides enhancing the floor you have, this hardwood finish also protects the floor by adding a protective layer. This way, you will not freak out over dirt and spills on the floor.

We also love how this product holds up to scratches. We’ve tested thousands of hardwood finishes, and we noticed how common for a hardwood finish it is to scratch, which is a huge turn off for most people.

You don’t need crazy steps or sophisticated tools to apply this product as the product already has everything you need to get that beautiful look on the floor. However, you can sand the wood for better results.

To top it off, we were mind-boggled when we noticed the vivid colors that this hardwood finish left after the application. It completely restored the old hardwood floor we were working on.

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8. Deft, Inc 259-04

Last but not least, we have the Deft, Inc 259-04, which is one of the leading polyurethane finish hardwood floors that you can find in the market.

Deft Inc is well-known in the hardwood finish industry. One of the main things that make their products stand out from other companies is that they manufacture easy-to-use finishes.

We have said many times before, but we really like a finish that allows for multiple applications. You save up a lot of money if you get one that works on many types of wood. This way, if you like the finish you bought, you can use it on any furniture you want to finish.

But besides being compatible with many types of wood, this product also adds extra protection to the wood. All you need to do is apply it on the furniture, and then the hardwood finish will take care of it for you.

We cannot talk about a hardwood finish without bringing up the odor. As for the smell of this product, we have been pleased by its low odor. It is not too strong, nor does it make you feel tired.

The best thing about this product is that it works like a charm against unexpected weather. If you ever leave your finished wood outside, the finish will act as a protective shield to stop the rain from damaging it.

And if that wasn’t enough, with this product, you can bring that old and damaged floor back to life. And, no, it won’t turn the floor yellow.

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Comparison Table of Best Hardwood Floor Polyurethane

Polyurethane For Hardwood Floors Buying Guide

As always, we suggest doing some research on any product you want to get. You could get ripped off if you don’t know what you’re getting.

So, to help you find the best polyurethane for hardwood floors, we have made a list of the things you must take into account to get the most out of any finish!

If you like how that sounds, you’re in for a hell of a ride. Now, without any further ado, here is what you need to know before you buy a hardwood finish:

Brightness

One of our biggest regrets when buying a hardwood finish is not doing enough research. Because of that, we ended up getting a hardwood finish that goes yellow after the application.

So, we recommend watching out for those hardwood finishes that add too much brightness to the floor. Most of the time, it leaves a yellow look, which can be unpleasant to look at for most people.

Another thing that causes yellow topcoats is light colors. If you put it on white surfaces, chances are it will turn yellow. So, watch out for that.

Variety

In the past, we have bought hardwood finishes, but they were only compatible with hardwood floors. While we could use them on furniture, the results were not so pleasant as the original floor.

We later realized that it is best to get a hardwood finish that works on many types of wood. By getting one of those all-around finishes, you can use it on other furniture you have at home.

As such, next time you’re in the wild, make sure the hardwood finish you want to get is compatible with other types of wood.

Protective Shield

Any decent polyurethane hardwood floors you get should be able to add a protective layer around the floor you want to finish. This way, you don’t have to worry about random weather or spills on the floor.

And cleaning is a lot easier since you don’t have to worry about any possible damage. As such, you always want to get a finish that makes the wood more durable.

Not only does it save you many headaches, but it is also worth the money as you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to preserve your wood.

Odor

There is nothing more annoying than having to put up with strong odors. Not only is it annoying, but it is also dangerous to your health, especially if you have breathing problems.

To avoid getting finishes with strong odors, we suggest going for the water-based ones. Water-based finishes do not have a strong odor in fact, most of them are odorless. So, you won’t notice the smell when you apply the finish.

Drying Time

Depending on how much time you have on your hands, you probably want the finish to dry up as soon as possible.

After all, time is a precious resource you will never get back. So, we recommend getting a finish that dries quickly.

Not only will it make this process less tedious, but you will also save a lot of time and headaches.

Water-Based vs. Oil-Based Polyurethane Floor Finish: Which One is Best?

There is always this one debate about both water-based finishes and oil based polyurethane for wood floors. But which one is better and why? In this guide, we’ll go in-depth about these two finishes so that you can pick the right one.

Odor

One of the main things you hear people talk about water-based and oil-based finishes is the odor. Water-based finishes have low odors, which means you can work at peace, knowing the smell won’t get into your nose.

On the other hand, you have oil-based finishes. They are a little bit hard to deal with as the odor is quite strong. And when dealing with oil-based finishes, we recommend working in well-ventilated areas or outdoors to avoid the smell.

Sheen

Another difference between oil-based and water-based finishes is that water-based finishes have a hard time achieving high levels of sheen. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, it’s always worth knowing.

Now, as for oil-based finishes, they really come in handy if you need to get that shiny look on top of the wood. That is not possible with water-based finishes.

Longevity

Oil-based finishes are super useful for those folks that need reliable resistance on their wood. While it is true that oil-based finishes are more durable than water-based finishes, they have a huge drawback – they tend to yellow.

But you don’t have this problem with water-based finishes. Water-based finishes have a hard time turning yellow, and they work amazingly well against the weather.

How to Take Care of Your Floor Finish?

If you take care of your hardwood floor, it will last many years to come. Hardwood floors are meant to be cleaned regularly. Dust and debris can scratch and possibly dull the floor if you let them do their thing.

You don’t need to spend a ridiculous amount of time to clean the floor. As long as you know what you’re doing, cleaning up the floor is super simple.

Here is what we do to keep the floor as clean as possible:

Sweep or Vacuum

Keeping the floor free from dust seems like a never-ending task, and you’re not entirely wrong.

But as tedious as it is, you must sweep the floor using a broom to get rid of the dust. Doing this regularly will protect the floor from scratches.

If you don’t feel like using a broom, you can use a vacuum to clean the floor. But here is the catch, you should only use a vacuum if the model you have has an on-off brush roll option.

Use a Mop

After you sweep the floor, we recommend cleaning the floor using a damp mop.

But you want the mop to be damp, not dripping water everywhere. Excessive moisture can damage the floor, so you want to avoid that.

You also want to avoid using harsh detergents, as they will dull the surface over time.

By doing this, the floor will remain in great shape for many decades without having to spend a crazy amount of money.

People Also Asked (FAQs)

Do you want to know more about hardwood floors? If so, here are the five most common questions about hardwood floors:

1. How to Prep Hardwood Floors for Polyurethane?

Ans: To prepare hardwood floors before you apply polyurethane finish, here is what you need to do:

• Clean the surface using a broom. Alternatively, you can use a vacuum.
• Dampen a mop and then clean the surface.
• Next, open up some windows for better ventilation inside the house.
• Now, you’re ready to apply polyurethane finish.

2. What is the Best Way to Polyurethane a Floor?

Ans: Here is what you need to do to apply polyurethane like a professional:

• Prepare the area by cleaning before applying the polyurethane.
• Use a lambswool to apply the finish. If you use a brush, you will get bubbles after it dries.
• Get a painter tape to remove loose hair from the lambswool.
• Now, wrap the lambswool around the paint pole.
• Lastly, begin to apply the polyurethane on the floor.

3. Is It Better to Brush or Roll Polyurethane?

Ans: It is better to use a roll for applying polyurethane as you get more consistent results. If you use a polyurethane brush, you will most likely get bubbles on the floor.

4. How Much Polyurethane do I Need for the Floor?

Ans: It depends on the length of the floor you want to finish. But most of the time, you want to use about 2-5 coats for a hardwood floor.

5. How to Care for Polyurethane Hardwood Floors?

Ans: The best way to keep polyurethane floors in great shape is by regularly sweeping the floor. Dust can damage the floor over time. So, we suggest keeping a regular schedule for maintenance.

Final Words

Did you find our tips as well as our top picks for the best polyurethane for hardwood floors useful? We hope that you’ll now have an easier time picking up a hardwood finish.

Nevertheless, there is one hardwood finish we really like. Here’s why we like it:

• Varathane 200061H: we love this hardwood finish, and it has exceeded our expectations over and over.

If you choose that finish, you won’t regret your purchase later on.