After making few observations, i can boldly tell you that it is very crucial to select the right finish for your wood. Finding the right finish for your wood is also as vital as finding the right wooden floor and the right type of wood specie. Today, this post will talk to you about the best oil based polyurethane for wood floors, and we have stated in other of our posts regarding the benefits of oil based polyurethane over water based polyurethane.
Looking away from the fact that oil based polyurethane is very affordable, it has a brighter finish compared to water based polyurethane. Oil based polyurethane is known to have greater depth, shine, and color compared to water based polyurethane, and over time, the appearance of the oil based polyurethane darkens slight and amberizes. This helps in providing oil based polyurethane with a creamy look, and this is what every homeowner wants their floor finish to look like.
The most durable and hard-wearing option remains the oil based polyurethane, but why is this so? This is simply because oil based polyurethane has a good amount of volatile organic compounds, and volatile organic compounds are chemicals that ensures every finish last longer. Volatile organic compounds ensure that the finish is enhanced to resist moisture, heat, and scratches. Bearing all these in mind, you can see why people prefer oil based polyurethane.
Best Oil Based Polyurethane for Wood Floors

However, there are so many oil based polyurethane products available on the market, and trust me when i say shopping for an oil based polyurethane can be very confusing. Indeed, there are numerous product available everywhere when you go out to shop for a reliable oil based polyurethane, but this post is here to help you make the search easy by providing you with the best and trusted options that you will get the best from.
Without any doubt, these products that we want to talk about are the best that you can settle for right now, and we picked these products based on top customer reviews, and other factors. These factors are very important, and you can trust them to help you make a very good choice. Let us take a look at these factors below.
Factors To Note When Shopping For The Best Oil Based Polyurethane For Wood Floors
The line “once bitten, twice shy” is a realistic statement. If you have ended up shopping for an oil based polyurethane product and you left the market with a bad quality then you need to pay close attention to these factors we want to talk about as they will help you to avoid repeating the same mistake. If you don’t know the right product to settle for, or you don’t know what to expect then consider these factors when you shop for an oil based polyurethane.
Durability
The ability to function as a coat of armor determines the durability of an oil based polyurethane, and almost every product on the market boasts of being durable. After some time, you will realize that they start being vulnerable to scratch, and eventually wear off. When sealing a floor with a genuine product that is durable, the finish will not be vulnerable to wear and scratches. This makes the finish last longer.
Drying Time
The general idea is that oil based polyurethane have longer drying time, but there are brands that have worked on theirs to have a shortened drying time. This means that oil based polyurethane that takes up to a week to get dried before can now take only a few hours to get dried. This means you can apply about three coats of oil based polyurethane on wood, and this takes away the stress of settling with a bad product that has a long drying time.
Interior Or Exterior
Do you want to work on interior floors alone or you are considering working outdoors on your patio as well. Paying for an oil based polyurethane with UV protection and using it indoors doesn’t sound right, so you need to have a good idea of what exactly you are shopping for. Oil based polyurethane for exterior use will provide adequate UV protection and repel sun damage from affecting outdoor wood or furniture.
Application
Depending on the brand you have settled for, oil based polyurethane can take as long as twenty four hours for each coat to get dried. If you are applying two to three coats then considering if you would stay for days is necessary before picking just any product. There are products you can use a rag or sponge to apply, while others require the use of a painting roller. There are some that requires getting applied using a spray gun, and these things are important.
These are the top factors that you need to take into consideration when shopping for the Best Oil Based Polyurethane for Wood Floors, and neglecting any of these factors means you have already settled for a bad quality product and poor quality finish. The next lines in this post will be showing you top products that you can rely on, so continue reading this interesting post we have written just for you.
Cost
There are several advantages using a water based polyurethane comes with when sealing floors, and you will be amazed how easy it is to use an oil based polyurethane when cleaning up certain materials. Despite all of these benefits, people look away from it dramatically because of its heavy price tag. Cost is one factor you need to pay attention to, but there are times when you will be required to spend extra funds to get the quality of product you need. However, bear it in mind that water based polyurethane is far more expensive than oil based polyurethane.
Best Oil Based Polyurethane for Wood Floors Review
1. ZAR 32712 Polyurethane, QT, Satin

For outdoor use and for dealing with heavy areas, the Zar oil based polyurethane remains one of the most trusted choice for any woodworker. This is because it comes with antioxidants and ultraviolet absorbers that protects wood against sun damage, while having a fast drying time is another factor that you will love about this product. This makes it easy to apply about three coats, as it will take about six hours to get dried.
Pros
- It offers a durable finish
- It provides about three different finishes
- It has a two hour drying time
- This oil based polyurethane is perfect for weathered and heavy traffic areas
Cons
- There are no cons about the Zar oil based polyurethane
2. Minwax 63005444 Fast Drying Polyurethane

When used on an interior surface wood, this is the oil based polyurethane product that will offer a long lasting protection and beauty, and this is why it is listed among the best oil based polyurethane products that provide adequate wood protection. You can use this product on floors, cabinets, furniture, and for woodwork, and delivering amazing results on unfinished and finished woods is what this product is formulated to do.
It is super durable and ideal for use on wood floors, and having a fast drying time means you can apply several coats.
Pros
- This is a great quality product that is also very affordable
- Good results are obtained when you follow its instructions
- Beginners can also make use of it with ease
Cons
- It has the tendency to turn yellow after some time
3. Rust Oleum 130131 Varathane

The Rust Oleum brand is one brand woodworkers trust to make high quality product, and this product right here is another outstanding product from the brand. This oil based polyurethane right here has the right formulation that makes it durable, resistant to peeling, and mask scratches. Just like other oil based polyurethane products mentioned here, this product also has a fast drying time. It has the right viscosity to cover wood surface completely.
It takes about four hours for you to re-coat, and re-coating provides you withe kind of coverage you want your wood surface to have.
Pros
- This is another durable oil based polyurethane product
- It features a quick drying time
- It works great when used on interior floors
- It can be used on unfinished and finished woods
Cons
- Few people were not pleased with its quality of finish
Conclusion – Best Oil Based Polyurethane for Wood Floors
Is it okay to go for a water based polyurethane? I wouldn’t say no to that because there are times when working with a water based polyurethane will come in handy. However, this post is focused on helping you find the Best Oil Based Polyurethane for Wood Floors, and we hope that we have been able to achieve that with every piece of information we have provided you in this post.