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Hardwood Floors: Wax or Urethane? crabshell 05-29-2006
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Posted by crabshell on May 29, 2006, 11:57 pm
I have talked to several hardwood floor specialists and there seems to be
disagreement as to whether you should wax or urethane them. I was told by
one that they never wax, only urethane -- but they can't urethane over
existing wax so they'd have to sand and refinish first -- costing about
$3000. Wax costs a fraction of that.

I personally do not care for the high gloss, coated look of urethane. Are
they out to snooker me? If I get a dog will I want urethane in the event
of accidents?

The main reason I'm considering refinishing the whole house is that a
portion of the house has to be refinished regardless of this issue -- so
ultimately I'd like to see it done right (but on a tight budget).

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Posted by dadiOH on May 30, 2006, 8:28 am
crabshell wrote:
> I have talked to several hardwood floor specialists and there seems
> to be disagreement as to whether you should wax or urethane them. I
> was told by one that they never wax, only urethane -- but they can't
> urethane over existing wax so they'd have to sand and refinish first
> -- costing about $3000. Wax costs a fraction of that.

Wax offers little protection and is high maintenance.
________________

> I personally do not care for the high gloss, coated look of urethane.

It comes in other sheens...semi-gloss, matte...
_______________________

Another option is oil. Not as protective as urethane, more so than wax.
Relatively easy to redo/maintain.


--

dadiOH
____________________________

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Posted by on May 30, 2006, 10:11 am
You will be sorry down the road if you use urethane and comes the time
to redo. Wax doesn't take a lot of maintenance if you have the right
tools, (an electric polisher) is needed. Use a good wax. How often you
have to rewax depends on how much traffic there is.
I've yet to see a urethane finish that will hold up and look as good as
a good wax job.


Posted by Goedjn on May 30, 2006, 4:06 pm
On Mon, 29 May 2006 22:57:46 -0500, crabshell

>I have talked to several hardwood floor specialists and there seems to be
>disagreement as to whether you should wax or urethane them. I was told by
>one that they never wax, only urethane -- but they can't urethane over
>existing wax so they'd have to sand and refinish first -- costing about
>$3000. Wax costs a fraction of that.
>
>I personally do not care for the high gloss, coated look of urethane. Are
>they out to snooker me? If I get a dog will I want urethane in the event
>of accidents?
>
>The main reason I'm considering refinishing the whole house is that a
>portion of the house has to be refinished regardless of this issue -- so
>ultimately I'd like to see it done right (but on a tight budget).

Wax is cheaper, and I like it better, but it's a finish that needs
at best yearly maintenance, and depending on the abuse it takes,
possibly constant maintenance. Multiple coats of urethane is far
more durable.



Posted by edee em on June 1, 2006, 3:25 pm
I vote wax: I've had a wax finish floor for 25 years in my hall, living,
dining and family rooms. The kicker? When a wax finish starts to go, it
still looks way better than when a urethane floor starts to deteriorate.

>I have talked to several hardwood floor specialists and there seems to be
> disagreement as to whether you should wax or urethane them. I was told
> by
> one that they never wax, only urethane -- but they can't urethane over
> existing wax so they'd have to sand and refinish first -- costing about
> $3000. Wax costs a fraction of that.
>
> I personally do not care for the high gloss, coated look of urethane. Are
> they out to snooker me? If I get a dog will I want urethane in the event
> of accidents?
>
> The main reason I'm considering refinishing the whole house is that a
> portion of the house has to be refinished regardless of this issue -- so
> ultimately I'd like to see it done right (but on a tight budget).



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