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You are here: Home / IDEAS & OPTIONS / How Many Coats Of Polyurethane On Floors-Quick Guide

April 10, 2022

How Many Coats Of Polyurethane On Floors-Quick Guide

How Many Coats Of Polyurethane On Floors-Quick Guide

How Many Coats of Polyurethane Should I Apply on Floors? Is your most likely concern when you’re in the middle of any home maintenance or new addition project or even are just planning on something similar.

Oil-based Polyurethane, thanks to its thicker formula, does not require more than 3 coats and there is rarely even an essential requirement of 3 coats, as well.

The rest of the conditions of Polyurethane application vary on the basis of the type of flooring being used and at times, the kind of finish required, as well.

Distinguishing Between The Types Of Polyurethane

Another crucial aspect regarding how many coats of polyurethane on floors is essential is the type of Polyurethane being used. The two main types of Polyurethane are

  • Oil Based (Contains 40-45% solids, more VOCs)
  • Water-Based (Contains 30-35% solids, less VOCs)

Which Type of Polyurethane Is Best

In the first place, you can’t really have a winner-declaring Bottom line for the two, due to the fact that both types are utilized for various distinctive purposes. However, 

When it comes to durability, Oil-based Polyurethane is a more suitable choice 

On the other hand, water-based Polyurethane has its significance in being more environment-friendly due to the lower extent of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

How Many Coats Of Oil-Based Polyurethane For Hardwood Floors

Oil-based Polyurethane, thanks to its thicker formula, does not require more than 3 coats and there is rarely even an essential of 3 coats, as well.

Oil-based Polyurethane is quite thicker so less than 3 coats on the floor(s) are the most likely to work fine.

See Also: Things to Know Before Refinishing Hardwood Floors

How Many Coats Of Water Based Polyurethane On Floor

Water-based Polyurethane comes with a relatively thin formula and so there is a major requirement for the application of up to 4 to 5 coats.

Water-based Polyurethane is likely to increase the wood grain, therefore an adequate 4 to 5 layered coating is necessary for obtaining an even finish.

How Long To Wait Between Coats Of Polyurethane

How Long To Wait Between Coats Of Polyurethane

The time between coats of polyurethane varies according to the type of Polyurethane:

  • For Water-Based Polyurethane: The water-based polyurethane drying time between coats is 2 to 4 hours, in general. So, well ensure the passage of this time before going for the second coat application. 
  • For Oil-Based Polyurethane: About 10 to 24 hours is the required time between coats of polyurethane when you are dealing with the oil-based one. Wait for as much as possible before having another coating. 

See Also: How Long Polyurethane Take to Dry

A Quick Overview 

There are certain differences between the working of the two versions of Polyurethane

[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-check-1″ cons_icon=”icon icon-check-1″ show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Oil-based Polyurethane ” cons_title=”Water-based Polyurethane ” ][i2pros]Requires the application of up to 3 coats
Takes time in drying and gets darker with time
Is only for dark colored floors
Sanding is crucial between the coatings
Lambs wool applicator is the best tool to use[/i2pros][i2cons]Requires the application of up to 5 coats
Dries quickly and does not change color
Can be used on all colored floors
Sanding is not that necessary between the coatings
T-bar (snowplow) is the best applicator to use[/i2cons][/i2pc]

Is Sanding Necessary Between Coats Of Polyurethane

Sanding between the coats of Polyurethane is an essential step to take care of. Although this does not strengthen the bond among two coats, it still has a lot of benefits, such as:

  • Gives off a smooth and even finish
  • Smoothes out any of the dust and dirt particles present in between
  • Helps get rid of all the imperfections before the application of another coating7
  • Eliminates brush strokes and drip marks

FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions 

How Many Coats Of Polyurethane Is Necessary For Hardwood Floors?

At least three coats of Polyurethane (oil-based) work pretty enough for hardwood floors. Hardwood floors generally don’t require a lot of finishing and thus three Polyurethane coats are quite sufficient. Besides, if you’re using the water-based one, try going for as much as 5 layers.

Do 2 Coats Of Polyurethane Work Fine?

2 coats of Polyurethane, in general, are quite sufficient for giving the floors a smooth and even finish and also work appropriately as a barrier against pollutants and microbes. Besides, if you want more resistance to water damage, you can always go for as many as 4 layers.

When To Walk On Polyurethane Wood Floors?

As soon as the wet finish signs begin to go away, the Polyurethane floors are quite ready to be stepped on. The minimum time required in this regard is 2 hours and the maximum extent is 24 hours. Therefore, letting the Polyurethane dry for the maximum time is what ensures the finest finish.

For How Long Should Refinished Floors Be Left To Cure?

Refinished floors must be allowed to cure for at least 48 hours so as to step on them with socks. As for walking with shoes and bringing back all furniture and other stuff, it’s recommended that you wait for at least 4 days, in order to not cause any damage to the freshly finished floor(s).

How Many Coats Of Polyurethane Make Hardwood Waterproof?

Hardwood isn’t totally waterproof neither the Polyurethane makes it so, rather it serves as a protective layer against moisture and scratch damage. And for achieving this, a high-grade Polyurethane is recommended to be applied thrice atop the hardwood surface.

What Causes The Whitening Of Polyurethane?

Moisture buildup and insufficient stirring of the Polyurethane before applying are the two major causes of the appearance of white spots after sanding. The best way to prevent this is to draw out all the moisture and thoroughly sand all the high spots.

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