Over the past few years, we have completely phased out oil based stain and polyurethane. We now only use Duraseal Quick Coat Penetrating Stains, Pallman and Bona non-toxic water based polyurethane. Here's why:

1 Water based polyurethane is more durable than any oil based polyurethane. The Pall-X 96 polyurethane we use is formulated for heavy residential and commercial traffic. 

2. Water based polyurethane is non-toxic, has low or no VOCs and does not have a strong odor. Oil based poly releases strong fumes and high VOCs.

3. Floors that once took 3 to 4 days to refinish with oil based poly are now completely finished in 1 or 2 days using water based polyurethane.

4. Three coats of water based poly can be applied on the same day. Each coat of oil based poly has to dry at least overnight.  Dark stain colors take two days for the first coat to dry and 1 day for each additional coat of poly to dry.

5. Water based poly cures to its most durable hardness in as little as 8 days.  Oil based poly is still "soft" for at least 30 days. 

6. Pallman waterbased finishes have UV protection to keep your finish from fading.

7. Pallman waterbased polyurethane has excellent resistance to chemicals.  Oil based polyurethane is susceptible to damage when exposed to chemicals.

8. Water based poly does not turn orange as it ages. The color you select stays true over time.

9. Repairs to floors with oil based poly are obvious due to the fact that oil based poly changes color over time.  Newer applications of oil based poly are much lighter than the surrounding, aged polyurethane.  Repairs can be matched to existing floor easily with water based polyurethane.

10. Water based polyurethanes enhance the natural look of the wood.  The texture of the  wood is not masked with a thick layer of plastic – which is essentially what oil based polyurethane becomes once it is cured.