Cleaning Polyurethane Coated Hardwood Floors

Those from the factory and those applied on site.

Cleaning polyurethane coated hardwood floors.

Polyurethane finished wood floors are more durable than the wax coatings of the past. However you still need to take special care when cleaning this type of floor as you can damage the floor or the coating if you re not careful. Polyurethane is a common coating for floors particularly hardwood floors and concrete floors. This reduces wear and tear and also adds a protective barrier that prevents water and moisture from seeping into the wood.

If the floor itself isn t worn or damaged you can restore the shiny gloss. Hardwood floors are costly and should be maintained properly. All polyurethane finishes are water resistant but flooring professionals advise using water sparingly if at all for cleaning. It pays to know what type of finish your hardwood flooring is coated with to ensure that you are cleaning it appropriately.

The gloss will wear and become dull over time. Hardwood floors generally will be topped with a layer of hard gloss varnish or shellac in the old days polyurethane today which protects the wood from moisture and damage. The former is usually the more durable of the two. Polyurethane hardwood floor finishes come in two varieties.

Modern hardwood floors are generally finished with a polyurethane or acrylic coating unless a different finish is requested for while older hardwood floors may be unfinished and only stained they have no surface seal or protective film.