The Best Water-Based Polyurethanes to Protect Floors Throughout Your Home

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Water-Based Polyurethanes to Protect Floors Throughout Your Home and hope the blog can help you.

To add a durable finish to flooring without a lot of muss and fuss, quick-drying, water-based polyurethanes are the way to go.

Hardwood floors add beauty and value to a home, but they’re expensive and can be hard to maintain with both low and high foot traffic. That being said, you’ll want to treat them like the investment they are. Whether made of oak, bamboo, maple, or a variety of other species and materials, your hardwood floors need protection—and that comes from the best water-based polyurethane.

With so many flooring finishes on the market, though, it can be difficult to decide which is the right one for your particular situation. Knowing which product will last the longest is a challenge, but we assembled this guide to help. We also spoke to flooring experts who lent us their in-depth knowledge on the best ways to protect wood floors. We cover the top considerations to keep in mind and review some of the best options currently on the market.

1. BEST OVERALL: General Finishes High-Performance Water-Based Topcoat
2. RUNNER-UP: Minwax Water-Based Oil-Modified Polyurethane
3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Minwax Polycrylic Protective Clear Finish Topcoat
4. UPGRADE PICK: Bona Mega Polyurethane Wood Floor Finish
5. BEST HIGH-TRAFFIC: Varathane Water-Based Clear Gloss Polyurethane
6. BEST FOR SUNNY ROOMS: Minwax Helmsman Water-Based Spar Urethane
7. BEST COVERAGE: Rust-Oleum Parks Pro Finisher Clear Polyurethane
8. BEST FOR LIGHT FLOORS: Minwax Ultimate Floor Finish

How We Chose the Best Water-Based Polyurethanes for Floors 

To get a better understanding of what specifically to look for, we interviewed Rotem Eylor, the CEO and Founder of Republic Flooring based in California. He says that “flooring that is lighter in color, like light wood floors, are better suited for water-based polyurethane because it dries more clear and won’t darken the appearance of the color.” His advice to shoppers is to “Consider the lightness of the floor, how fast you need it to dry, your experience with using water-based polyurethane, maintenance upkeep and cost. Generally it is more expensive than oil based.”

With this in mind, we researched the most sought-after water-based polyurethanes for floors in their respective categories. During our research, we discovered that the best options are determined by their coverage, finishes, ease of application, curing time, and the other special features included with top brands.

As we searched for the best water-based polyurethane for floors, we found that the most popular products among users provided between 62 and 600 square feet of coverage area in matte, flat, ultra-flat, crystal-clear, semi-gloss, and gloss finishes. Additionally, our top picks are easy to apply with a brush, roller, or staining pad.

While most of these top floor finishes require multiple coats, each has a fast curing time of 2 to 24 hours (although one does take 7 days to fully cure) for a scratch-, abrasion-, and scuff-resistant finish, even in high-traffic areas. Plus, select picks are safe for indoor/outdoor use, contain ultraviolet (UV) blockers, are no-odor or low-VOC formulas, or are eco-friendly.

Our Top Picks

This lineup of the best water-based polyurethane products for floors includes some of the best options on the market in a variety of categories. Keep reading through for more information on high-quality polyurethane floor finishes, as well as the shopping considerations to keep in mind when comparing them.

Best Overall

General Finishes High-Performance Water-Based Topcoat

Product Specs 

• Coverage area: 500 to 600 square feet per gallon
• Finishes: Satin, flat, gloss, dead flat, and semi-gloss
• Ease of application: Easy
• Curing time: 21 days

Pros

• Durable enough to take wear and tear while protecting hardwood floors
• UV stabilizer prevents yellowing and keeps light-colored floors looking great
• Multiple sizes and finishes allow users to choose the best option for their needs
• Easy to apply, allowing users to finish or repair floors without hiring a professional

Cons

• Not suitable for outdoor applications; must be used only on interior wood surfaces

For a hard, durable polyurethane, check out General Finishes high-performance water-based topcoat. This finish, available in gallon, pint, or quart sizes, contains a UV stabilizer to protect the coating from intense UV rays on the floor’s surface and prevent yellowing or ambering.

Applying General Finishes is a straightforward process. Simply use a synthetic or foam brush, staining pad, or roller with a smooth finish. Each coat dries in around 2 hours. General Finishes recommends applying this water-based polyurethane at a temperature no greater than 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 50 percent humidity. Keep in mind that it’s not suitable for outdoor applications, as this is an indoor-only polyurethane.

Get the General Finishes water-based polyurethane at Amazon or Walmart.

Runner-Up

Minwax Water-Based Oil-Modified Polyurethane

Product Specs 

• Coverage area: 500 square feet (per gallon), 125 to 150 square feet (per quart)
• Finishes: Gloss, semi-gloss, and satin
• Ease of application: Easy
• Curing time: Up to 24 hours

Pros

• Eco-friendly water-based formula is oil-modified for durability with easy cleanup
• Can be applied with a roller or brush and at warmer temperatures than other products
• First coat dries in 2 hours, allowing users to apply an additional coat quickly

Cons

• Must apply in a well-ventilated area due to its oil-modified formula

For the superior durability of a traditional polyurethane along with the easy application and cleanup of a water-based formula, this water-based, oil-modified polyurethane from Minwax is durable yet still dries quickly and cleans up with warm water.

The Minwax water-based oil-modified polyurethane has a clear satin sheen, providing just a touch of gloss along with easy cleaning and maintenance. Ideally, apply it on a day no hotter than 77 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity at no more than 50 percent. To apply, simply use a synthetic bristle or foam brush, or a roller, and use thin coats.

Each coat should take 2 hours to dry, and Minwax suggests lightly sanding the first coat with 220-grit sandpaper, removing the dust, and applying a second coat. Floors coated with this Minwax product are ready for light foot traffic in 24 hours, furniture in 72 hours, and rugs can be put back in 7 days. Keep in mind that this is an oil-modified product, so it’s best to use in a well-ventilated area.

Get the Minwax oil-modified polyurethane at Amazon (1 gallon), Ace Hardware (1 quart), or Walmart (1 gallon).

Best Bang for the Buck

Minwax Polycrylic Protective Clear Finish Topcoat

Product Specs 

• Coverage area: 125 square feet (per quart)
• Finishes: Flat, ultra-flat, gloss, semi-gloss, and matte
• Ease of application: Moderate
• Curing time: Up to 24 hours

Pros

• Affordable price tag allows users to finish floors without a huge investment
• Low-odor formula means users may be less susceptible to headaches
• Easy to apply, even for tricky repairs and touch-up projects

Cons

• Requires 3 coats before the wood surface is completely protected from scuffs and wear and tear

Minwax’s polycrylic water-based topcoat offers an impressive protective finish for an affordable price. This product provides scratch resistance on interior wood surfaces that can be caused by foot traffic and other damage, yet it’s affordable enough to have on hand for touch-ups when needed.

This Minwax product has a satin finish with just the right amount of shine. Follow standard procedures to apply it by using a bristle or foam brush or a paint roller with a smooth sleeve. The first coat will dry within 2 hours, at which point Minwax suggests a light sanding and cleaning of the resulting dust.

After the appropriate number of coats have been applied (typically three, per Minwax), it hardens fully in just 24 hours. Cleanup is easy, requiring only warm water and a bit of soap.

Get Minwax polycrylic polyurethane at Amazon, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, or Walmart.

Upgrade Pick

Bona Mega Polyurethane Wood Floor Finish

Product Specs 

• Coverage area: 600 square feet
• Finishes: Gloss and semi-gloss
• Ease of application: Easy
• Curing time: 7 days

Pros

• Improved flow and leveling to make the product easier to apply
• Professional-grade finish that’s durable enough for high-traffic areas
• Contains low volatile organic (VOC) compounds to prevent reactions and headaches

Cons

• It does take up to 7 days to fully cure, which is a lot of time for many

DIYers who don’t mind spending more for worthwhile innovation may want to give Bona Mega wood floor finish a try. This product uses a special formula that reacts with oxygen differently from other polyurethanes. This formula flows and self-levels, making it easier to apply and improving its performance over some other products.

This water-based polyurethane dries between coats in 2 hours, and it fully cures in 7 days. It’s easy to apply with standard water-based polyurethane application methods, and it features improved flow, leveling, and build for a professional-grade finish.

Get the Bona water-based polyurethane at Amazon.

Best High-Traffic

Varathane Water-Based Clear Gloss Polyurethane

Product Specs 

• Coverage area: 400 to 500 square feet per gallon
• Finishes: Clear
• Ease of application: Easy
• Curing time: 24 hours

Pros

• Resists scuffs, abrasions, and scratches making it suitable for high-traffic locations
• Self-levels for easy application and non-yellowing for a finish that looks good longer
• No-odor formula dries to the touch in 1 hour for quick follow-up coats

Cons

• Only available in 2-can sets from some popular retailers, which could be too much for some DIYers

High-traffic areas are susceptible to scrapes, scratches, dulling, and other undesirable marks. This Varathane floor finish was designed to resist scuffs, abrasions, and scratches to help protect floors, yet it boasts a no-odor formula. It’s also easy to apply, thanks to its ability to self-level, and it won’t yellow.

This glossy, water-based polyurethane dries to a clear finish, which is often preferred in new flooring installations. Application requires the same basic steps and tools as other water-based products: Clean the surface, apply the product with a brush or roller, and allow it to dry between coats (which should take 2 hours, though it dries to the touch in 1 hour). Give it about 24 hours to completely cure.

Note: Some retailers only have this polyurethane in 2-gallon sets, which could be more than some DIYers need.

Get the Varathane water-based polyurethane for floors at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Best for Sunny Rooms

Minwax Helmsman Water-Based Spar Urethane

Product Specs 

• Coverage area: 500 square feet per gallon
• Finishes: Gloss, satin, and semi-gloss
• Ease of application: Moderate
• Curing time: 24 to 72 hours

Pros

• UV blockers prevent fading, yellowing, and damage to wood floors and other wood surfaces
• The moisture-resistant formula makes it suitable for indoor and outdoor applications
• Water-based, but it contains special oils that allow the finish to expand and contract

Cons

• Not specifically made for floors so it may require semi-frequent touch-ups

Sun streaming through large windows can wreak havoc on standard polyurethane floor finishes, but Minwax Helmsman water-based spar urethane can stand up to the intensity. This product’s built-in UV blockers are designed to reduce the graying and fading effects on any material it covers, including flooring.

The spar urethane applies just like a typical water-based polyurethane at an ideal condition of 77 degrees Fahrenheit and 50 percent relative humidity. Apply the coats with a brush or roller with a smooth cover. Each coat takes around 2 hours to dry, at which point light sanding and cleaning are required before adding another coat. After the final coat, the finished surface needs 24 to 72 hours before normal use. Keep in mind that this product is not specifically made for floors, so it may require more frequent touching-up than other products.

Get the Minwax Helmsman spar urethane for floors at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or Walmart.

Best Coverage

Rust-Oleum Parks Pro Finisher Clear Polyurethane

Product Specs 

• Coverage area: Up to 700 square feet per gallon
• Finishes: Satin, semi-gloss, and gloss
• Ease of application: Easy
• Curing time: 7 days (for 95 percent curing)

Pros

• Comes in easy-open and easy-pour 1-gallon jugs for user convenience
• Each jug can cover up to 700 square feet of flooring; suitable for large spaces
• Seals pores and self-levels to make application to a wood floor easier

Cons

• Requires 3 coats, but only 2 can be applied on the same day

DIY floor refinishers who want to get the most coverage from their polyurethane will want to consider Rust-Oleum Parks Pro Finisher water-based polyurethane. This protective coat comes in 1-gallon jugs that are easier to open and pour from than standard cans, and each jug can cover up to 700 square feet. It dries in as little as an hour, allowing the user to apply another coat sooner than oil-based finishes.

Pro Finisher polyurethane is designed to fill and seal the pores of hard and softwoods, protecting against chemicals and abrasions. It’s also nonyellowing, so users won’t have to strip and refinish their floors as often. It’s available in satin, semi-gloss, and gloss, with gloss being the more wear-resistant option. It does require a minimum of three coats, however, and only two coats should be applied the same day.

Get the Rust-Oleum water-based polyurethane at The Home Depot.

Best for Light Floors

Minwax Ultimate Floor Finish

Product Specs 

• Coverage area: 400 to 500 square feet per gallon
• Finishes: Gloss, satin, semi-gloss, and matte
• Ease of application: Easy
• Curing time: Up to 72 hours

Pros

• Provides a tough, durable finish that enhances light floors’ natural beauty
• Won’t amber over time, keeping light-colored wood floors looking their best
• Takes just 2 hours of drying time between coats and doesn’t require sanding

Cons

• It can be difficult to find, so be sure to order enough for the given application area

Finishing light-colored wood floors takes the right product to avoid ambering and allow the natural look to shine through—and Minwax Ultimate Floor Finish might be just the ticket. This water-based polyurethane hardwood floor finish features a special formula that creates a tough floor finish while also resisting ambering over time, an ideal combination for light wood floors.

Ultimate Floor Finish is easy to apply with a brush or roller. It dries enough for a second coat in 2 hours, and it doesn’t require sanding between coats. This means DIYers can finish the entire floor in one day. Each gallon can cover between 400 and 500 square feet of floor space, and total dry time is between 24 and 72 hours. The biggest challenge is that it can be hard to find anywhere but on Amazon right now, so make sure to order enough.