The best coating for hardwood floor

[maarass]

Hi all, I have hardwood flooring in foyer/din.rm./hall/office in my new construction home. So far they did stain, and 2 coats of satin poly. It looks nice, but was wondering if making the final coat of poly a semi. Floor guy has no problem doing it but cautions that he can't garentee wear on it. I guess cause of traffic patterns. Cracking and chipping and everything else is still covered. I would like a little bit more shine though. Any thoughts on meking the last coat a semi ?

[Dragon]

You will notice high traffic areas much sooner, making the entire floor look bad.

[bkrahmer]

I'm curious to why they would use two base coats of poly in anything but the highest gloss. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the base coats of satin will be slightly cloudier than they could have been.

[maarass]

Thanks for all the replies. They used the satin because it's mostly what they use. I guess it their experience, anything shineier will show wear, but whatever the customer wants. I really have no problem with it as I agreed to go with the satin. I'll be using runners in the high traffic areas. Just wondering if the last coat of semi would make it a little shinier or will it wear more seeing as the first two coast were satin ?

[bkrahmer]

My point was that regardless of what your finish coat is, gloss, semi or satin, the base coats should have been done with gloss. That should give the clearest overall finish. Probably not a big deal, but it would be a question I would ask. They were probably just being lazy...

[maarass]

Oh I see what you mean. I don't know why they did it that way. I didn't think to ask at the time. I just took their advice to go with the satin. Well, I could have the 3rd coat still be semi, but now worried that the first two coat of satin will show through when the top coat of semi wears.

[Sweep]

...but now worried that the first two coat of satin will show through when the top coat of semi wears.[/quote]

That will not happen.

[maarass]

Thanks for the reply. Glad to hear it wont effect anything, but what's the point of doing everything in semi then ? If I decide to make the top coat semi instead of satin, what are the concerns if any ? Again thanks for the info.

[Sweep]

You should be asking an experienced floor finisher but I know glossy is the hardest finish and satin/semi are softer. I don't know why satin was used for the base coats or if it makes a difference in durability but the finish coat should be selected for he finish you want to live with. I believe polyurethane completely bonds to a lower coat if it is placed in a limited window of time after installation of the lower coat, not too early or too late. Perhaps the satin provides a larger window of time or better bonding, just a guess. I wouldn't think there is enough difference between satin and semi-gloss to make any physical difference in the floor but it will look slightly different if there is enough light to see it. With typical house lighting I doubt anyone could tell the difference.

[maarass]

Thanks for the reply. I decided to stick with the satin for the third coat. Less likly to notice dust and wear I guess. I see commercials all the time with very glossy floors. They look real nice, but then you think of the upkeep and wear. Thanks again.