This is the professional name for the finish coat. There are two main types of polyurethane. The more traditional is the oil base, and the other is water based. Today, most of the finish applications are water based. Some buildings do not permit the use of oil base. The advantages of a water base finish are: It dries fast and enables the refinishing process to be completed faster by applying several coats per day. It is environmentally friendly and there are no toxic fumes (This is especially important if you have children or pets). The finish is clear, so most people prefer it rather than the yellowish orange tone of oil based polyurethane. Oil based is considered more durable, but it is possible to apply several coats of water-based polyurethane in order to make it more durable. There are some very durable water finishes available. The only reason to use oil based polyurethane is if you prefer the darker tone (sometimes preferred in traditional or country style designs). You should also select how shiny you would like your floor. The options are high gloss, gloss, semi-gloss, and satin.
