On a new maple hardwood floor, should I use a oil or water based polyurethane?

I have been getting the run around on which is better.On a new maple hardwood floor, should I use a oil or water based polyurethane?
It depends on what you want. Oil-based poly is the toughest finish out there. Most resistant to damage. Water-based poly is not as tough as oil-based but it's still up there in terms of strength and resistance to damage. There are 3 things to consider when deciding which one to use. I already described the first one. The second one is drying time. Oil-based takes quite a bit longer to dry. This can result in dust accumulating on the floor as it's drying. Also, you'll obviously have to wait longer before you can walk on it. The most important reason though in deciding which one to use is color. Water-based poly is the ONLY finish on the market that will dry completely clear. There is NO OTHER finish on the market; not varnish, not shellac, not oil-based poly that will dry clear. ALL finishes other than water-based poly will have some varying degree of an amber tone to them. If your wood is not stained for example and you want it to have the exact color it has in it's raw state, use water-based. All other finishes will give the wood an amber (yellowish orange-colored) tone to the wood. I've been making furniture for years. I deal with finishes all the time. By the way... I should have said there are 4 things to consider. Water-based poly doesn't stink too much. Oil-based poly has very strong fumes, so you'll need very good ventilation if you use that one.On a new maple hardwood floor, should I use a oil or water based polyurethane?
I would suggest you use a two pot epoxy for a really hard wearing surface.
Check out Trek Plus, which has aluminum oxide. You want an experienced pro to apply it.





http://www.lastnlast.com/CDtrekplus.html
First of all please understand that there are wide ranges of quality in both finishes. You get what you pay for and if you value your floor I suggest going with the best finish you can get. There are some water base finishes that use a catalyst and dry to a very hard and tough finish. They run about $120 a gallon. I wouldn't use anything less, they just don't hold up. Oil based finishes take longer to dry and have a very strong odor that can make you dizzy, however they can be a little cheaper. Sherwin Williams makes a moisture curing polyurethane for about $85 a gallon that many finishers swear by. I would stay away from the consumer products that are available at Home Depot.


Good luck!!!