Varnish

What varnish is best for wooden floors?

Polyurethane is one of the most popular finish for wood floors, available in oil-based and water-based formulations, that you can buy at Rawlins Paints. It is extremely tough which makes it ideal for floors that are walked on frequently, such as gymnasiums, dance floors, sports centres, wherever a hard-wearing finish is required, protecting wood surfaces from scratches.

We also stock alternatives including acrylic varnish and plant-based formulas.

Can you varnish wood floors without sanding?

There are chemicals on the market that prepare a floor without sanding, but for the best results our manufacturers recommend sanding the surface before application.

How do you varnish a wooden floor?

Once the surface has been suitably prepared in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, wood floor varnish should typically be applied in a thin layer, brushed or rollered in the direction of the grain. When using products that require multiple coats, leave enough time for the first coat to dry, and lightly sand if required before recoating.

All of our wood floor varnishes have Product Data Sheets available from the Data Sheets tab on the product page, which detail the application process for varnishing wood floors.

Is floor varnish waterproof?

Our wood floor varnishes are water resistant, meaning liquids can be spilt or walked in and then cleaned up quickly without causing much harm.

Should I wax or varnish floorboards?

Varnishing your wood floors provides them with a hard-wearing protection layer on top of the wood, preventing damage from bumps and scrapes. Varnishes will provide more protection than waxes, but you must sand off the old protective layer before re-varnishing a surface.

How often should you varnish a wood floor?

Most varnishes will last on a wood floor for many years before re-varnishing is required, but it really depends on the amount of foot traffic the surface has seen.