Asked by: Hester Remba
hobbies and interests woodworking

What is satin finish polyurethane?

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Polyurethane is an oil-based resin finish that is commonly applied to wood flooring and furniture. It is actually the base ingredient for both satin and semigloss finishes, as well as many others. It is applied to wood furniture to give it a lustrous finish.


Just so, is satin finish polyurethane shiny?

Currently satin finish is in high demand and recommended most by professionals today. A “Satinfinish has a medium to low sheen/luster and hides dirt and scratches better than a gloss or high gloss polyurethane finish.

One may also ask, what are the different types of polyurethane finishes? Like paint, polyurethane comes in sheens, most commonly satin, semi-gloss and gloss. Sheen is a matter of personal preference. Varathane Polyurethane also offers a new matte finish.

Also to know, should I use satin or gloss polyurethane?

Polyurethane is applied to floors to give them a hard wearing and tough topcoat, as well as to furniture to give it a lustrous, shiny finish. The main difference in a satin vs a gloss finish is the amount of shine. Satin urethanes have more flattening paste to take the luster out, so you end up with less sheen.

Is semi gloss polyurethane more durable than satin?

Semi-gloss has a slightly higher luster level than satin. This means more light reflects off your floors. This gives a more formal feel that really highlights the beauty of hardwood. The higher gloss level of semi-gloss makes it slightly more durable than a satin finish.

Related Question Answers

Rufina Chertischev

Professional

How shiny is satin finish?

Satin finishes have a beautiful luster that is often described as appearing velvety. Satin is slightly less lustrous than semi-gloss, and can appear to be both flat and glossy, depending on the lighting in the room. Satin has a slightly higher sheen than eggshell, meaning that it is more reflective and more durable.

Gwendolyn Taradash

Professional

What is the best clear coat for wood?

The most common types are lacquer, shellac, polyurethane, varnish and wax. Generally applied with a brush. Varnishes are very durable but are slow to dry, making them susceptible to dust and dirt. Shellac is a fast-drying natural resin that may need to be thinned before applying.

Dayong Adjemoff

Professional

What is the best polyurethane?

The Minwax Water Based Oil-Modified Polyurethane is the best polyurethane because its great for anything you need to coat around your home. Its water based so it produces less fumes and cleans up easily with warm water. Its also a great polyurethane because its available in gloss, semi-gloss and satin sheens.

Yuqi Sobha

Explainer

Is there a matte finish polyurethane?

Polyurethane isn't exactly the most sophisticated wood finish, and it doesn't rub out as well as lacquer or shellac. If you want to transform the sheen from high gloss to satin or matte, then using a hardening oil such as tung oil is a good way to do it.

Ioannis Kester

Explainer

Which is better oil based or water based polyurethane?

COLOR: Oil based poly has an amber hue, whereas water based poly is clear. An oil based polyurethane will continue to amber and darken over time, while water based poly will remain clear for the lifetime of the hardwood floor. Water based poly dries much faster, and several coats (up to 4) can be applied in one day.

Reynaldo Thielking

Explainer

What is a satin finish on wood?

The finished look is smooth. Satin—A satin finish, on the other hand, delivers more shine than a matte, but it is still not high shine. The completed look is more reflective and draws the eye to reflected lighting. Satin finishes can have a somewhat pearl look to them, even when completely dry.

Era Dharuna

Pundit

Is water based polyurethane shiny?

Oil based polyurethane looks better.
It has a more depth - both in color and shine and it looks the way we expect hardwood to look. Water based polyurethane has both a duller color and a duller finish. The water based polyurethane (left) is lighter and duller than the oil based poly on the right.

Deidra Tolboev

Pundit

How many coats of polyurethane should I apply?

There needs to be 3 coats of Polyurethane applied, especially if you are using an oil-based finish. The first coat should be mixed with mineral spirits. This acts as a sealer and provides a barrier between the wood and the oil finish you are using. A bristle brush is needed to apply the coats.

Ginny Gayazov

Pundit

Can you roll on polyurethane?

Yes, you can use a paint roller to apply polyurethane. Polyurethane is easily applied with a paint brush or roller and dries quickly. Applying the material with a roller eliminates brush strokes and lines and prevents over-applying the material.

Zhihong Babaskin

Pundit

What kind of roller should I use for polyurethane?

Roller Choices
One of the more significant challenges to applying polyurethane is preventing lint and dust from getting mixed in to the final surface. Short fiber paint rollers and lambswool paint rollers will give a smooth finish to your hardwood floor.

Martin Scheiffele

Pundit

Does oil modified polyurethane yellow?

Both oil- and water-based polyurethane can be applied to latex/acrylic paint; however, oil-based polyurethane will create a yellow or amber hue, especially to light colors. To add durability without affected color, use a water-based finish.

Mouhamed Pachmann

Teacher

Is satin or gloss better for Wood?

Satin Paint Finish
It's not as shiny as gloss but not as matt as an eggshell finish. If you're aiming for a modern and contemporary interior, this would be a much better choice as opposed to gloss due to a matt finish complementing bold colours. A satin finish gives a clean and crisp look to the skirting boards.

Elian Houdart

Teacher

Do you sand the final coat of polyurethane?

Sand lightly with 240-grit sandpaper between coats, then let the last coat dry for at least 24 hours. This is standard practice with any wood finishing job, and is nothing out of the ordinary. That said, sanding bare wood beforehand to create a smooth foundation is key.

Unax Vilanova

Teacher

How much does Polyurethane cost?

This will cost more money initially, but it guarantees proper installation. Polyurethane can cost about $25 to $40 according to the size of the insulation package. Installation can be an additional $10 to $20 per hour of work.

Dessiree Penev

Teacher

How do you apply polyurethane without brush marks?

A light coating of finish after sanding disguises the area.
  1. Sand down the brush marks lightly with the fine-grit sandpaper.
  2. Brush the sanded area off with a soft cloth to remove all traces of dirt and grit from the sanding.
  3. Apply the polyurethane finish lightly to the brush, making sure to wipe off any extra.

Domenec Salzborn

Reviewer

Is 2 coats of polyurethane enough?

The sanding of coats in-between is to give the new coat something to adhere to. It roughs up the surface just enough to give it a bit of grip. Multiple coats is the same as anything else. Multiple coats makes the coating thicker, stronger and more lustrous.

Madlena Bowles

Reviewer

How long does water based polyurethane last?

For oil based poly, it usually takes 30 days to fully cure. But, with water based poly, the curing time can be cut down to 2 weeks. While you can walk on the floors much sooner (often after 24 hrs), the floors are still vulnerable during the curing process, and that means they can scratch much more easily.

Rodaina Dresen

Reviewer

What is the hardest polyurethane finish?

Moisture-cured urethane is considered one of the hardest finishes available, but also has one of the highest VOC's. Because it dries so fast, it's difficult to apply, so it's not recommended for DIY'ers.

Imrane Fein

Reviewer

Is polyurethane a good finish?

One key to a good polyurethane finish is a smooth surface, because your finish will only be as smooth as your wood Sand your project with progressively finer grits of sandpaper. Paper with a higher grit number removes the deeper scratches left by paper with a lower numbered grit.