Moisture-Cured Urethane. Moisture-cured urethane is one of the toughest finishes available for wood floors.
Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane
It's one of the most durable coatings for wood protection against scratches, spills and more, and is a clear coat. It can be used on both finished and unfinished wood projects, and is available in a variety of sheens. The fast-drying formula allows for quick recoats in 3-4 hours.
Epoxy offers higher levels of rigidity and adhesion than polyurethane, making it better suited for harder surfaces.
Gloss paint is very resistant to wear and tear, and it is easy to clean and maintain. Additionally, gloss paint can be used on a variety of surfaces, including doors, trim, and cabinetry, making it a versatile choice for homeowners.
PolyVine Heavy Duty Floor Varnish. This is the hardest of all 'one pack' varnishes.
Varnishes provide the toughest of finishes whilst oils provide ease of application, maintenance and the ability to easily patch repair and restore areas of wear.
While it is similar to varnish in terms of application and appearance, polyurethane is generally harder and more abuse resistant, which means it is commonly used for sealing wood floors. It's less flexible than varnish, so it may not be the best choice to use on wood pieces that move or flex.
Moisture-Cured Urethane. Moisture-cured urethane is one of the toughest finishes available for wood floors.
A semi-gloss finish will offer maximum durability, will be more stain and scuff resistant, plus, it's a breeze to clean.
The answer is wiping varnish. It's a versatile finish that is thin enough to wipe on, but dries hard even when applied in thicker coats. This allows me to build the finish quickly, then end with thin coats that give me just the look I want. My brand of choice is Waterlox, a tung-oil-based varnish.
One way to increase the hardness of a flexible polyurethane foam at constant density is to increase the degree of crosslinking in the foam network. This can in turn be achieved by various measures. First, it is possible to increase the isocyanate index.
In summary, polyurethane offers superior durability and protection, making it the better choice for high-use and outdoor applications. Lacquer provides a beautiful, glossy finish and is easier to repair, making it suitable for indoor furniture with lighter use.
Appearance. Varnishes and oils offer a natural-looking wood finish. Varnish, shellac, and lacquer are not easy to apply, but they do offer a deep and rich look. They will also deepen and darken over time.
Oil-based varnish tops the durability charts in terms of water-resistance. The secret lies in its synthetic resins which have been bonded to drying oils and mixed with a thinner. (Faster to cure, varnishes that use urethane for their resin—often labeled polyurethane—dominate the modern market and are easier to find.)
Shellac – Shellac is a varnish made from the resin of the lac bug. It is a softer finish that is often recommended for lighter-colored woods. It is also better for areas with high moisture and frequent wear, as it dries much faster than polyurethane.
Ronseal Stays White Ultra Tough Paint is a tough, durable wood paint that protects against everyday wear and tear.
Oil-based paint is one of the most popular types of paint for wood. It's durable and easy to apply, and it provides a beautiful, long-lasting finish. In addition, it dries slowly, so you'll have plenty of time to fix any mistakes.
Eggshell Paint
Eggshell finish, perennially popular with professional and DIY painters alike, has a low-sheen reminiscent of flat or matte, but it is infinitely more durable than its namesake.
Overall a very dull appearance unless burnished to a high sheen. Once applied, wax is very difficult to remove. Protection of the wood surface is minimal.
In general polys offer good durability; they are not as tough as epoxy but they are far more durable than any wax. Aesthetically, poly's are perhaps the most versatile as they can be matte, glossy, or anywhere in between. One rule of thumb is that the higher the sheen, the higher the durability.
POLYURETHANE. Polyurethane is the most common clear wood finish choice for refinishing furniture. Chemically it's made with an acrylic (plastic) resin. It's relatively inexpensive, easily applied and extremely durable.
Oil varnish:
Hard resins such as amber, copal etc are used which makes this type of varnish most durable.