Moisture-Cured Urethane. Moisture-cured urethane is one of the toughest finishes available for wood floors.
Epoxy offers higher levels of rigidity and adhesion than polyurethane, making it better suited for harder surfaces.
In fact, oil-based varnish is the most durable finish that can be easily applied by the average woodworker. Varnish surpasses most other finishes in its resistance to water, heat, solvents and other chemicals.
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.
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.
So, hickory is generally harder and more durable than oak. However, oak is more resistant to dents and scratches.
Hickory is the hardest, commercially available common wood. Next in line are pecan, hard maple and white oak. Hardwood includes wood like hickory, oak, mahogany, maple and walnut.
The most expensive type of wood depends on its rarity, demand, and quality. Some of the costly woods include African blackwood, agarwood, and snakewood. Agarwood is the most expensive due to its unique resin and cultural significance.
Aluminum oxide finishes are among the most durable and scratch-resistant finishes available, providing a protective barrier that helps prevent scratches, scuffs, and dents.
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.
Iroko, Oak, Western Red Cedar, Cherry, Maple and heat-treated woods are just a few examples of timber that boast excellent dimensional stability and high resistance to shrinking and warping in the face of moisture.
Polyurethane wood finishes are synthetic coatings that are highly durable and water resistant, making them the best clear coat for wood protection.
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.
While several varieties of wood may be affordable, softwoods emerge as the most inexpensive choice, particularly types like pine, spruce, and fir. These woods are abundant, easily harvested, and versatile, making them ideal choices for diverse applications, including table top construction.
Hickory (1820), the hardest of commonly available hardwoods, boasts a tensile strength that rivals steel.
#1 Grade: When appearance becomes more of a factor, #1 Grade will contain smaller, fewer, sound, tight knots and have less wane than found in #2 Grade. Keep in mind, that with the introduction of Prime grades, #1 Grade no longer contains some of the better grades that used to be included.
Hickory's density does make it challenging to install. Solid, unfinished hickory flooring's pros may be exceeded by its cons for anyone other than hardwood flooring professionals. The hardness makes cutting and sanding a bit challenging, and the dense grain further complicates staining and finishing efforts.
Oak is hard, durable, and resists dents, Maple (Soft and Hard) has a bending strength that varies between 13,400 and 15,800 psi, In my experience, a standard 1" cane in either Oak or Hickory will support almost anyone.
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.
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.
Ronseal Stays White Ultra Tough Paint is a tough, durable wood paint that protects against everyday wear and tear.