Polyurethane varnish is a synthetic varnish that offers the best of both worlds in terms of durability and clarity. It dries quickly, resists yellowing, and protects against moisture and wear. However, polyurethane varnish is more expensive than other types of varnish.
Gloss varnish is universally the most hard wearing, a topcoat of Matt varnish will kill the shine if you dislike it without ruining the durability.
Polyurethane Varnish
It's commonly used for furniture, cabinetry, and flooring. Pros: Highly durable.
Polyvine Heavy Duty Extreme Varnish (Strongest Top Coat)
PolyVine Heavy Duty Floor Varnish. This is the hardest of all 'one pack' varnishes.
Many woodworkers choose polyurethane as a go-to finish simply for its familiarity. Easy to apply, it looks good on a variety of woods and provides plenty of protection.
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.
Oil varnish:
Hard resins such as amber, copal etc are used which makes this type of varnish most durable.
Polyurethane works better on wooden surfaces that are indoors. While varnish is durable and inexpensive, it's best suited for softer woods. Polyurethane dries quicker and requires fewer coats but won't hold up in the outdoors. You'll need to use personal protective equipment when applying both products.
Polyurethane varnishes are typically hard, abrasion-resistant, and durable coatings.
Moisture-cured urethane is one of the toughest finishes available for wood floors. Originally designed for bowling alleys, this finish is known for its extreme durability and high-gloss appearance. It resists moisture, scratches, stains, and general wear, making it ideal for high-traffic areas and homes with pets.
While lacquer is generally more durable than varnish, it is not immune to scratches and discolouration over time. Therefore, keeping an eye on it is recommended, mainly if the lacquered door is in a high-traffic area. However, if you do notice fading or other signs of wear and tear, don't worry.
Epoxy offers higher levels of rigidity and adhesion than polyurethane, making it better suited for harder surfaces.
Water-based varnish is a good choice for indoor furniture or other projects with a clear finish that will not yellow over time. Polyurethane varnish is a synthetic varnish that offers the best of both worlds in terms of durability and clarity. It dries quickly, resists yellowing, and protects against moisture and wear.
Polyurethane wood finishes are synthetic coatings that are highly durable and water resistant, making them the best clear coat for wood protection.
Linseed oil provides protection, allows the wood to retain moisture and does not shrink. Unlike varnish, which coats wood with a hard surface, linseed soaks into the pores of the wood. Because it soaks into the wood so well, the natural surface of the wood is retained.
Just about every professional varnish applicator will cringe at the thought, but many will say a foam brush will be suitable on the sealer coats or on some build coats—but the final coats should always be with a high-quality, natural bristle brush.
Sealers are best recommended for any types of surface while varnish is a lot better for indoor woods where there is minimal chance of moisture or high humidity. It is best recommended for laundry room, bathroom, or kitchen cabinets.
Too thick is bad, for the varnish will not cure properly. It will skin over on the surface, stay gummy beneath, and the surface skin will eventually wrinkle and become ugly. Don't let this happen. Varnish cures (dries) by a chemical reaction with the oxygen in the air.
"As long as they are good quality, both oil and varnish provide reliable protection. Oil looks more natural than varnish, however, while matt varnish can have a very subtle effect and it can actually be hard to tell the difference between it and oil.
Wood polish is a wax, perhaps with a bit of color tint and perhaps a little solvent to make it softer. It easily wears off. Varnish is a hard film that permanently covers whatever it's applied to. It's relatively permanent, in that it can last years under normal wear.
Varathane® Triple Thick Polyurethane is 3X thicker than a traditional polyurethane. It is an advanced self leveling formula that allows projects to be completed in one coat while offering excellent scratch and stain resistance. It also provides fast dry times as well as the convenience of soap and water clean-up.
Limited UV Protection: The UV resistance of varnish is not as effective as modern alternatives like UV-resistant wood stains or protective coatings. Environmental Concerns: Traditional varnishes contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other potentially harmful chemicals.