• Floor wax protects against wear and tear.Modern asian inspired hallway with bamboo floors image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
  
  Hardwood flooring adds elegance and style to any home or office. Wax or finish provides protection against scuffs, scratches, wood rot and everyday wear and tear. The type of wax or finish you use on your wood flooring determines the level of protection your floor has as well as the time and effort needed for care and maintenance.
  
  

Urethane

• This hardwood floor finish contains three categories: oil-modified, moisture-cured and water-based. Oil-modified finishes create a durable finish, takes eight hours to dry and turns to a more amber color with age. Moisture-cured finishes provide the greatest moisture resistance and need professional application. Water-based finishes retain color well and can cost significantly more than the other types.
  
  

Penetrating Sealers

• Penetrating sealers offer the dual benefit of staining your wood floor as well as sealing it. Primarily solvent based, additional additives such as linseed oil improve drying time and hardness of the finish.
  
  

Paste Wax

• Paste wax, the oldest and perhaps the best, offers the most benefits over other finish types. This type of finish applies easily, costs the least, dries the fastest, repairs easily and--with proper care--lasts the longest.