What Is the Difference of Varnish & Floor Wax?

How Wood Varnish Works

• A floor varnish is basically a paint without the pigment. When applied to unfinished wood, it forms a glossy protective film that is moisture resistant, abrasion resistant and scratch resistant. Most professionally treated hardwood floors are finished with an oil-based varnish, but water-based polyurethane varnishes are gaining in popularity because of their faster dry time. Water based varnishes also emit less pollutants into the air.

How Floor Wax Works

• The better paste floor waxes are formulated using a blend of carnuba wax and beeswax, plus a natural solvent to speed dry times. When applied to previously unfinished wood, a floor wax penetrates below the wood's surface, filling the pores and hardening the top surface of the wood from within. It also forms a clear, thin veneer of moisture-resistant wax above the surface that provides a satiny shine.

Maintenance Requirements for Varnished Floors

• Barring extremely heavy foot traffic, a high-quality floor varnish will last 10 to 15 years or longer before it needs to be sanded down and replaced. In homes with less foot wear, a varnish will last for decades, although it may turn dark over time. For most people, routine maintenance consists of simple dusting and cleansing when needed, using a silicon-based wood cleaner such as Pledge or a gentle detergent like Murphy's Oil Soap.

Maintenance Requirements for Waxed Floors

• Most homeowners will elect to apply additional wax once the floor loses its original luster. That may be every three to six months in an area subject to a lots of walk-throughs. It will not be necessary to re-finish the entire floor, just the affected area. A new coating of floor wax can be blended in with a clean, lint-free cloth and either polished by hand or with a floor buffer. Repeated applications will eventually lead to a yellowy build-up of excess wax. When this occurs, the accumulated wax should be carefully removed and replaced with a new finish.

Environmental Considerations

• Nearly all varnishes contain greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere as the finish initially hardens. A varnish will continue emitting low levels of chemicals into the air for months after application, and that may be harmful for asthmatics and other chemically sensitive individuals. While some floor waxes contain petrochemical solvents and artificial fragrances, you can select from several varieties that are free of pollutants and other allergens.