Varnish

• Varnish is one variety of form-filling wood finish, which means that it covers the top of the wood surface instead of penetrating it. Varnish can be applied by spray or brush and protects against heat, solvents and water, making it a very resilient finish. It also delivers a glossy finishing effect to your wood floor.
  
  

Lacquer

• This film-forming wood finish is generally applied via spray; brush-on options exist, but are uncommon. Lacquer will provide your wood flooring with a dark finishing effect, it is also long-lasting and resilient.
  
  

Acrylic Urethane

• Compared to other wood-finishing products, acrylic urethane gives off a fainter scent. Another benefit is that the excess can be easily removed from your flooring with soap and water. The form-filling wood finish can be applied by brush or spray and dries quickly.
  
  

Catalyzed Clear Topcoat

• Catalyzed clear topcoat is a spray-on finish that will provide your wood flooring with protection. This finish, a common choice for professionals, is similar to varnish in terms of durability.
  
  

Shellac

• This is a film-forming wood finish that comes in a variety of colors, but generally delivers a dark finishing effect for your flooring. Shellac is a natural resin that is partially made from alcohol. It is a brush-on wood finish that dries rapidly.
  
  

Water-Based Wood Finish

• Water-based finishes come in two varieties: if it contains urethane, it is called polyurethane; if it is partly made of acrylic resin, it is known as water-based lacquer. Polyurethane is generally the better option for tough, durable and scratch-resistant wood flooring.
  
  

Penetrating Wood Finish

• Penetrating wood finishes, such as linseed oil and tung oil, penetrate the wood as they work, as opposed to form-filling woods that remain on the surface. An advantage of this type of finish is that any excess can simply be wiped away from the wood floor.