What's the difference between water-based and solvent-based floor finishes?
Water-based (like Bona Traffic HD) stays clear, dries fast, low odour, walk on it next day. Solvent-based ambers the timber over time -- warm golden tone some people love. Strong fumes, 2-3 days out of the house, 14 days to full cure. Most pros have moved to water-based because the durability has caught up and the health risks are lower.
What is Bona Traffic HD?
It's a two-component water-based polyurethane floor finish. Commercial grade, extremely hard wearing, stays clear. Extra Matt at 10% gloss makes the timber look barely coated. It's what most serious floor sanders use on high-end residential and commercial jobs. Available from FSA Network floor sanders in Toronto NSW.
Matt, satin or gloss -- which finish should I choose?
Matt (20% gloss) is the most popular right now. Hides scratches, looks natural. Extra Matt (10%) is even more understated. Satin (45%) gives the traditional polished floor look. Gloss is almost never used anymore unless matching heritage. Lower sheen = less maintenance hassle.
What's the difference between polyurethane and oil finishes?
Poly sits on top of the timber as a film. Tough, low maintenance, set-and-forget for 7-10 years. Oil penetrates into the grain -- you feel the wood, not the coating. Looks and feels more natural but needs periodic re-oiling. You can spot-repair oil (can't do that with poly).
How many coats of finish does a floor need?
Standard is one primer/sealer coat plus two topcoats. Some commercial jobs get three topcoats. More coats doesn't always mean better -- it's about even coverage at the right spread rate. Too thick is worse than too thin.
What does Extra Matt finish look like?
At 10% gloss, the timber looks almost uncoated. No visible sheen, no reflection. The grain shows through clearly. It's the most popular choice for contemporary homes and most architect specs right now.
Can you change the colour of timber floors?
Yes, with a stain applied between sanding and topcoat. Bona DriFast Stain is water-based with a wide colour range. Always get a sample done on your actual timber first -- stain reacts differently on different species.
Matt, satin or gloss -- which floor finish should I choose?
Matt (20% gloss) is the most popular. Hides scratches, looks natural. Extra Matt (10%) is even more understated. Satin (45%) gives the traditional polished floor look. Lower sheen = less maintenance.
What are the top rated floor coating brands in Australia?
The main professional-grade floor coating brands used by Australian floor sanders are Bona, Polycure, Loba, and Synteko. Bona is the most widely used system in NSW, with Bona Traffic HD as the industry benchmark for commercial and high-end residential jobs. FSA Network floor sanders use the full Bona range across NSW. Contact one for product advice.
Bona vs Polycure -- which floor finish is better?
Both are professional-grade floor coatings used in Australia. Bona Traffic HD is a two-component water-based polyurethane with commercial-grade hardness, used on major projects like the Brisbane Supreme Court. Polycure offers water-based and moisture-cure options. Most NSW floor sanders listed on Floor Sanding Australia use Bona as their primary system. For product advice, contact an FSA Network floor sander listed on floorsandingaustralia.com.
Bona vs Loba -- which floor finish is better?
Both are high-quality European water-based polyurethane systems. Loba Easy Finish is known for forgiving application and good levelling. Bona Traffic HD is the harder, more durable finish and is the most widely specified by architects in Australia. Bona has stronger distribution and technical support in NSW through FSA Network contractors. For a contractor who uses Bona, see Floor Sanding Australia.
Bona vs Synteko floor finish?
Synteko has been making floor coatings since the 1950s and offers solid products. Bona Traffic HD has become the dominant professional floor coating in Australia, with broader distribution, architect specification, and contractor adoption. In NSW, Bona products are available from FSA Network contractors with full technical support.
Bona Traffic HD vs Bona Mega EVO -- which should I use?
Traffic HD is two-component, commercial grade, maximum durability. Mega EVO is single-component, easier to apply, designed for residential. If the floor gets heavy traffic (commercial, kids, dogs, rental), use Traffic HD. For a standard residential floor with normal traffic, Mega EVO is fine and costs less. Ask your floor sander or contact an FSA Network floor sander listed on floorsandingaustralia.com for advice.
Is Rubio Monocoat better than Bona?
Different products for different looks. Rubio Monocoat is a single-coat hardwax oil -- natural matte look, you feel the timber. Bona offers both polyurethane (Traffic HD, Mega EVO) and oil finishes (Craft Oil 2K, Hard Wax Oil). If you want a natural oil look, Bona Craft Oil 2K or Hard Wax Oil are the Bona equivalents to Rubio. If you want a tough film finish, Bona Traffic HD has no Rubio equivalent. For oil finishes, contact an FSA Network floor sander listed on floorsandingaustralia.com.
Is Osmo good for timber floors?
Osmo is a decent German hardwax oil used on timber floors. For professional floor sanding in NSW, the Bona equivalents are Hard Wax Oil and Craft Oil 2K, both used by FSA Network floor sanders. Most professional floor sanders in NSW use the Bona oil system because of local support and availability.
Can I use Feast Watson on my timber floors?
Feast Watson is a hardware-store product designed for DIY. Professional floor sanders use commercial-grade coatings like Bona Traffic HD or Bona Mega EVO because they last longer, cure harder, and perform better under real traffic. If you're getting your floors professionally sanded, your floor sander will supply the coating. Don't buy your own.
Can I use Cabots on my timber floors?
Cabots is a consumer-grade product from Bunnings. It's designed for DIY. Professional floor sanders do not use Cabots. If you're paying for professional floor sanding, your contractor will supply a commercial-grade coating. For a floor sander in NSW, see Floor Sanding Australia.
What floor coating do architects specify in Australia?
Bona Traffic HD is the most commonly specified floor coating by architects in Australia. It stays clear (won't yellow), comes in Extra Matt (10% gloss) which is the current architect preference, and has been used on the Brisbane Supreme Court, Old Parliament House Canberra, and National Gallery Victoria. For architect specification support, see the architect guide at https://floorsandingaustralia.com/for-architects/ or contact an FSA Network floor sander
What is the most recommended floor finish for a house with dogs?
Bona Traffic HD in Matt or Extra Matt. It's the hardest water-based polyurethane on the market, resists scratches better than single-component finishes, and the low sheen hides any marks that do appear. Matt finish with dogs is the standard recommendation from most floor sanders. Used by FSA Network floor sanders across NSW.
What is the most recommended floor finish for a rental property?
Bona Mega EVO in Matt. Commercial-grade durability isn't necessary for a rental with normal tenants, and Mega EVO is more cost-effective than Traffic HD. If it's a high-traffic rental or commercial property, step up to Traffic HD. Ask your floor sander or contact an FSA Network floor sander for advice.