The Best Hardwood Sealers

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Murray
Published on
May 3rd, 2019

Expert BioExpert Bio

Ben’s formal training and certifications in cleaning include the ASD (Advanced Structural Drying), AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician),
WRT (Water restoration technician), CCT (Carpet Cleaning technician), and bio hazard cleanup, as well as several other certifications from the IICRC. Ben has managed teams involved in cleaning projects around the United States. Ben’s passion for cleaning dates all the way back to keeping his rugby gear tidy while a young lad. Ben holds an undergraduate degree from Oxford, a Master’s degree from Oxford, and a mountain of hands on experience at the school of hard knocks.

The Cleaning Institute

Anyone who has hardwood floors in their home or office understands the importance of protecting the material with a sealant to prevent scuffs and scratches from forming in high-traffic areas. Hardwood sealers are designed to work as a barrier and a layer of protection from dirt and sharp objects to protect the overall quality and appeal of the floors. Here at The Cleaning Institute, we did the work for you to find the best options available on the market. Our team spent a week testing different hardwood sealer products and made the Bona ClassicSeal our top pick. We found that the product seals the wood well and prevents the finish from penetrating. The ULTRA HIGH GLOSS 33% Solids Floor Finish Wax is our honorable mention because it has a glossy coating and requires half the coats when compared to similar products. Finally, we also suggest consumers consider the Bona AmberSeal because it doesn’t have any bleed-through from the stain and is easy to apply.

Testing Categories

A few important testing categories were used during our process when evaluating the best types of hardwood sealers to use. For our years, our The Cleaning Institute team has tested a long list of items and uses the testing categories to make for an efficient process that yields reliable results. The three categories we used included Application, Quality, and Color.

Application – We evaluated how easy each hardwood sealer was to apply to the floor and how many coats were needed to achieve the desired results.

Quality – The overall quality of the hardwood sealers was an additional factor that influenced how many points we awarded it.

Color – Our team took a close look at the color shade of each sealant to ensure that it enriched the natural color of the hardwood floors.

Top Pick

Bona
Classic
Sea

The Bona AmberSeal minimizes tannin bleed and is effective in sealing the wood while preventing the finish from penetrating. It also improves flow and the leveling of finish coats.

Price Check

Most notable upside: We found that this sealer is exceptionally clear and works well in highlighting the true color of the wood without altering its appearance. It also reduces the tendency for side bonding. We’re confident consumers will be satisfied when applying this product because it minimizes grain rinse and tannin bleed. It even provides a build layer and prevents the finish from penetrating the wood surface. The product works effectively when sanding between each coat that is applied, and it also doesn’t have any odor or strong scent.

Biggest downsides: We discovered that this formula can lead to molting when used on birch floors. It is also prone to solidifying in the container before it expires. The formula may even peel off the floors in large strips and can bubble once it dries.

Green Pick

ULTRA HIGH GLOSS 33%
Solids Floor
Finish Wax

The ULTRA HIGH GLOSS 33% Solids Floor Finish Wax dries quickly and has a diamond-like shine. The formula has patented polymer technology and protects and seals the floors from excess wear.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The floor finish wax is a 33 percent high solid acrylic floor wax and sealer that requires half the number of coats when compared to traditional floor products in the industry. It is quick and easy to apply without much experience being required. It proves to be high-quality and prevents scuffs and scratches from forming. The product can be used on vinyl tile, sealed wood, rubber, concrete, Terrazzo, and linoleum. We found that it dries smooth and looks flawless.

Biggest downsides: The sealer may flake off on some types of flooring materials. It’s also not resistant to scuffs or footprints, which can remain even after mopping the surface. On smaller projects, it doesn’t dry properly.

Also Consider

Bona
Amber
Seal

The Bona AmberSeal has a light tint and is easy to apply without a lot of coats required. It offers a beautiful shine and doesn’t have any bubbles that form during the application process.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The Bona AmberSeal doesn’t require a lot of elbow grease to apply it to hardwood floors and leaves a light amber shade over a natural stain base. During our testing process, it did not have any bleed-through from the stain into the poly finish. The high gloss that it leaves behind creates an attractive finish on the floors that allows them to look new again.

Biggest downsides: The product can look like it has a lack of tint when applied to some types of floors.

All Our Picks

Tips for Effective Hardwood Sealers

Hardwood sealers that offer the most benefits are those that don’t require a lot of coats because they have a thick consistency without creating any bubbles and are easy to apply after sanding the floor. It should dry quickly and have a slight tint that highlights the natural color shade of the hardwood flooring.

A Note About Safety and Storage

Hardwood sealers should be stored away from open flames or fire hazards because they’re extremely flammable. Store the sealer in its original airtight container and keep it tightly sealed to prevent it from evaporating. Avoid storing it in direct sunlight to increase its shelf life and keep it in a room temperature setting that isn’t too hot or cold to preserve the formula. Most hardwood sealers can last one to two years if stored correctly and in the right conditions. Consider labeling and dating it to ensure it’s used before it expires. Storing it in a high shelf or locked cabinet will prevent children or pets from accessing the product.

The Best Hardwood Sealers

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Murray

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

Bona
Classic
Sea

ULTRA HIGH GLOSS 33%
Solids Floor
Finish Wax

Bona
Amber
Seal

All Our Picks

Bona
Classic
Sea

ULTRA HIGH GLOSS 33%
Solids Floor
Finish Wax

Bona
Amber
Seal

Tips for Effective Hardwood Sealers

A Note About Safety and Storage

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