Compare Finishes for Site-Finished Floors
The finishes on the market today are all good finishes, however, your life style and specific needs may dictate the best finish for you. Following are some general comparisons:

Type	Water Base Urethane	Oil Modified Urethanes	Moisture Cured Urethane	Wax or Oil Finish	Conversion Varnish
Durability	Very Good	Very Good	Excellent	Good	Excellent
Odor	Mild	Moderate	Strong	Mild	Very Strong
Color	Clear to Amber	Amber	Clear to Dark Amber	Slight Amber	Clear to Slight Amber
Drying Time	Fast	Slow	Dries quickly in high humidity conditions	Varies	Slow to Fast
Finish	Satin to Gloss	Satin to Gloss	Satin to Gloss	Wax Luster	Satin to Gloss
Combustible?	N	Y	Y	Y
Drawbacks				Water Spots

Area rugs are an excellent addition to your floor, however, they should not be put on the floor until the finish is fully cured. On water-based urethane, area rugs can usually be placed after 14 days. On a solvent-based finish (most other finishes) you should wait about 30 days. Area rugs should be moved occasionally to maintain an even color in your finish. It is also important to only use rugs with backing that allows the floor to breathe.