Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Deciding on a finish on an old pine floor

Hello all,

I'm looking for some advice on what product to use to finish this old floor I'm working on. Before going too much into detail, you can see photos of the floor here: http://picasaweb.google.com/carlofet/floor

I plan to sand it down with a U-sander (http://www.cherryhillmfg.com/u-sand/index.htm) and use some sort of water-based polyurethane, but I'm having a terrible time selecting one. Bona Traffic has been suggested to me (http://www.bona.com/global/global/Products/Professional/Finishing__Coatings/Finishes/Bona_Traffic/), as well as Minwax's Polyurethane for floors (http://www.minwax.com/products/hardwood_floor_finishing/water_based_polyurethane_for_floors.cfm). Anybody have any thoughts on the two products or any other suggestions?

As you can see in the photos, this floor runs into the kitchen, so I'd like a nice, tough surface where I wouldn't have to worry about food/drink spills. There's also the potential for dogs in the future, so the more resistance against claws the better. However, I don't want it to look like it's plastic . . .

Thanks in advance for your advice!

The flooring appears to be either spruce or eastern white knotty pine. With that thought in mind, the flooring is NOT going to be impervious to scratching/knicks and dents - NO matter what finish you put on it. So.........

Once again I would go with (2) coats of Waterlox Tung Oil Sealer followed by two coats of Waterlox Satin. This finish is easily maintained by the homeowner and is a PENETRATING oil, meaning that it will give you both surface and sub-surface protection. If water is spilled, it will not turn white, but rather it will repel the water/moisture!

Greg - Retired Hardwood Floor Installer/Refinisher
Maine

I'm an oil based poly guy, with water based poly as my second choice. I agree, though, that there is nothing you can do to keep this surface from getting damaged, as pine is soft.

Me three :D besides oil base finishes drying to a stronger film = longer wear, I like how oil ambers or deepens the colors in the wood.

So what would you all think of a Waterlox first coat followed by a product like Traffic for a second coat?

I've also had Poloplaz Primero oil modified polyurethane suggested. Any thoughts on that?