Choosing wood for the natural beauty, depth and luster of man-made furniture is an easy decision for some; consider sealing it with polycrylic. polyurethane may be a more difficult solution. If the wood is not sealed, it can be damaged by moisture, heat and heavy use. To prevent this, most woodwork - from freshly polished floors to unfinished handmade benches - is covered with a protective coating.
Two wood glues - polyacrylate and polyurethane. Their similar names and functions can be confusing to the handyman who goes to the hardware store and sees them side by side. Which of the two is better for sealing furniture? Will this affect the color of the wood used? And which is easier to implement? Learn in advance about the differences between these two wood finishes, so you can quickly and easily decide whether to choose Polykryp or Polykryp. polyurethane without delaying your project.
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Polyacrylate is water-based, while polyurethane can be oil- or water-based.
There are water-based and oil-based varieties of polyurethane, but polyacrylate adhesives are truly water-based. Here are some pros and cons of each type:
- Oil-based polyurethane is durable and scratch-resistant, making it a great choice for finishing hardwood floors or frequently used furniture (kitchen countertops, we're looking at you). Oil-based polyurethanes also withstand high temperatures, such as championships, which water-based polyurethanes and polyacrylates cannot. It is also more water resistant, making it a better choice for sealing outdoor furniture or other wooden items that may be exposed to moisture.
- Water-based polyurethane wood finishes contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which smell less than oil-based finishes, so they are less harmful to the lungs and nose. It also dries faster. However, it is not resistant to high temperatures and water, and is more prone to scratches than oil-based polyurethane.
- Polyacrylate is a water-based product that is odorless and less toxic than both types of polyurethane, making it easier to work with. Although it dries very quickly, the downside is that it takes a long time to fully recover. Does polycrylic scratch easily? Since it is not as scratch-resistant as oil-based polyurethane, placing anything on top of an incompletely cured polyacrylic-coated surface can scratch or scratch the clear coat. Polyacrylic also does not tolerate extreme heat like oil-based polyurethane does.
You'll find options in both gloss polyurethane and polyacrylic, but polyurethane wood trim will also be painted.
Polyurethane and polyacrylic are available in satin, gloss and high gloss finishes, so you can shine as much as you like to bring out the character and craftsmanship of your wood. You may have a number of questions about the aesthetics of these stains - first of all, do polyacrylate and polyurethane stains turn yellow over time, or do they dry out? There are some aesthetic differences between these finishes.
- Oil-based polyurethane dries, usually with a slight yellow tint. You should only use it on dark wood or wood that is warm enough to hide the yellow color.
- Water-based polyurethanes do not yellow. It dries completely, so you can use it on light woods like maple without worrying about the wood turning yellow.
- It is also often said that polycrylic becomes transparent when dry if applied carefully. It can look milky when applied to dark wood or paint.
While all are very durable, oil-based polyurethane is the most durable.
If you use polyurethane instead of polycrylic, you're sure to get a tough, durable finish that will protect your furniture or flooring from mild to moderate damage. But if you really need a sealant that can handle tougher materials, like heavy daily use or lots of foot traffic, oil-based polyurethane is your best bet. And if the finished product will often be exposed to high temperatures or moisture, then oil-based polyurethane is definitely better.
Polyacrylate is more difficult to apply evenly than polyurethane.
Most hardware stores will offer several application options, but which is better: a roller or a brush made of polyacrylic and polyurethane? When applying this coating, use a brush or spray and avoid rollers and foam brushes. Polycryl's watery consistency makes application difficult: you have to apply a thin layer and watch for drips, then wait the recommended drying time to avoid a tacky finish. Polyacrylic, applied by spray or brush, dries very quickly to the touch, making it difficult to evenly cover large surfaces. If you're covering small areas, consider using a polyacrylic spray (Minwax Polyacrylic Spray, which is the top pick in our guide to the best floor polyurethanes, comes in an aerosol version that's perfect for use on things like furniture and cabinet doors).
While polyurethane and polyacrylates can be applied over water- or oil-based paints and coatings (including chalk paint), you may find that polyacrylate does not dry quickly in matte latex paint due to paint additives.
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Polyacrylate is much less dangerous and toxic than polyurethane.
Polyurethane is highly flammable when wet and must be stored carefully to prevent ignition. As mentioned earlier, it also contains high amounts of volatile organic compounds, which can cause lung irritation. Always wear personal protective equipment, including a respirator, when applying. (However, water-based polyurethane is much less stable than the oil-based version.) Is polyurethane toxic to humans in all forms, even after drying? Thankfully not; the polyurethane is safe once the vapors have dissipated and the surface has fully hardened.
Once cured, polyacrylate is also non-toxic. In fact, the vapors are not very toxic and smell like polyurethane when applied. While we've always thought it would be a good idea to wear protective clothing when painting and sealing, this is less important when applying polyacrylic.
Still choosing between polyacrylate and polyurethane? Ask yourself these questions.
Therefore, polyacrylate and polyurethane can be used for many projects of the same type, including tables, nightstands, picture frames, and closets. If you've weighed the pros and cons we've discussed and still aren't sure which product is best for your project, ask yourself the following questions:
- Will the wooden parts be exposed to high temperatures or moisture? If your answer is yes, oil-based polyurethane is your best bet.
- Do you seal light colored wood that has been painted white or another light color? Avoid oil-based polyurethanes that dry yellow. Instead, use a water-based polyurethane that does not yellow.
- Do you seal wood floors? Oil-based polyurethane provides the most durable finish in high-use environments such as floors.
- Need a quick drying product? Polycrylic dries much faster than polyurethane.
- Do you work in a room without proper ventilation? Polyacrylate, which is less toxic than polyurethane, should be used, especially when working in poorly ventilated areas.
- Stick large furniture? Since polycrylic dries very quickly, it can be difficult to achieve a smooth finish on large areas. Use polyurethane.
- Do you close vertical surfaces such as the pages of a bookshelf? Polyurethane is easier to work with on a flat surface. It is thicker than polycrylic and does not flow well.
- Is easy cleaning your top priority? If so, then polyacrylate is for you. You only need soap and water to remove it from hands, brushes and other surfaces that may be spilled during application.
- Is budget a big problem? Polycrylic is usually cheaper than polyurethane.
