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Trusted by professionals and DIYers alike, Consolidated Coatings delivers high-performance paints, stains, and finishes designed to protect and enhance wood and other surfaces with long-lasting beauty. Available at Windsor Plywood, Consolidated Coatings products are ideal for both interior and exterior applications, including siding, decks, doors, trim, and furniture. With a strong focus on durability, colour retention, and environmental responsibility, Consolidated Coatings offers a range of solutions tailored to the unique needs of Canadian climates. Whether you're looking for water-based or oil-based finishes, wood preservatives, or specialty coatings, you can trust Consolidated Coatings to deliver professional-grade results. As a proudly Canadian company, we are committed to offering high-quality, reliable products backed by expert, one-on-one service. With Consolidated Coatings, your project gets the protection and finish it deserves—crafted to perform and built to last.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a sealer and a finish for wood?
A sealer is applied first to seal the wood surface, control absorbency, and improve adhesion of the finish coat. A finish is the final protective layer such as varnish, polyurethane, lacquer, or oil, that provides the desired sheen and surface protection. Some products are designed as sealer-finish combinations for simplified application.
What finish is most durable for hardwood floors?
Oil-modified polyurethane is the traditional standard for hardwood floor finishing. Water-based polyurethane dries faster and has a clearer, less amber tone but requires more coats for equivalent durability. Hardwax oils penetrate the wood rather than sitting on top and are easier to spot-repair but less resistant to water and abrasion than polyurethane.
Should I use oil-based or water-based finish for furniture?
Water-based finishes dry faster, have lower odour, and remain clear without the amber tone that oil-based products add over time. Oil-based finishes are more durable and self-levelling. For natural-coloured or lighter wood species where clarity matters, water-based is the better choice. For rich warm tones on species like walnut, the oil-based amber enhances the colour.
How many coats of polyurethane should I apply?
For floors, three coats are standard with two build coats and a light sand between each, and a final finish coat. For furniture and cabinetry, two to three coats with light sanding between each coat provides a hard, protective surface. The first coat seals the grain; subsequent coats build the film thickness that provides durability.
What exterior finish should I use on a cedar deck or fence?
A penetrating exterior oil or alkyd-based deck stain is the most maintainable exterior wood finish. It soaks into the wood rather than forming a surface film, which means it does not peel when it ages and can be cleaned and recoated without extensive preparation. Film-forming exterior finishes peel in exterior exposure and require stripping before recoating.