Windsor Plywood Sealers/Finishers

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.