One common question that comes up all the time is, what type of finish should I use for my situation?

Generally finishes fall into two categories, penetrating sealers and topical surface finishes:

Here is a rundown on the two types:

Protection:

Penetrating sealers, whether water or oil based, offer excellent stain resistance. Whereas topical surface finishes, such as poly-urethanes, offer both stain resistance and topical surface protection due to the nature of the thick surface coating.  Penetrating sealers lack this surface coat, except in the case of wax finishes.  So with topical finishes, minor scratches and dings often affect only the surface finish itself. Topical finishes offer greater ease of cleaning, due to increased surface durability.

The drawback of topical finishes, such as Polyurethanes, is that they are difficult to touch up, and generally need to be sanded down, removed, and re-applied, rather than touched-up. Penetrating sealers can generally be spot-repaired very easily.

The Look:

Penetrating sealers will leave a much more natural look and feel than topical finishes. An exaggerated example of a topical surface finish is a resin-coated bar top. This thick coating looks and feels (because it basically is) like a plastic layer on top of the material itself. Whereas a piece of wood with a penetrating finish will feel like a piece of wood to the touch.

Application:

Both types of finishes are generally easy to apply. Topical finishes, such as polyurethanes, generally require a little more skill if applied with a brush. Brush marks will show if not applied carefully. Sanding between coats can often help hide brush strokes.  Application tools and methods are variable for each product.

Cost-Effectiveness:

The inital cost of the two different types of finishes is comparable, however the ease of touch-up and maintanence for penetrating finishes generally leads to a lower cost\over the lifetime of the finish.  Since topical finishes need to be removed, rather than spot repaired, there is greater potential for long-term expenditure.  However consideration for the protection of the material needs to be taken into account.

Overall:

Choose a finish that will be suitable for your location and lifestyle.  Poly-urethane type finishes will generally be a better choice for high-traffic areas such as entryways, as well as frequently cleaned areas such as cabinetry.  However if you are a perfectionist and want your surface looking pristine at all times, the ease of touch-up of penetrating sealers may be a better choice for you.