To get an expert opinion on matte vs. satin polyurethane, I reached out to the two most popular manufacturers in the industry: Minwax and Varathane.

Matt and satin floor varnishes can also deliver abrasion, scuff and scrape resistance in schools and lecture halls Rust-Oleum 4900 Polycoat 2K – Water Based Durability: Both matte and satin polyurethane are equal in strength, hardness, and durability. However, the level of sheen wears differently. A satin finish will lose its luster over time and show scuff marks, scratches, and footprints more than a matte finish.The expert at Minwax said, “the main difference is the appearance. Satin reflects more light and is shinier than matte.” He also confirmed that ” you’ll see more dust and scratches with a satin polyurethane because it’s shinier. It doesn’t get dirtier than matte, but it appears dirtier.” Maintenance: Satin requires more frequent cleaning since dust and dirt are more visible. You can easily clean both finishes with a damp cloth. Go light with water when cleaning to avoid damaging the wood. Be sure to dust cabinets or sweep floors before using a damp cloth to wipe them clean. What’s the difference between matte and satin polyurethane? What factors should be considered before choosing? Sunlight: The amount of sunlight in the room impacts how the finish will look. Satin will reflect more light and appear shinier if the sun shines directly on your floor, furniture, or cabinets. If the room gets little sunlight, satin will look almost the same as matte. Floors or furniture coated with matte polyurethane will have very little shine, even if the sun shines brightly into the room.

Application equipment for water based polyurethane varnishes can be cleaned-up with soap and water – always refer to product datasheets for manufacturer specific recommendations for cleaning and storage. Frequency of cleaning: Consider how often you want to clean. Remember, satin will need to be cleaned more frequently. Matte is a bit more forgiving. Regarding the 2k providing a 10 year solution, this would be longer than we would anticipate for exterior wood. The finish can be maintained by ensuring any mechanical damages are repaired as and when they occur, the product data sheet also provides details on required preparation, application and curing. Now that you know how matte and satin polyurethane compare, it’s time to decide which is best for your project. I’ll also share insights from experts and answer the most frequently asked questions regarding both finishes.

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Overall, the takeaway from these experts is clear. The sheen level is the main difference between matte and satin polyurethane; durability and the visibility of imperfections and debris are secondary and shouldn’t influence your decision much. FAQs About Matte and Satin Polyurethane Since the initial appearance of matte and satin is so similar, you won’t notice a significant difference. If you were to compare matte vs. semi-gloss over ten years, the change in appearance would be much more noticeable. Polyurethane protects wood surfaces, such as floors, furniture, and cabinets, from damage, stains, dirt, and wear. It makes the wood water-repellent but not waterproof. Regardless of the finish, cleaning and maintaining floors coated with polyurethane is simple and easy. Can be applied by brush, spray or roller. Traditional varnishes, in comparison, are usually brush applied only.

Please note that the final shade of the applied varnish will depend upon the original colour and absorption of the wood or timber. It is recommended to test for shade on an off-cut or inconspicuous area. When using two tins, it is recommended mixing them, to ensure an even shade is obtained. Available in gloss, matt and eggshell varnish finishes, this clear coating can also be used on smaller floor surface areas. Coo-Var Polyurethane Varnish There are alternatives to polyurethane varnishes for use within the marine sector and for wooden surfaces that are required to be fire retardant. What is Polyurethane Varnish Made Of? You can get away with cleaning floors coated with matte polyurethane less often because minor dust and debris won’t be as visible.Level of sheen: Consider testing each finish on a small piece of wood or furniture. Light reflects off surfaces differently in each room. Seeing the finish in the room will help you decide. Rust-Oleum 4900 Polycoat 2K is a clear, water-based, 2-component polyurethane topcoat for use on wood, concrete and pre-painted surfaces, also serves as an anti-graffiti coating. Very abrasion resistant, available in a matt or gloss finish, does not yellow, can be used internally and externally, resists boiling water, alcohol, coffee, red wine, dilute acid and alkalis.

The key difference between matte and satin polyurethane is the appearance. Matte reflects almost no light, giving it a dull, low-sheen look. Matte’s gloss level is between 15-30%. Satin is also a low-sheen finish, but it reflects more light, making it slightly shinier. Its gloss level is between 30-40%.Polyurethane is a clear liquid made from synthetic resin. It hardens when you apply it to wood and forms a flexible, protective layer. Application: Brush only. For Health and Safety reason related to all solvent-based paints, spray application is not recommended. STIR THOROUGHLY BEFORE USE. Product is ready to use. Do not thin. Apply up to 3 coats of Dulux Trade Polyurethane Varnish. Dulux Trade Polyurethane Varnish is not suitable for use on other surfaces such as masonry. On surfaces subject to heavy wear such as flooring, the gloss finish is recommended. He also said, “technically, the higher the sheen, the tougher the product will be — but not by much. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being most durable, satin is a 9.5 matte, and matte is a 9.2. Don’t make your decision based on that because you’re not losing much, and both options are incredibly durable.” Many thanks for taking the time to read our blog and for you question, and thank you for your patience. For this application we would recommend Rust-Oleum 4900 Polycoat 2K, however, we would only recommend applying this this on painted or stained wood – so we would recommend this is carried our prior to the application of 4900. Water-based polyurethane varnishes have a milky tint in colour, but will dry to leave a clearer, more transparent finish than solvent-based products – preferable to some users.