Hey guys, Patrick here again! This week the main topic I wanted to talk about on our Chicago Flooring Blog was a question I often receive from homeowners. “Can I sleep in my house after you apply the polyurethane?” as well as “How soon can I move back in after you apply the final finish coat to my hardwood floors?”

By this point, we all know that one of the key steps in installing & refinishing hardwood flooring is applying a finish, such as polyurethane, to protect the wood and give it a smooth appearance. However, many homeowners may wonder whether it is safe to sleep in their homes after a polyurethane application.

In this blog post, we'll explore the answer to that question and provide detailed information on how long you should stay out of the house after a polyurethane application, depending on the type of finish used.

Types of Finishes for hardwood flooring

First, it's important to understand that polyurethane is a type of varnish that is applied to hardwood floors to protect them from wear and tear. However, it is not only available in both oil-based and water-based forms, but there are also other products that exist which do the same job as polyurethane.

The main difference between these products is that some are oil-based, which have a strong odor and take longer to dry and cure. Others are water-based polyurethane and have a milder odor which dries and cures more quickly. Lastly, some finishes are also wax-based hybrids that smell & dry differently as well.

Can I sleep in my house after you apply Polyurethane to my hardwood floors?

In general, I do not advise sleeping in your home after a polyurethane application, regardless of whether you are using an oil-based or water-based finish. The fumes from the polyurethane can be toxic and may cause eye and respiratory irritation. In addition, the fumes can be flammable and should not be exposed to any open flames or heat sources.

Is polyurethane toxic after it dries?

It's best to stay out of the house until the polyurethane is dry and the fumes have dissipated. Once it has dried, it is considered to be relatively safe and non-toxic. However, while it is still wet, it can release fumes that can be harmful to breathe.

Some homeowners make the mistake of thinking that since water-based finish does not have as toxic of a smell, it is fine to spend the night in the home with it. This is not recommended, because even though the finish may not smell as bad, it still off-gasses toxic fumes while it dries.

Oil Based Polyurethane Dry times

For oil-based polyurethane, it can take up to 24-48 hours for the finish to dry and up to 72 hours for the fumes to dissipate completely. Therefore, it is recommended that you stay out of your home for at least 72 hours after applying an oil-based polyurethane finish.

It's also recommended to have proper ventilation in the room during the drying process. In order to fully cure, this finish typically requires at least 30 days. This means you will want to refrain from putting down any surface area rugs or furniture that completely blocks sunlight exposure to the floor. Otherwise, you will end up with light spots.

Single Component Water Based Polyurethane Dry Times

For water-based polyurethane, the drying and curing time is much shorter. It can take as little as 4 hours for the finish to dry and 8 hours for the fumes to dissipate. It's recommended that you stay out of your home for at least 8 hours after applying a water-based polyurethane finish, though usually, you can walk on it much sooner. For a single-component water-based finish, full cure time is usually 7-14 days.

This is the finish I recommend to 99% of clients. My favorite single component finishes are from Loba and they include Hybrid, EasyFinish, and Viva.

Two Component Water-Based Polyurethane Dry Times

The drying and curing time for two component water-based finishes is even shorter. This is because these finishes are considered commercial grade instead of residential grade. Meaning, they are formulated in order to be used much sooner and to dry much harder than single-component finishes. The drying time for these finishes is usually between 2-4 hours. The full cure time is 6-9 days.

For clients that want as much durability as possible, I always recommend this finish. This is also the polyurethane we apply in all restaurant and commercial settings. My favorite dual component finishes are Loba Invisible as well as Loba Supra.

Hard-wax Oil Finishes/Rubio Monocoat

Hardwax oil finishes are the last in the category of hardwood floor finish, and they aren’t considered a typical polyurethane. They fall more along the lines of oily wax. These finishes are the most eco-friendly as they let off very low amounts of VOCs. However, we’ve found that they can still smell quite harsh and the gasses can be quite toxic. This is especially true for projects larger than 500 square feet.

The wax finishes typically take 24-48 hours to fully dry. They can take upwards of 14-15 days to fully cure. Meaning you’ll want to leave any surface area rugs off of the floors until then to avoid light spots. Since these finishes are still considered oil, they will behave like oil and change color over time. My favorite wax-based finish to use is Rubio Monocoat.

Concluding thoughts and why it’s best to stay out of the home

In conclusion, I think it’s important to note that there are many finishes out there and the drying/curing times of all of them can vary depending on the specific brand of polyurethane, the humidity and temperature of your home, the thickness of the finish applied, and even the weather factors happening outside of your home.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding drying and curing times and consult with a professional if you have any doubts or concerns. But in most cases, play it safe and stay out of the home for a couple of days. After all, nobody wants to have their clothes and themselves smelling like icky oil all night long while trying to sleep! It’s important to note that if you have any fish or pets, without a doubt you should also relocate them for the duration of your flooring project.

While polyurethane is a great way to protect and enhance the appearance of your hardwood floors, it's important to understand the risks and precautions involved. It is also important to understand that your specific scenario will vary greatly depending on your location and flooring project. More often than not, it’s best to rely on the recommendation of the flooring contractor you have hired.

The duration of time you should stay out of the house will greatly depend on the type of finish you use, with oil-based by far requiring more time for drying and curing than water-based. Always consult with a professional and follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure that the installation is done correctly and safely.

Call Plus Hardwood Flooring today at (773) 954-4982 or send us an email through our contact page for a free estimate!