It’s no accident that polyurethanes have dominated the field of wood floor finishing. It’s not due to any technical superiority, but rather its profitability for finish manufacturers. Those profits come at the expense of the health, wellness, and longevity of flooring contractors, consumers, and the floors themselves. Unfortunately, most chemical companies have no qualms about misleading and lying to the public through the dissemination of myths and obfuscations. We’ll unpack these myths and reveal why a structural finish™, such as Odie’s Oil®, an entirely new category of true oil finish, is not only safer but also offers superior performance, beauty, and value over time.
Myth #1: Polyurethane is More Durable Than Natural Finishes
The “hard plastic coating” of polyurethanes is its very downfall. Polyurethane coatings are brittle and inflexible, prone to cracking under movement, temperature changes, and humidity shifts; while soft polys also easily develop unsightly indentations and scratches. When damage occurs (and it will), the only remedy is often complete re-sanding and reapplication—an expensive, disruptive process. By contrast, a structural oil finish™ penetrates the wood and bonds with it at a molecular level, enhancing the structure from within. These finishes allow wood to breathe and move naturally without cracking or peeling. It also supports spot repairs and simple reapplication— no sanding necessary. That’s real-world durability.
Myth #2: Low-VOC Means Non-Toxic
“Low-VOC” is a favorite buzzword used to imply safety. But VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are just one category of potentially harmful substances. Many of the worst toxins in polyurethane and UV-cured coatings—such as isocyanates, dearomatized aliphatic hydrocarbons (naptha), acrylamides and photoinitiators—do not qualify as VOCs under EPA definitions. That means they can be present in large quantities and still allow the product to be marketed as “low-VOC.”
A wax/oil blend that contains toxic solvents, heavy metals, isocyanates, part-two catalyst and chemical dryers is a hybrid polyurethane being marketed under the term “hard-wax oil”.
Myth #3: Chemical Finishes Use Smarter Technology
The marketplace offers countless “brands” of polyurethane and synthetic finishes, each claiming a unique advantage. But most are variations on the same formula: synthetic resins suspended in oil, solvent or water, coupled with plasticizers, stabilizers and toxic hardeners. The differences between brands are often superficial—different oils, different colorants, and a change of name and label design.
Alternatively, true oil finishes, will be free of synthetic toxins and chemical catalysts, enhancing longevity and supporting the natural beauty of wood without the drawbacks of plastic coatings.
Myth #4: UV-Cured Finishes Are Fully Cured and Inert
Manufacturers love to tout UV-curing. Yet, unreacted monomers and photo-initiator byproducts can remain on the surface or continue to off-gas for weeks or months, while finishes with part two catalysts may stay reactive for many years.
A structural finish™ cures naturally through polymerization with natural light, oxygen and the surface material itself. No need for artificial light sources, chemical boosters or post-treatment. The result is a stable, fully cured surface without chemical emissions.
Myth #5: Plastic Coatings Enhance the Natural Beauty of Wood
A polyurethane is little more than a plastic barrier that obscures wood’s tactile feel and natural warmth. Over time, it scratches, dulls, and yellows, losing clarity and beauty and never looks as good as the first day it was applied and will become more and more unsightly over time and wear.
Myth #6: Polyurethane Finishes Are Easier to Maintain
Sanding and refinishing are time-consuming and costly processes that introduce additional chemicals into your home or office environment. Repeated sanding also thins the wood and reduces its lifespan.
With a true oil finish, just clean the floor, as it isn’t a top layer, it can’t be damaged. If you ever need a refresh, it’s a simple, pleasant, scented buff on and off, in whole or in part, which you can decide.
Myth #7: If It’s On the Shelf, It Must Be Safe
Many dangerous ingredients in polyurethane finishes are still legal, and manufacturers are not required to disclose all components, especially when protected as “trade secrets.” To check the safety of disclosed ingredients in your finish, we recommend visiting https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/odiesoil- introduces-free-handbook-of-toxic-finishcoatingsfor- finishers--specifiers-302233426.html
The Future of Finishing Is Natural, Sustainable and Smarter
For those ready to break free from the myths and embrace a better way, the answer has never been clearer - steer clear of polyurethanes, acrylic plastic finishes, 2-part finishes, catalyst depended finishes or film-forming hybridpolyurethanes marketed as hard-wax oils, and choose a truly safe and durable finish made from natural ingredients instead. A structural finish offers the best of both worlds, old world oil finish sustainability with modern physics that actually improves the integrity of surfaces.