What Is a Waterborne Finish, and Is It Right for Your Hardwood Floors?

Few design features take our breath away like beautiful hardwood floors. They play nicely with just about every aesthetic, add warmth and character, and — with proper care — can last a lifetime.

If you’re moving into a new home or just discovered wood floors under carpeting (jackpot!), or if your existing floors are looking rough, refinishing could be the TLC they need to come back to life. But not all refinishing options are created equal. Many products are highly toxic — like, “clear out all pets, plants, and people” toxic. Waterborne finishing systems make the refinishing process way more environmentally friendly, with low VOC emissions, safer non-flammable formulations, and low or no odor. Here are some things to think about if you’re considering refinishing.

Even hardwood that’s been well taken care of will need refinishing at some point. Now might be time if your floors are looking dull, have moderate to severe scratches, or if the finish has worn off to bare wood. (Check high-traffic areas.) But you can also refinish just to get a fresh look, like a different stain color or sheen level.

Refinishing isn’t only about appearances: It also helps floors last longer and wear better. Preserving your existing flooring is way more affordable than replacing it (plus keeps hardwood out of landfills). And it could help your resale value later on. After all, per square foot, hardwood floors are likely one of the most expensive features of your home!

It’s certainly convenient to have your floors refinished while the space is empty, but it’s not as necessary as it used to be. Apart from the furniture shuffling, traditional oil-based finishes also meant pungent odors and harmful toxins, which you definitely wouldn’t want to expose yourself to. Bona is committed to sustainability, with flooring products developed to minimize health and environmental impact — and they have the third-party certifications to prove it. Bona waterborne hardwood floor systems are innovated for beautiful, highly durable floors with low odor.

Waterborne systems offer high-quality, durable hardwood floors that are less impactful on the overall environment than other finishing systems. The world’s leading waterborne finish is Bona Traffic HD. It combines unsurpassed scuff, scratch, and chemical resistance with a conscientious formulation you can feel good about. Bona Traffic HD is nonflammable and GREENGUARD Gold certified, with very low VOCs and non-offending odor. Plus, it fully cures in just three days.

Probably not. Between the heavy-duty sanding (which requires a surprisingly delicate touch), stain application, and the mere scale of the job, it’s best to leave this one to the pros. Bona has been an expert in all things floor care for more than 100 years, with hand-picked Bona Certified Craftsmen nationwide who are highly skilled and trained to get your floors in the best possible shape. Find a Bona Certified Craftsman near you to get design advice and start your project.

You can also use waterborne systems to change the color of your flooring. Bona Chroma comes in nine base shades, from light Winter to rich Americano, which can be mixed to create just the hue you’re after. (Mid-level wood tones are going to be most popular this year, according to Bona’s 2026 Floorcast.) Whatever color you choose, Bona Chroma is a forgiving water-based application that dries fast. And like Bona Traffic HD, it’s GREENGUARD Gold certified, with very low VOCs, low-to-no odor, and a nonflammable formulation.

For more inspiration, check out the Bona 2026 Floorcast and see what trends the floor care experts are watching. Ready to refinish? Find a Bona Certified Craftsman near you to get started! And don’t forget about post-project maintenance: Be sure to clean your beautiful new floor with Safer Choice certified, pH-neutral, quick drying cleaning solutions formulated for your floor. Visit Bona for expert advice and cleaning tips that will keep your floors sparkling for many more years to come.

Help your hardwood floors look their best with Bona.