Oil Based Poly or Water Based Poly

We are having our stairs stained and the flooring company gave us the option between water based and oil based. The advantage to water is it dries quicker and less odor. The disadvantage to water is it is dull and will need to be redone a lot sooner than oil.

I would really like to walk up the stairs the same day since our bedrooms are upstairs and we have no where else to go that night but that won't be possible with oil based.

The oil base looks better and last longer.

Anyone have any experience with water based poly?

Oil Based Poly or Water Based Poly

We use water based poly on most of our home improvement projects. Partly bc it's more forgiving and easier to clean, partly bc of the baby. However, on the stairs, I would absolutely go with oil based poly. If you are currently living in the house, maybe stay in a hotel for a night or two? The oil based poly will stand up to the wear and tear better, which is so important on stairs.

Re: Oil Based Poly or Water Based Poly

We used water based in our home, for more ecofriendly floors. However, it was hard to wash and didn't hold up well. Def go for oil based on the stairs. I would never use waterbased again.