Polycrylic vs. Polyurethane: Which Is Right For Your Project?
Polycrylic and polyurethane might seem like the same product, but they’re as different as
![A woman applying wood sealant on a shelf](https://media.angi.com/s3fs-public/woman-applying-wood-sealant-shelf-1288360968.jpeg?impolicy=leadImage)
![A woman applying wood sealant on a shelf](https://media.angi.com/s3fs-public/woman-applying-wood-sealant-shelf-1288360968.jpeg?impolicy=leadImage)
Highlights
Polycrylic and polyurethane are both wood finishes.
Oil-based polyurethane is more durable but also dries with a yellowish hue.
Polycrylic is more difficult to work with because it dries more quickly.
Natural wood can be a beautiful finish—if you seal it properly. Woodworking projects usually need a clear topcoat to seal the wood and protect it from heat, moisture, and general use. For this, you can use polycrylic or polyurethane as a sealant for unfinished wood. Still, the two have distinct differences that you should pay attention to if you want your project to come out just right. Here’s a breakdown of the differences between the finishes.
Polycrylic Pros and Cons
![A young woman applying wood sealant on a chair](https://media.angi.com/s3fs-public/woman-applying-wood-sealant-chair-1295492750.jpeg?impolicy=leadImage)
Polycrylic is a water-based wood sealant that comes in various sheens, including satin, gloss, matte, ultra-flat, and high gloss. It can be brushed, rolled, or applied as an aerosol. Polycrylic has a few distinct pros and cons that make it different from polyurethane.
Pros
Polycrylic benefits include:
Has less of an odor and is safer than polyurethane
Needs a shorter time to dry
Leaves a durable, hard finish
Goes on clear so that it won’t change the appearance of the wood
More cost-friendly than polyurethane
Easy to find at local hardware stores
Cleanup is quick and straightforward and only requires soap and water
Cons
Using polycrylic as your wood sealant does have its drawbacks, including:
Sometimes takes on a milky appearance when applied to dark woods
Requires a longer curing time, even though it dries fast
Fast drying time means brush strokes may be visible
Is not as resistant to high heat
Has a runny consistency, so it can be challenging to apply to vertical surfaces
Polyurethane Pros and Cons
![A squeegee bursh applying polyurethane on hardwood floor](https://media.angi.com/s3fs-public/squeegee-brush-applying-polyurethane-floor-183771871.jpeg?impolicy=leadImage)
There are two different types of polyurethane finishes: water-based and oil-based. Sometimes referred to as “liquid plastic,” polyurethane in both forms is a popular choice as a wood sealant. Like polycrylic, both types of polyurethane finishes have their pros and cons.
Water-Based Polyurethane Pros
Choosing water-based polyurethane comes with a few benefits:
Contains less volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than oil-based formulas
Dries faster than oil-based
Completely clear finish, so you can use it on lighter woods without fear of discoloring
Water-Based Polyurethane Cons
Water-based polyurethane also has some drawbacks:
Not as heat-resistant or water-resistant as oil-based polyurethane
Less durable than oil-based polyurethane
Doesn’t aesthetically enhance the wood grain
Oil-Based Polyurethane Pros
Polyurethane finishes offer benefits, such as:
More durable than water-based polyurethane and polycrylic
Suitable for flooring or any furniture that gets heavy use
Enhances the wood grain, making colors deeper
Water-resistant, so good for use on outdoor projects like sealing a deck
Resistant to high temperatures
Easier to apply evenly than polycrylic
Oil-Based Polyurethane Cons
Oil-based polyurethane sealants also have their challenges, including:
Contains a lot of VOCs, giving it a pungent odor
Can cause headaches, eye irritation, and dizziness if you apply it in a poorly ventilated area without a respirator
Very combustible
Dries with a slightly amber tone, so you should not use it on lighter woods or over white paint
Polycrylic vs. Polyurethane: Which Is Better?
![Close-up of a brush applying a polycrilic sealant](https://media.angi.com/s3fs-public/close-up-brush-polycrilic-sealant-322228373.jpeg?impolicy=leadImage)
Both polycrylic and polyurethane will give you a nice finish on your woodworking project, whether you’re refinishing hardwood floors or touching up furniture. Which finish you choose depends on what you want the final look to be, what your project is, and the color of your wood.
Appearance
When it dries, polycrylic can take on a milky color, so it’s best to use it on lighter woods and white finishes. Oil-based polyurethane is the opposite—it tends to have an amber hue when dry, so it goes better on darker woods like mahogany. Water-based polyurethane doesn’t get quite as dark of a yellow tone as oil-based polyurethane, but it can look yellow on light woods and milky on dark woods.
Winner: Tie
Finish Options
Polycrylic, water-based polyurethane, and oil-based polyurethane all come in various finishes, including ultra-flat, matte, satin, semigloss, and gloss. You’re not limited with either finish, so your choice depends on the look that you want for your project.
Winner: Tie
Durability
While polycrylic and polyurethane are both durable and long-lasting, oil-based polyurethane works well for projects like protecting your wood floor stain or furniture that you use daily. Oil-based polyurethane can handle more use and is better in high temperatures and more moisture-resistant than water-based polyurethane and polycrylic.
Winner: Oil-based polyurethane
Price
Polycrylic and water-based polyurethane usually cost around $20 to $30 per quart, while oil-based polyurethane can cost anywhere from $20 to upwards of $50 per quart.
If cost is a factor in your finish decision, polycrylic is the more budget-friendly of the two options. However, water-based polyurethane and polycrylic are comparable in price because water-based finishes cost less to manufacture than oil-based finishes.
Winner: Polycrylic
Application
While you can apply both polycrylic and polyurethane using a brush, roller, or spray, polycrylic does tend to dry faster. Since it dries quickly, it’s harder to get a smooth finish with polycrylic than with polyurethane, and you risk leaving brush marks behind if you don’t work quickly enough. If you’d like to use polycrylic but feel your pro could benefit from a pro’s expertise, consider getting a quote from a painting contractor near you.
Winner: Polyurethane
Compounds
Polyurethane contains VOCs, which can be harmful to breathe in for significant periods of time, so it’s important to have good ventilation or use a respirator when working with the product. Polycrylic doesn’t contain VOCs, so it doesn’t cause health problems like headaches.
Winner: Polycrylic