Acrylic vs Urethane

Q: What is the difference between Acrylic and Urethane finishes?
– Rob
A: The technical definition here is that urethanes, scientifically known as carbamates, are organic compounds which come from carbamic acid. Acrylics are similarly organic compounds; however, they are derived from acrylic acid. Basically speaking it a is a differences between the base acid of which the compound is derived.
When it comes to flooring the important difference is usually acrylic impregnated versus urethane finishes. Urethane finishes are applied to the top of a product in several thin layers. These urethanes are modified in various ways depending on the desired look of the finish and product it will go over. Most commonly, water-based urethanes are used for flooring; however, in some cases acrylic-urethanes are used.
Acrylic impregnated floors have moisture vacuumed out of the wood through a high-pressure technique. Then liquid acrylics are injected into the open pores throughout the depth of the hardwood. Optionally, stain and fire retardants are added in with the acrylic. The acrylic resin makes it up to 300% harder and more dent resistant than natural wood.
Although acrylic impregnated floors are tough, they are also virtually impossible to refinish properly, meaning that once your finish gets to a point of where you would wish to have it sanded down and redone, you would instead have to replace the floor.
Cork flooring typically has a water-based acrylic. Basically instead of the urethane in the floor you are using acrylic instead. Essentially speaking you are using plastic to protect the floor. Acrylic, in the plastics/glass industry and similarly in flooring, is a durable and roughly 93% translucent product which is featured to give abrasion resistance to floors, much as urethane finishes do. The difference is entirely in the derivative acid.