Aprelflooring.com

Can't make a decision what finish to choose? Here you are:

1) water-based finishes/stains are virtually odor free.  No more headaches from sniffing too much stain.  You can even work indoors without the risk of smelling up your entire home.

2) because water-based products are largely composed of water, their dry time is a fraction of that to oil-based products.  This means multiple coats can be applied in the same time it would take a single coat of oil-base product to dry.

3) clean up is a breeze.  Water-base finishes/stains and top coats clean up with just soap and water.  No more paint thinner or other potent solvents.

4) water-based finishes/stains have inherent qualities that give the user ultimate control over the outcome of the finish.  Water-based stains penetrate deep into the grain of the wood giving a richer finish with only a single coat. 

But Oil-based finish looks richer and applied with thicker coats than water-based one. Though oil-based gives a yellowish tint, especially within few years, it feels much softer when touched. That is why it is good to apply it on handrails, stairs, etc. As for water-based it is much harder than iol-based one and usually used for heavy-traffic areas.

So, make up your mind!