Question from LauraPR
Hi Debra and other readers,
Thank you for having this website. I have been looking for a good bookcase/toy storage solution for my kids room. Finally found somebody here who custom makes bookcases for schools and libraries, they are going to have one made for us from birch wood. I asked about the finish because humidity here where we live is always high and, as much as I love unfinished wood, mold can be a problem. They said they usually use polyurethane as a finish. Is that something that is safe to have in kids room?
Alternatively, I can ask them to just leave the wood unfinished and paint it with something myself, just not sure what I would use that is non-toxic and better than polyurethane?
They also said they are looking into using something that is water-based for a finish in the future but they haven’t really used it much yet.
Thank you for any input!
Debra’s Answer
Regular polyurethane IS toxic and I don’t recommend it.
I purchase unfinished wood furniture and finish it myself, or you could ask them to use a water-based product. My experience is, however, that professionals are reluctant to use finishes they have no experience with because they cannot guaranteed results.
I’ve been happy using Rust Oleum 6032 VOC Varathane Interior Polyurethane (which was recommended to me by the cabinetmaker who made my kitchen cabinets in California), which is a water-based polyurethane, and also wood finishes from Vermont Natural Coatings.
