The 10 Best Matt Floor Varnishes (2022 reviews)
We consider a matt floor varnish to be a worthy investment in the long run.
Let’s take you step by step, type by type, and find the best matt floor varnish for you.
Also, you can see our guides on Best The Floor Varnishes and Best Shellac Varnishes for a wider range of candidates.
Our review process:
Our Top Picks:
Best Overall: Buy: Minwax Clear Finish READ REVIEWBest For All Types Of Marine And Household Woods: Buy: Totalboat Matt Floor Varnish READ REVIEWBest With Low Odor: Buy: General Finishes Matt Floor Varnish READ REVIEWBest For Cabinet: Buy: Rustoleum Smooth Finish READ REVIEWBest For Handrail: Buy: Varathane Matt Floor Varnish READ REVIEWBest For Stained Wood: Buy: Minwax Matt Floor Varnish READ REVIEWBest For Worth The Money: Buy: Epifanes Matt Floor Varnish READ REVIEWBest For Superior Durability: Buy: Rustoleum Matt Floor Varnish READ REVIEWBest For Front Door: Buy: Zar Matt Floor Varnish READ REVIEWBest For Satin Sheen: Buy: Jolie Matt Floor Varnish READ REVIEWBest Overall: Minwax Clear Finish
Buy on Amazon The Minwax Clear Finish is capable of outshining several other varnish featured in this list in overall features. The minwax clear finish is very clear, has excellent results and it is great for a great price. After final coat, allow 24 hours before light use. This oil - based clear sealer protective coating protects and adds long - lasting beauty to woodwork, furniture, doors, cabinets and floors. The varnish is super glossy and it is great quality. Moreover, this offers long - lasting beauty on both finished and unfinished wood surfaces. Lastly, the minwax clear finish is ideal for woodwork, furniture, doors, cabinets & floors, and is available in a variety of sheens.Almost all customers agree that the varnish can recoat after 1st coat becomes sticky, about 3 to 5 minutes. And, they strongly agree that if the varnish is submersed in water, the lacquer will give way over time. Moreover, they say that the varnish is great for sealing unstained wood. To sum up, the tone of buyers is very positive and we believe that the varnish suits the purpose.Top Customer Quotes:
- Keep interior wood projects looking beautiful with a minwax polyurethane wood finish.
- This is great for making rock look wet.
- This can use a fan to shorten the time.
- The stain adds color, while the finish gives it protection and shine.
Best For All Types Of Marine And Household Woods: Totalboat Matt Floor Varnish
Buy on Amazon We know from years of feedback from readers, amazon sellers, and family and friends what most people want in a convenient and appropriate varnish. The Totalboat Matt Floor Varnish is exactly that - it's a simple varnish that hits all the right notes. The totalboat matt floor varnish is not intended for use as a sealer (base) coat. After a total of 6 - 8 coats provides the best protection and the highest gloss. Furthermore, it went on easily and it went on smoothly. Finally, the totalboat matt floor varnish has a linseed oil modified polyurethane formula for smooth flow-out.Almost all buyers opine that the varnish works well, provides a great finish. Also, they strongly agree that the varnish is a durable finish and you can build layers to a glossy finish. And, a few say that the varnish is coated with west system epoxy.Top Customer Quotes:
- This is built for quick dry time, comes with high-gloss and it goes on well.
- Creates a durable, waterproof finish that won't fade.
- This can be done in as little as one hour at 72°f.
- This is oil based, it will have that yellow tinge.
Best With Low Odor: General Finishes Matt Floor Varnish
Buy on Amazon General Finishes offers a variety of varnish for personal choice and yet maintains quality in all the variants. The general finish matt floor varnish rock hard and it is perfect for great coverage. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. In addition, this has great results, is best for flat surfaces and it is made for satin sheen. Above all, the General Finishes Matt Floor Varnish gives a nice look and it is perfect for high quality.Almost all customers agree that the varnish is easy to use and user friendly finish. In addition, a few also found that the varnish is made for easy cleanup as well. Moreover, they strongly agree that the varnish does indeed dry very quickly. With no doubts, this varnish passed the test and had very satisfied buyers eager to share their experience.Top Customer Quotes:
- Dry time between coats is only 1 to 2 hours.
- This can be used in 35 years of woodworking.
- This is easy to apply and makes the wood grain look beautiful.
- This can be used in kitchen cabinets, holding up well, easy to apply, easy to clean.
Best For Cabinet: Rustoleum Smooth Finish
Buy on Amazon If you often find yourself scrambling for the appropriate and satisfactory varnish, Rustoleum Smooth Finish is your end point. The rustoleum smooth finish is best for high quality, is great for brand name and it is very flat. Rust-oleum ultimate polyurethane with soft touch is a durable and hard coating that feels softer to the touch than a traditional polyurethane. Also, it works wonders and it is more durable. The varnish is very smooth and it is made for satin sheen. Finally, the rustoleum smooth finish reduces the appearance of fingerprints and smudges.Most buyers quickly discovered that the varnish looks like wood and also works well on whites. In addition, they also found that the varnish is easy to brush, dries quickly to a nice satin finish though a little on the shiny side. Also, a few say that this standard poly urethane would be water proof to a degree, but have you ever seen a white ring on a coffee table or end table. In short, buyers found this to be one of the best varnish for daily purposes.Top Customer Quotes:
- This is great for those looking for a satin topcoat with slightly less sheen.
- Wait 5-10 minutes to dry and apply a 2nd light coat.
- This provides a durable, protective finish for various types of indoor wood surfaces.
- This is hands down the best matte poly on the market.
Best For Handrail: Varathane Matt Floor Varnish
Buy on Amazon For a low asking price, Varathane Matt Floor Varnish has managed to overwhelm their customers by packing as many features as they could. The varathane matt floor varnish works like a charm, is very happy and it dries very quickly. Crystal clear finish that never yellows. In addition, it allows for good coverage, is very shiny and it does the trick. The varnish is great for high quality, is made with low odor and it is great for direct sunlight. Also, the varnish is odorless and it looks great. Lastly, the varathane matt floor varnish provides a classic and natural look.Almost all customers found that the varnish would be getting a lot of use. And, a few say that the varnish comes out really well. To add to that, it has held up really well. Also, a few also found that the folks who use water based paint latex coatings to paint the bedroom walls often report headaches or dizziness from the glycol solvents. Obviously, this product passed the test and had very satisfied buyers eager to share their experience.Top Customer Quotes:
- This is intended as an interior wood finish.
- This has great results, drys quickly and it provides for ease of application.
- They are both chock full of teeny, tiny bubbles.
- This finish is great for dining tables and surfaces that need extra protection.
Best For Stained Wood: Minwax Matt Floor Varnish
Buy on Amazon Minwax makes beautiful and great varnish with classic and smartly chosen materials. The Minwax Matt Floor Varnish is made for new floors or floors that need to be refinished, minwax fast-drying polyurethane or minwax super fast-drying polyurethane for floors should be used. Minwax water based wipe-on poly is a durable, clear finish that combines polyurethane protection with classic, hand-rubbed beauty. look. This product must be sure to allow wood that has been stained to dry completely before top coating with minwax wipe - on poly. The varnish is great with the end result, is ideal for direct sunlight and it is great for customer service. Moreover, it works very well, goes on easily and it is more durable. Finally, the minwax matt floorvarnish provides a durable layer of topcoat protection but it is thinner than regular polyurethanes.Most buyers find that the varnish can be used on an unfinished surface, obviously, but you can apply it over paint. And, a few say that the varnish is designed to eliminate brush application. Moreover, a few also found that the answer is more about how long the water sits on the surface than how much. With no doubts, this product passed the test and had very satisfied buyers eager to share their experience.Top Customer Quotes:
- This is also fast drying plus it takes at least 5 coats.
- This is as good as the regular poly.
- This will be easier to apply if the doors are removed.
- This is the benefit of using minwax wipe-on poly versus a traditional polyurethane.
Best For Worth The Money: Epifanes Matt Floor Varnish
Buy on Amazon The Epifanes Matt Floor Varnish is specially designed for your regular usage and has all useful features. The epifanes mattfloor varnish is great for exterior doors, is made with beautiful results and it has followed the instructions. High build, hard matte finish without sanding between coats. And, the varnish is made for worth the money and it is made for protection of teak. The varnish comes with great stuff and it is ideal for salt air. Also, it is designed for wooden boats and it went on easily. Most importantly, the epifanes matt floor varnish is good for other fine hardwoods, is great for the end result and it looks nice.Most customers opine that the varnish has an extremely light amber hue on pine. Moreover, a few strongly agree that the varnish has displayed very good adhesion and flexibility. Also, they also found that the reason some will say to use gloss finishes first then top coat with satin or flat is that when you build up coats of satin or flat, it can appear cloudy due to the particulates in the finish that reduce the sheen. Overall, at the price, they believe that they got a steal of a deal with it.Top Customer Quotes:
- This can be used on mahogany, but it should be fine on pine.
- Soft matte beauty with outstanding u.v. protection for teak and other fine hardwoods.
- Microscopic porosity properties allow no sanding between coats for up to 72 hours.
- High build, hard matte finish without sanding between coats. (If recoated within 72 hours).
Best For Superior Durability: Rustoleum Matt Floor Varnish
Buy on Amazon The Rustoleum Matt Floor Varnish's high-end materials make sure that it ages well with use. The rustoleum matt floor varnish comes with great stuff, provides excellent coverage and it is great for food stains. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Furthermore, it went on well and it looks like glass. The varnish allows for great shine, it drys fast and has an elegant design. Moreover, the varnish is manufactured in the United States. Lastly, the rustoleum matt floor varnish has superior durability, abrasion resistance and scuff resistance.Most buyers agree that the varnish is good stuff, but real wood floors constantly expand and contract. And, they also found that the varnish is easy to use and very green. Also, they strongly agree that the first coat will soak in even more than on wood. In conclusion, for almost all buyers, it was what they were looking for.Customers say that getting a waterborne polyurethane floor finish, along with varnish is useful.
Top Customer Quotes:
- This looks milky in the can but dries clear.
- This is made with low odor and it looks great.
- This is easy to clean and leaves a brilliant shine.
- This is gallon gls wb flr finish.
Best For Front Door: Zar Matt Floor Varnish
Buy on Amazon The Zar Matt Floor Varnish should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. The zar mattfloor varnish has low-odor and it turned out nice. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Also, it dries very fast and it is great for a fair price. The varnish is ultra flat and it is for exterior use. Furthermore, this went on easily, is dead flat and it has removed doors. Finally, the zar matt floorvarnish is an incredibly fast-drying, oil-based polyurethane that dries to a smooth finish on bare wood, in just two hours, with no brush marks.Most buyers quickly discovered that the varnish can use a hair drier to get rid of bubbles... Youtube on how. And, they strongly agree that the varnish can be topcoated with oil - based poly urethane, You can use this. Moreover, a few strongly agree that the varnish is easier to use than the poly available in the bigbox stores. In short, at the price, they believe that they got a steal of a deal with it.Top Customer Quotes:
- This provides a true flat matte finish to your surface.
- This looks like a fine piece of woodworking.
- This looks like a quality oil finish but is a highly durable urethane finish.
- This reads the instructions and it is great for floors.
Best For Satin Sheen: Jolie Matt Floor Varnish
Buy on Amazon We know from years of feedback from readers, amazon sellers, and family and friends what most people want in a convenient and appropriate varnish. The Jolie matt floor varnish is exactly that - it's a simple varnish that hits all the right notes. The Jolie matt floor varnish is a great option for transforming outdated cabinetry, including kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Manufacturer says: Follow along with the tutorial by visiting our youtube channel. Further, the varnish is used to paint large, hard-wearing surfaces such as floors. The varnish is made for satin sheen and it adds depth. And, the varnish is available in over 40 beautiful colors that can be mixed together to create thousands of custom colors. Above all, the Jolie matt floor varnish can be used on furniture and accessories that will primarily be used outside.Why We Like This:
- Layer wax to create additional character and depth in your finish.
- It produces a satin sheen for added strength on surfaces that need it most.
- Creating custom colors allows you to make your project even more personalized.
- Dries quickly in only 24 hours.