What is the best way to finish a concrete floor?
I contacted several concrete polishers and they each told me something different. Some say use epoxy, some say don’t, I've even had some people suggest wax or Linseed oil. What do you recommend? I'd rather it not have VOCs but I also want it to be durable and not have to refinish it regularly.
We would agree with not using epoxy finishes. If they are applied before the concrete has sufficiently dried or if the concrete is not well-sealed from the ground it will absorb moisture over time and possibly cause problems, meaning they may start to bubble and flake over time. They will likely have toxins in them as well (though no worse than many other sealants and finishes), so they can also adversely affect interior air quality.
Our choice would be to use silicate sealants, which are effectively a liquid glass you spread over the floor and then burnish into the concrete. They are non-toxic and very durable. There are a few product options that will have different levels of shine as well as durability, see our page on finishing concrete floors with silicate densifiers for more details.