Mono and diallyl ethers of butane-, (Z)-2-butene-, and 2-butyne-1,4-diols prepared by phase transfer-catalyzed O-allylation of the diols in aq. 33 or 50% NaOH over Bu4N+HSO4- with allyl chloride, were used, 0-20%, to photopolymerize (quartz lamp, 180 W, lambda(max) = 336 nm) an epoxy resin (Epidian 6) and an unsaturated polyester resin (Estromal 103) with 0-7% triarylsulfonium salts (containing PF6- or SbF6-) as cationic photoinitiators or Irgacure 184 as a radical initiator. The resins were cured for 2 and 35 min, resp. The varnish coats were high quality, insoluble in H2O, C6H6, acetone, toluene, xylene, MeOH, and Et2O; their drying times were shorter, impact strength enhanced, and adhesion (to glass, metal, plastics, and wood) good. The ethers acted as plasticizers and lowered T-g of the cured compositions, the more so, the higher the content. Ether structure and content affected impact strength equally much.