WOOD FLOOR FINISHES: THE BASICS

Wood flooring finishes can be divided into two groups – Lacquers & Varnishes and Oils & Waxes.

Lacquer or varnish wood finishes

Lacquer or varnish wood finishes form a durable, protective barrier on the surface of the wood flooring. They generally contain flattening agents to fill wood grain and create a sleeker looking finish that look ‘manufactured’ or less natural. They are normally available in a choice of matt, satin and gloss.

Lacquer or varnish wood flooring is initially resilient and quite low maintenance but has a finite lifespan. They will eventually need to be sanded back and re-applied. How often exactly will depend on the product and the level of traffic across the wood floor. In our experience, it is usually about every 3-5 years. If your wood flooring is coloured or has a texture this will be affected by sanding, and, in the majority of cases, it won’t be possible to recreate the same look.

Oil and wax wood finishes

Oil and wax wood finishes protect wood flooring by penetrating the wood and creating a more natural look than a varnish or lacquer. Oil finishes for wood flooring are typically matt whilst wax finishes are more satin, especially when polished. Both are easy to apply and can be refurbished without sanding, but need regular reapplication and maintenance to remain effective. Oil finishes generally need a maintenance coat applied after fitting before first use.

Hardwax Oil wood FLOOR finishes 

In our experience Hardwax Oil wood flooring finishes are best suited to modern living and commercial use as they provide the best of both worlds. They create a natural look that is easy to renovate in the same way as oil and wax finishes – ideal for coloured wood flooring or wood flooring with a textured surface. They also provide durability,  choice of sheen level and are low maintenance.

All Broadleaf wood flooring is supplied finished and sealed with Hardwax Oil for this reason. We also supply hardwax oil finishes separately if you want to finish your floor in-situ. It can also be used to renovate flooring that was originally finished with hardwax oil.