Lacquered Or Oiled Wood Flooring? Here's How To Choose

One of the features of wood flooring that we often leave unconsidered until just before purchasing is the finish they'll choose for their new flooring. While it's likely to leave this choice pretty much to the final minute, it is well worth knowing that the alternatives that are open to you. In this guide, we'll give you a clear and speedy overview of both most commonly selected and many popular wood floors finishes; lacquered and oiled.

Lacquered Finish Wood Floor

What can it be?

A lacquer is a bit like a modern day varnish and is applied to a timber flooring for a way of protecting the ground and often giving it a shine. Lacquer effectively sits on the cover of the wood and does not sink in like oil does.

When should you choose it?

A lacquer finish is perfect in a room in which you expect either high or heavy footfall or where you need a gloss or gloss finish.

Ease of Caution

The fantastic thing about a lacquered finish on the floor is the fact that it gets a bit water resistant. Nevertheless, it is never a fantastic idea to dab a lot of water around on any wood flooring. The 1 drawback of a lacquered hardwood flooring is the fact that it has a propensity to show scratches more readily than an oiled flooring. Due to this, once the floor eventually ends up looking worn and tired, the most appropriate plan of action is generally a re-sand and re-finish.

Protection Degree

The security provided by lacquered wood end is possibly the toughest of and this is most likely why, at the fantastic old days, fitness centers and dance halls were completed this manner, instead of just waxed or oiled. Nevertheless, since lacquer sits along with the timber, if it's worn off with tear and wear, the bare timber is left vulnerable and prone to damage.

Visual Influence

All that said, even a matt finish will have a small glow to it. So when you're picking a lacquered finish on your floor, it is essential to know about the glow you'll receive.

Benefits and disadvantages

Among the greatest things about lacquered finish hardwood floors is that clogs, if they are consumed fairly quickly, will not seep in the body of the flooring. The principal downside when you select a lacquer is the fact that it will scuff and scratch more easily than the usual end, so it is doubly important to purchase very good doormats and sweep or vacuum frequently.

Additional options available

As already mentioned, you can select either a high gloss, either a matt finish, or anything in between when you select lacquer as your finish, however there's another choice that's particularly appealing in case your room receives a significant amount of sunshine. This really is a UV filter, which works as a sunscreen and assists prevent your becoming stung by an excessive amount of sunshine.

Oiled Finish Wood Floor

What can it be?

Now generally between a hardwax oil, oiled finish wood flooring provides both a surface protection and a deep penetrating defense.

When should you choose it?

An oiled finish is the perfect answer when you're on the lookout for a natural looking finish for your hardwood flooring. Broadly speaking, this solution will provide you a wonderful natural, matt appearance.

Ease of Caution

Though Engineered hardwood floors is slightly higher maintenance on an ongoing basis than lacquered wood flooring, it tends to need fewer important interventions since the security goes deeper than the surface. Unlike lacquered end, once the upper layer of oil finish gets worn away, there's still a degree of protection under. And like every wooden floor, should you protect it with great doormats, and sweep or vacuum it regularly and give it a light mopping, it'll stand the test of time nicely.

Protection degree

The fantastic thing about Engineered hardwood floors finish is the fact that it goes deep into the center of the wood and provides not only protection on the surface, but to the center also, meaning your wood is protected to the maximum.

Visual effect

Oiled wood floors has a very natural look and enables the colour of the timber to deepen over the years.

Benefits and disadvantages

The great thing about oiled finishes is your floor looks like it has no protection applied whatsoever. What's more, there really are no disadvantages of this kind of finish.

Additional Choices available

Oiled flooring finishes often arrive with a brushed effect, which serves to open the grain of the wood much more, further enhancing the organic look. Particular finishes may also come with a UV filter.

If you're struggling to decide between oiled and lacquered finish wood flooring, why not get in touch so we can talk in further detail about which option will work best for your project?