McKays 5 Best Loved Oiled Floor Finishes

Whether you choose engineered wood or solid wood flooring, you can get a ton of different finishes. An oil finish shows off the natural beauty of the wood while adding a layer of protection and nourishment. Over time, wood flooring can lose its sheen. You can refresh and revive your wood flooring with oil. Keep reading to find out McKays five best loved oiled floor finishes to upgrade your decor. 

In this article: 

• Lacquered vs Oil Finished Wood Flooring 
• Why is it Important to Oil Your Wood Flooring?
• 5 of the Best Oiled Floor Finishes 

When it comes to wood floor finishes, you will likely have to decide between lacquered or oil finishes. In terms of cost, there isn’t a huge difference between the two. Traditionally, oiled flooring would have a matt finish, and lacquer looked glossy. But with changes in technology, you can have a glossy oil finish or an ultra-matt looking lacquer. 

The main difference between the two finishes comes down to performance. Lacquer tends to be more water-resistant than oil; however, it shows scratches more easily. An oil finish is great for a natural finish. What’s good about an oil finish is that the oil goes deeper into the wood and provides protection on a surface level and deep into the core. Often, oil finished flooring looks like nothing has been applied so that you can achieve a natural effect. 

An oil finish will increase the longevity of your wood flooring. Wood flooring is an investment. You want to take steps to make it last longer and keep it looking great. The oil will protect the surface and will keep it looking newer for longer. When first buying wood flooring, you need to use a finish like oil or lacquer to protect it from damage. 

Another way you can use oil finishes is to revive wood flooring. So, if your flooring is looking a bit scratched and has lost its initial sheen, you can sand down the flooring to buff out scratches and scuffs. You can then top it off with an oil finish. This brings out the natural design details in the wood and rejuvenates a tired-looking flooring. 

Whether you’re deciding on a finish for your new wood flooring or looking to revive an old wood flooring, here are five of the best oiled floor finishes to consider. 

Natural oil is a common finish for engineered wood flooring. It gives a classic and natural look to the board. In general, you need to reapply oil more often than lacquer. But this is easy to do while still retaining the natural beauty of the wood. 

Ultraviolet (UV) oiled floors are dried with UV light. Usually, wood treated with UV oil has more shine than air-dried boards. It’s similar to lacquer but brings out more of the natural features of the wood. This type of oil protects the wood and is resistant to scratches and scuffs. 

Hardwax oil is a wood finish that consists of three layers of wax. The oil quickly penetrates the wood and strengthens the flooring. The wax creates a hard protective layer on the surface of the floorboard. This protects the flooring from moisture and also, general wear and tear.

Danish oil is another popular wood finish. It’s a combination of oil, varnish, and thinner. The mixture brings out the natural beauty in the wood while creating a layer of protection. Danish oil helps to enrich and darken the look of natural wood. 

When wood flooring is brushed, it creates a textured surface. You can get a light to a heavy brushed effect using a wire rotary brush. After brushing the wood, you can use an oil finish to increase protection and resistance to scratches. 

You can use one or a combination of finishes to create a specific look. Whether you’re installing a new wood flooring or looking to freshen up your existing flooring, an oiled finish can increase the natural beauty of the wood while increasing protection.