Oil – Oiled floors have existed for several thousand years and is the most common floor finish used globally. They come in many different names including, true oil, UV cured oil and hard wax oil to name a few. “True” oil used for floor finishing are natural drying oils of vegetable origin that are not to be confused with petroleum based oils and contain no VOCs. Many pre-finished oil floors can be dried in seconds using a UV light. This is where the term UV cured oil comes from. At the end of the day, and oil floor is an oil floor.
Oil finishes are non-toxic with no biocides, preservatives or benzenes. These finishes offer a range of colors and create a natural matte appearance for the wood. In addition to providing color to the wood, oil finishes will keep it from drying out over time, protecting against warping and weakening. The oil permeates the wood and acts as a barrier against stains and moisture. Yet, the cells of the wood are not closed off, so the floor is allowed to breathe. This can prevent mold. Because the oil hardens the wood, it extends the life of your floor, making it look nicer for longer periods of time.
An oil finished floor is more water resistant than polyurethane-finished floors because they more readily allow for expansion and contraction. A polyurethane-finished floor essentially creates a plastic film over the wood, which can trap moisture and damage the floor.
With oil, the actual finishing process is much easier and faster than traditional urethane finishes. This means that the repair process is easier as well. Hard-wax oil finished floors can be spot-repaired with just a light sanding of the affected area followed by a topical coat of oil.
When compared against polyurethanes, oil finishes do not have a lot of downside. Floors finished with oil do require a periodic coat of maintenance oil. This process is not difficult, though, and does not require a trained professional. After applying maintenance oil, you will notice a change in sheen level. However, the floor will return to its original gloss level after a few days. An oil finished floor is that like a comfortable leather jacket. The finished floor gains more character over time and gets better with age.
