Hardwood flooring comes in a wide range of colors and stains. Either pre-finished or finished onsite after installation, hardwood flooring finishes provide protection, enhance the appearance, and increase durability. Consumers may be surprised at the choices available for finishing hardwood, including popular, eco-friendly methods with an oil base.
Deciding between natural oil finish vs UV oil finish on hardwood floors requires an understanding of the processes and benefits of each option.
Basics of Natural Oil Finish for Wood Flooring
Natural oil finishes are derived from vegetable oils and typically do not contain waxes or aromatic solvents. One of the key advantages of an oil finish is its ability to penetrate the wood. Instead of forming a surface coating, the oil soaks into the wood and hardens internally, creating a thin protective layer. This finish gives the wood a matte appearance, which helps to make scratches and dents less noticeable. It is also easy to repair, as new oil seamlessly blends with the existing finish over time.
Unlike urethane-coated hardwood, flooring finished with natural oils maintains its appearance over the years. To preserve the finish, it is recommended to clean oil-finished hardwood with specially formulated soap. With proper care and maintenance, this type of flooring can last a lifetime and beyond. Natural oils must be applied on-site, allowing the wood planks to breathe naturally. This process creates a more uniform, aesthetically pleasing look and enhances the comfort of walking on the floor.
Is UV Oil Finish Better in Any Way?
Natural oil finish hardwood delivers a host of benefits and impressive longevity. What can UV oil-finished wood floors bring to the table as an alternative? Both finishes offer a similar look, although UV oil can be done in a satin finish that suits many commercial applications. This low-luster appearance helps to hide dents and scratches more than any other type of finish, making it ideal for high-traffic areas. A low gloss level of around 10 percent is difficult to achieve with other types of finish, and the thin finish is flexible, making it more difficult to scratch or flake off. UV oil finish contains more solids than natural oil finishes and does not contain solvents.
Natural oil is eco-friendly, but using UV oil ensures that VOC gases will not be introduced into your home. A relatively stable level of humidity must be maintained with UV oil finishes. This could require the use of a dehumidifier or humidifier. Avoid wet mopping both types of oil finish and use only soft brooms and approved products to clean the floor.
Keep in mind that plastic or rubber backing on area rugs can stain the finish of your hardwood floor. When deciding between a natural oil finish and a UV oil finish, personal preference plays a significant role. Do you prefer the satin sheen provided by UV oil, and are you comfortable with the product’s more specific maintenance requirements? Or does the look and ease of maintenance offered by natural oil finish suit your needs better?
Talk to your flooring retailer about the options and bring home some samples to have a closer look.