So you have finally
come to a decision on what type of wood needs to be installed on your floor.
With so many materials to choose from, making the decision to come up with one
wood material can be bewildering. Congratulations! But don’t rest on your
laurels just yet. There is still one thing you need to decide on – the finish
of your chosen wood floor. The two most popular finishes are lacquered finish
and oiled finish. Deciding between the two finishes can be quite daunting and
you shouldn’t make the decision based on the visual appeal of the finish alone.
If you can’t decide between the two, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you
come to a decision.
Appearance
Appearance
A lacquered finish is
shiny, while an oiled one has a muted matte finish. A lacquered finish comes in
high gloss, gloss, and matte. That said, even lacquered floors that come in
matte still have a little bit of shine to them. An oiled finish has a natural,
matte finish to it. With the passing of each year, the patina of the wood also
deepens, making it more beautiful and adding character to it as it ages.
Scratch resistance
Scratch resistance
A lacquered finish is
more water-resistant than an oiled finish. However, a lacquered wood finish
shows scratches more visibly than an oiled one. The lacquer sits on top of the
wood surface so when it recedes due to wear and tear, the bare wood is left
exposed to the air, making it more susceptible to abrasion.
Protection
A lacquered finish
protects just the surface of the wood. As for the oiled finish, the oil
protects from both the outside and inside the wood. The oil used in the finish deeply
penetrates the wood and makes it harder and stronger; it also has a protective
layer sitting on top of the wood. Unfortunately, to keep the natural finish as
well as the scent of wood, oiled wood floors need proper maintenance and
require oiling from time to time.
