Choosing the Right Finish for Your Oak Flooring: A Guide to Hardwax Oil, UV Oil, and Lacquer
At Elesco, we offer a wide variety of finishes for your oak flooring, including hardwax oil, UV oil, and lacquer. Each finish offers distinct benefits and is suited to different needs and preferences. As wooden floors, particularly popular designs like herringbone, mansion weave, and planks, continue to rise in demand, it's important to select the best finish for your lifestyle and space.
Hardwax Oils: Rich Color and Natural Matt Finish
Hardwax oils are buffed into the flooring, where their high solids content dries to form a hard, protective layer. Once applied, the floor is left on drying racks for 24-48 hours between coats to fully cure. Multiple coats are added to achieve a durable, long-lasting finish. At Elesco, we also apply additional clear coats for extra protection. The result is a deep, rich color with a natural matte appearance that enhances the wood's beauty.
Caring for a hardwax oil floor is straightforward. We recommend applying a coat of maintenance oil after installation and then annually to preserve the finish and protect the floor for many years. Hardwax oil finishes are suitable for most rooms but are not recommended for wet areas or spaces with high humidity fluctuations.
UV Oil: Fast Curing and Enhanced Durability
Like hardwax oil, UV oil is buffed into the flooring, but the drying process is different. After application, the UV oil is cured instantly under a UV light, allowing additional coats to be applied immediately or the flooring to be packed for shipment. This faster curing process reduces lead times for clients without compromising durability.
UV oil offers a slightly more durable finish than hardwax oil but doesn’t deliver the same richness of color. Maintenance is similar, with annual applications of maintenance oil recommended to keep the floor looking its best.
Both hardwax and UV oil finishes are easy to repair. For minor wear in high-traffic areas, a simple application of maintenance oil (without sanding) will restore the floor's original beauty. For more severe damage, the area can be sanded and re-oiled onsite. However, UV oil repairs require a high-intensity UV light for proper curing.
We offer over 250 standard shades of hardwax and UV oil finishes, and we can adjust the sheen level to suit your preferences—from ultra-matte to high gloss. Every floor is custom-finished to your exact specifications.
Lacquer: High Resistance but Limited Color Options
Lacquer finishes, made from polyurethane, offer the best resistance to liquids, making them ideal for high-traffic areas such as bars or restaurants. However, lacquer finishes are harder to maintain and repair compared to oil finishes. While a lacquered floor can still wear over time, restoring it is more difficult, and fewer color options are available.
Because of these limitations, we typically recommend hardwax or UV oil for most residential and commercial flooring projects. These finishes not only offer superior color options and durability but are also easier to maintain and repair, making them a more practical choice for modern living.
Why We Recommend Hardwax and UV Oils
At Elesco, we prioritize hardwax and UV oils because they provide the best combination of color flexibility, durability, and ease of maintenance. We always apply multiple clear topcoats to enhance the finish's longevity and ensure your floor remains beautiful for years to come.
All of our finishes are available for any flooring design, including herringbone, mansion weave, and plank. Visit Elesco Flooring for more information about our full range of products and finishes.
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