As of late, we’ve seen a change in how customers want to coat their unfinished floors. Often when coating a timber surface, the options which contractors or customers are typically able to choose from consist of oil coating and staining the floor with a varnish.
Despite having these two options, clients have shifted towards staining floors as a coat of choice, as the varieties in stains are broader. With this being a more appealing finish for some homeowners , there are many aspects about oil coating that we would like to remind contractors and potential clients about the benefits associated with this particular finish.
Oil coating has been a highly regarded procedure for over a hundred years. Although they lack the gloss of plastic coatings, oil finishes give the surface a rich patina that especially suits antique flooring or exotic hardwood. They also can’t crack or peel the way surface coatings can.
Above is a Herringbone pattern floor that was installed by Hans Snr of Caufield Floors approximately 40 years ago and was only given its first re-coat since the original installation last week! The only two suitable options of finishing back then were Oil stain or Polyurethane
Even though having a less glossy appearance on the exterior may be considered a downside for some homeowners, there is heightened protection within the timber itself as the oil soaks into the timber, not just the surface.
Oil finishes don’t prevent floor damage as effectively as varnish, but the damage is much easier to repair. You can sand the wood without having to first remove the finish, and once you’re done, you only need to apply one coat of oil to blend the repair with the rest of the floor.
The advantages of Oil Coating are:
- Wood can be recoated without sanding the floor
- Any damages to the floor can be easily repaired compared to varnished floors
Contact us here to find out more on our range of finishes, patterns and repair jobs
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