Protecting Your Investment and Enhancing Its Beauty
When you choose hardwood flooring, the type of finish you apply is just as important as the wood itself. The finish not only protects your floor from daily wear and tear but also defines its final look. The two most common types of finishes are oil-based and polyurethane.
At Meyer Floor Covering, we want you to understand the key differences between these options so you can choose a hardwood finish that suits your lifestyle and home. We proudly serve Lakewood, Tacoma, Puyallup, Gig Harbor, and Steilacoom.
At a Glance
Polyurethane finishes: Provide a durable protective surface, resist everyday scuffs, and require relatively little maintenance.
Oiled finishes: Enhance the natural texture and grain of hardwood while allowing minor scratches and worn spots to be repaired more easily.
Appearance: Polyurethane offers a range of sheens, while oil finishes typically provide a natural, understated look.
Maintenance: Polyurethane generally requires less frequent upkeep, whereas oiled floors need periodic re-oiling.
Choosing the right finish: Consider your household's activity level, preferred appearance, and willingness to perform routine maintenance.
Understanding Hardwood Floor Finishes: Polyurethane vs. Oil
Polyurethane Finishes: Durable Protection for Hardwood Floors
Polyurethane is the most common and traditional hardwood floor finish. It creates a hard, durable, plastic-like layer on top of the wood.
Durability: Polyurethane provides a highly durable and scratch-resistant surface. It is excellent for protecting the wood from moisture and scuffs.
Low Maintenance: A polyurethane-finished floor is very low maintenance. It requires only regular sweeping and a damp mop with a pH-neutral cleaner. No special cleaning products are needed.
Aesthetic: It comes in a variety of sheens, from high-gloss to a matte finish, allowing you to choose the level of shine you want.
The main drawback of a polyurethane finish is that it can scratch over time and can't be spot-repaired. If the floor is heavily worn, the entire room will need to be sanded and refinished.
Oiled Hardwood Floor Finishes: A Natural Look and Feel
Oil finishes penetrate deep into the wood fibers, protecting the floor from within. They do not create a protective top layer but rather saturate the wood.
Natural Feel: An oiled finish provides a rich, natural look and feel. It leaves the wood's texture and grain exposed, giving it a soft, earthy aesthetic. It also doesn't show minor scuffs and scratches as much as a glossy polyurethane finish.
Easy to Repair: This is the greatest advantage of an oiled finish. Minor scratches and worn spots can be easily spot-repaired with a new coat of oil, without having to sand and refinish the entire floor.
Aesthetic: The finish gives the wood a beautiful, deep, and luxurious appearance.
Oiled floors require more frequent maintenance, often needing a new coat of oil every year or two to maintain their protection and luster.
How to Choose the Best Hardwood Floor Finish for Your Home
Choose Polyurethane if you want a low-maintenance, highly durable floor that is protected from spills and scuffs. It's a great choice for busy households that need maximum protection and a hands-off approach to maintenance.
Choose Oiled if you love the natural feel of real wood, want a beautiful matte finish, and are willing to perform some routine maintenance to keep the floor looking its best.
Your choice should also reflect the look you want to achieve and the amount of upkeep you're comfortable with. If you're comparing wood species and flooring styles as well as finishes, explore our hardwood flooring options to help plan your project.
Make Your Hardwood Flooring Project More Manageable With Financing
Choosing a hardwood finish may be one part of a larger flooring project. If you're planning new hardwood floors or a broader home update, financing may help you spread the cost over time.
You can begin by planning your project and receiving a price quote, then explore available offers through the financing page.
Visit our financing page to learn more about our financing options, subject to credit approval.
Ready to Select the Perfect Hardwood Flooring and Finish? Visit Meyer Floor Covering
Our team at Meyer Floor Covering will guide you through your options. We'll help you find a floor that not only looks beautiful but also suits your lifestyle. Stop by our showroom in Lakewood, WA, or contact us today to learn more. We proudly serve Lakewood, Tacoma, Puyallup, Gig Harbor, and Steilacoom.
