Oiled parquet
Unlike waxed parquet, oiled parquet has a non-film-forming finish (which is not limited to the surface of the wood). Oiled parquet enhances the appearance of raw wood.
However, an oiled parquet has two disadvantages compared to a lacquered or varnished parquet:
- Regular maintenance: reapply a coat every six months to a year
- Irreversibility: an oiled parquet is deeply impregnated, not just on the surface
Oiled floors, cozy atmosphere
The trend for natural and rustic-looking floors is gaining momentum and oiled floors, which have a very distinctive finish, are growing in popularity. Easy to maintain, they create a pleasant environment and give us back the true feeling of the warmth of wood.
Natural oils for your floors
The main natural oils used for finishing oiled floors are linseed oil and tung oil. Boiled linseed oil penetrates deeply into the wood and dries to create a surface resistant to water and alcohol, without altering the natural color of the wood. Tung oil is a fast-drying oil extracted from the nut of the tung tree. Also known as China wood oil, this oil is generally used in fine wood finishes and marine varnishes. Most natural oils have no negative effects on indoor air quality, unlike some primers that can release chemical vapors. While these products may take weeks to fully evaporate, natural oils obtained from plants are usually safe.
An oiled floor should never be resanded
We simply apply a new oil – specially designed for this purpose – every three or four years, always before it turns white. Each time, it grows in beauty until it has the silky appearance and desirable patina of the parquet floors in old European homes.
But if your floor is maple, refrain from oiling it, as its grain is so tight that it would prevent deep penetration.
A healthy floor is wood that breathes
The main quality of oiled finishes lies in the fact that they allow the wood to breathe. When wood is varnished or lacquered, it loses its ability to absorb and release moisture and can crack. Oiled floors resist temperature variations better and can even be used in the bathroom. The oil penetrates deeply into the pores of the wood, giving it good resistance to abrasion and preserving the matte and natural appearance of the parquet. The oil brings out the wood grain, and imperfections become less apparent than with a varnished or lacquered finish. The oiled finish is done by impregnating the wood. This technique, which increases the resistance and longevity of the parquet, also facilitates maintenance. Daily floor maintenance is done with a broom or vacuum cleaner. Oiled floors should be cleaned regularly with a well-wrung damp cloth. Oiled floors should not be cleaned with a degreasing product! Over time, the oiled floor becomes easier to maintain and more resistant, and it acquires a patina reminiscent of old wooden parquet floors.
VARNISHED FLOORS
Characteristics of varnish for parquet floors
Varnish is very different from oil. It is applied as a layer that does not nourish the wood, but remains on the surface and protects it.
It’s important to choose your varnish carefully. Ideally, it should be non-flammable. It’s also important to ensure that it is not toxic and has no odor.
Varnish is used to protect parquet floors, floorboards, and stairs. It also preserves their aesthetic appearance. Oils and varnishes differ in quality and price. It’s important to research well before making a purchase.
Another point to consider for varnish is the shade. Indeed, varnish is generally not neutral and gives color to the wood. It will be useful to test the varnish on a floorboard to ensure it’s the desired color.
By opting for a varnish for your parquet, you will protect your floors for years to come while preserving their beauty.
Varnished parquet, vitrified parquet:
The varnish applied in several layers on the still raw wooden parquet forms an invisible and waterproof protective film. It allows little breathing of the wood and thus prevents scratches or stains from embedding in the wood. Color variations after oxidation and exposure to light are minor, even if they exist. Recent innovations have made it possible to offer a wide choice of varnishes with very varied finishes: glossy, satin, and matte.
There are 3 levels of shine:
- Matte: very low gloss varnish, perfectly imitates an oiled finish, but with the advantages
- of varnish
- Satin: medium gloss varnish, by far the most common
- Glossy: allows you to obtain a mirror effect on your parquet
Depending on the appearance of the varnish, impacts and scratches left by normal use will be more or less visible. What to remember: the more glossy a varnish is, the more visible the scratches are. Conversely, the more matte a varnish is, the less noticeable the signs of wear are.
Some varnishes are ultra-high-performance and are even developed for use in high-traffic areas and are authorized for application on parquet for use classes 3 and 4 (professional and industrial).
Depending on the use and intensity of traffic and impacts, the varnish has a long lifespan between 10 and 15 years.
Maintenance of varnished floors
For routine cleaning: a mild shampoo for vitrified parquet maintains and revives the metallized finish.
In case of heavy soiling of the varnished parquet: use a stripper for vitrified parquet and renew the application of metallized shampoo.
In all cases, refer to the product usage instructions.
New water-based varnishes: healthy and durable
Water-based floor varnishes were long shunned by professionals who preferred urethane (crystal), a very toxic product, but giving a more glossy finish. Fortunately, the trend is now reversed.
The technology of water-based varnishes has evolved very rapidly in recent years. Today, some of them are three times more resistant to wear than urethane varnishes and can offer all degrees of shine.
The choice of varnishes
Varnish is composed of a solvent and a resin. The solvent dilutes the resin and evaporates into the house air after application, leaving the solid film that forms the varnish to harden. Varnishes are grouped based on their solvent: oil-based, water-based, or alcohol-based products. Resins can be urethane, acrylic, or hybrid, such as oil-modified urethane. So you can have a water-based varnish (the solvent), but with an urethane-oil resin.
Among oil-based products, there are polyurethane varnishes that air-cure and urethane varnishes that moisture-cure. Polyurethane varnish is sold only at retailers for consumers looking for an economical product that’s easy to apply with a roller. It’s not very durable, it yellows quickly, has a strong odor, and takes a long time to dry (16 to 24 hours).
Urethane varnishes are products intended for contractors. Due to the toxicity of their solvents, they have been banned in the United States for several years.
Alcohol-based varnishes have been used in Quebec since 2005 by specialized contractors. They are as resistant and toxic as urethane varnishes, but unlike the latter, they allow windows to be opened for ventilation during application, which greatly reduces their toxicity.
Water-based varnishes have almost no odor. They are by far the healthiest for indoor air quality and the most environmentally friendly in their manufacture.
