The finish should not be chosen randomly. Your choice should be made between a pre-oiled floor or a pre-varnished floor based on their characteristics and the use of your floor.
Pre-oiled flooring
The characteristics of a floor with a pre-oiled finish:
One of the main advantages of this floor finish is that ecological oil (derived from untreated natural products), which is therefore harmless to the environment and our health, is generally easier to find than ecological varnish. However, it should be noted that new varnishes are made from much less harmful products than before, and you will find ecological varnishes sold by flooring professionals who respect the environment as much as oils. Therefore, pay particular attention to the quality of the product before buying it. To do this, check its components and trust professionals who know wood flooring well.
Although a pre-oiled hardwood floor needs to be maintained more often than a pre-varnished floor because it will show marks more, notably because oil is less resistant and waterproof than varnish, the maintenance techniques for a pre-oiled floor remain simple. On a daily basis, the surface of the pre-oiled floor can be cleaned using only a broom, vacuum cleaner, and a damp cloth. However, they must be regularly maintained using a specific cleaning product to avoid damaging its surface.
Depending on the method used to spray the oil, some floors can be repaired and cleaned very easily. You can indeed repair or give a great shine to certain oiled floors by easily performing targeted actions on damaged areas. Be careful, however, and first inquire about the spraying method before making your choice.
Pre-varnished flooring
The characteristics of a floor with a pre-varnished finish:
Pre-varnished flooring offers a natural and matte look to your floor. It also allows you to choose from a wide range of lustres.
There are now water-based varnishes that are ecological and of very high quality.
Because a pre-varnished floor requires the application of several layers of varnish, the surface then benefits from excellent protection and good durability. It is also the aluminum oxide present in the varnish that gives extreme resistance to the floor.
Pre-varnished floors can be cleaned regularly and very simply using a clean cloth, a mop, water, and a suitable quality cleaner.
The varnishes used nowadays on floor coverings dry quickly and can be applied before installation. Pre-varnished floors are very popular and appreciated because they allow for quick installation and quick occupation of the premises since varnish can be applied before installing the floor in a room.
To be renovated, a pre-varnished floor requires a complete sanding of the entire surface. This can be considered one of the disadvantages of pre-varnished floors since the floor will sometimes have to be sanded to erase signs of wear. After sanding, at least one sealer and two new layers of varnish will need to be applied to give the floor adequate resistance.
Pre-oiled and pre-varnished hardwood floors each have their characteristics, flaws, and qualities. To make the right choice between one finish and the other, choose mainly based on your use of the floor and the characteristics that are most important to you. Take the time to think about how to maintain a floor according to the chosen finish. Neither finish requires very complicated maintenance, but it’s better to be well-informed to avoid any damage later on and in daily use.
