Re-Oiling Wooden Floors

Preserve the natural beauty of your wooden floors with our re-oiling service! We can restore and protect the colour of white oiled or grey washed floors as well.

Why re-oiling wooden floors?

Many wooden floor owners prefer oil as a finish due to its natural feel and for the oil's main benefit – it can be reapplied multiple times without sanding. Oil based products soak into the wood itself and offer in-depth protection but at the same time don’t protect the surface as well as lacquers do. It is a good choice when you want to go for a specific look or to repel water.

As a trusted provider of floor restoration services and products, at FloorWorks we use selected quality oil-based sealants. These include Osmo, Ciranova and Blanchon.

If you have your wooden floors finished in oil / hard wax oil, they will require a maintenance coat to be applied every 16 - 24 months for residential or 6-8 month for commercial use floors.

What you need to know about oiled floors?

Oiled wooden floors have unique characteristics and maintenance requirements that set them apart from other types of flooring finishes. Here are some key points to know about oiled wooden floors:

• Hardwax-oils provide a natural look and feel. Oiled floors have a natural, matte finish that enhances the wood's grain and texture, giving it a warm and authentic appearance.

• Oil is an easy to penetrate finish. Unlike surface finishes like lacquer or polyurethane, oil penetrates the wood, providing protection from within. This allows the wood to "breathe" and maintain its natural properties.

• A finish, which is easy to repair. Oiled floors are relatively easy to repair. Minor scratches and scuffs can be treated locally without needing to refinish the entire floor.

• This is eco-friendly option. Many wood oils are made from natural ingredients and are non-toxic, making them a healthier option for indoor environments.

• It requires periodic re-coating. Depending on the level of use, oiled floors need to be re-oiled periodically, typically once or twice a year. This helps maintain the protective layer and keeps the wood looking fresh.

• Prone to staining. Oiled floors can be more prone to staining from spills if not wiped up promptly. The oil finish doesn’t provide as strong a barrier as polyurethane.

• Color change over time. Over time, oiled floors can develop a patina, and the color of the wood can change due to exposure to light and air. This is often considered part of the natural aging process.

• Sensitive to humidity & temperature changes finish. Oiled floors can be affected by humidity and temperature changes more than sealed floors. It's important to maintain a stable indoor environment to prevent the wood from expanding or contracting excessively.

• Good product compatibility. When re-oiling, ensure compatibility between the existing oil and the new product. Some oils may not blend well with others, leading to uneven finishes.

By understanding these aspects, you can better appreciate the beauty and practicality of oiled wooden floors and ensure they remain a stunning feature in your home for years to come.

The process of re-oiling

Wooden floors can be re-oiled without the need of sanding, but it entirely depends on the amount of wear and tear the floor has suffered. If the wearing is minor, you will be fine by just having your floor buffed. Buffing is when any small scratches and dents are removed with a specialised buffing machine. Think of it as a sanding lite. In either case, no furniture must be present in the room before beginning.

• Preparation & cleaning of timber surface. The first thing to do is to make sure the floor is clean. Neutral floor cleaner or warm water will do just fine. As mentioned before, an excessive amount of water will do more harm than good. A damp rag or mop is perfectly fine.

• During the buffing, we use some of the finer grits (150 - 180 grit). The use of professional equipment is not even mandatory yet doing it by hand will take a lot more effort.

• After the buffing is complete the dust accumulated during the process must be cleaned and vacuumed. Special attention must be paid to gaps between floorboards because they naturally tend to collect more.

• The new coat(s) should be allowed to dry and cure as per the manufacturer’s instructions. This typically takes 6-12 hours. Walking on the floor during this time should be avoided to prevent any marks or damage.

The re-oiling itself is a rather straightforward task. It’s best applied with a pile roller, a brush for harder to reach places and a bucket for the finish. Usually, two coats of hardwax oil are enough to do an acceptable job but third won’t hurt.

Re-oiling at the right time saves you money

Wood floor re-oiling a service you should be looking for before you floor has suffered from wear and tear for a prolonged period of time. When using oil based finish, you must be aware it requires relatively often and regular maintenance. If you wait for too long and the floors ger badly scratched adn damaged, you might need an overall floor sanding and resealing instead.

Re-oiling does not require a lot of time and planning, just give us a call and we will deliver the service with minimum interruption for the household.