23 Feb 2023

Lacquered vs Brushed & Oiled Engineered Wood Flooring

Lacquered vs Brushed and Oiled Engineered Wood Flooring a battle among many, take a look at our in depth blog to find out which one may be best for you.

Real wood / Engineered flooring is a popular and timeless flooring option that can add warmth and character to any space. When choosing a finish for your real wood floor, there are two main options: Lacquered & Brushed and Oiled Engineered Wood Flooring. Both finishes have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, which we will explore in detail below.

Lacquered Finish: Lacquered finish involves applying a protective layer of polyurethane over the surface of the wood. This creates a hard, durable finish that is resistant to scratches, stains, and moisture. Lacquer also gives the wood a glossy appearance, which can enhance its natural beauty.

Pros:

• Hardwearing: Lacquered finishes are extremely durable and can withstand heavy foot traffic without showing signs of wear.
• Moisture Repellent: The polyurethane coating makes lacquered floors water-resistant, making them ideal for high-moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
• Low Maintenance: Lacquered floors require minimal maintenance as they do not need to be oiled or waxed regularly.

 

Cons:

• Limited Aesthetics: The glossy appearance of lacquer may not appeal to everyone’s taste.
• Scratches More Visible: While the lacquer does provide protection against scratches, when they do occur they are more visible than on an oiled floor.

 

Brushed and Oiled Finish: Brushed and oiled finishes involve brushing the surface of the wood with wire brushes to highlight its natural grain pattern before applying an oil-based finish. This gives the wood a natural-looking matte finish that is soft to touch.

Pros:

• Aesthetically Attractive: Brushed and oiled finishes have a natural look that enhances the beauty of real wood flooring.
• Scratches Less Visible: Any scratches or dents tend to blend in with this type of finish rather than stand out as they would on a lacquered floor.
• Easy Repairable: If scratched or damaged, it is easy to repair by simply sanding back the affected area and reapplying oil.

 

Cons:

• Needs Regular Maintenance: Oiled floors require regular maintenance such as re-oiling every few years depending on usage.
• Not Water Resistant: Brushed and oiled floors are not as water-resistant as those with a lacquered finish so may not be suitable for high-moisture areas like bathrooms.

 

Which Finish Is Better? The choice between these two finishes ultimately depends on personal preference and circumstances. For example:

If you have kids or pets who may scratch or damage your floor easily then a lacquered finish would be better suited for durability purposes.

On the other hand, if you prefer a natural-looking matte finished floor then brushed and oiled would be preferred but it needs regular maintenance compared to lacquer which requires minimal upkeep.

If you’re looking for a hardwearing solution in high moisture areas like kitchens then it would be best to choose one with a lacquered finish due to its excellent moisture repellent properties.

In conclusion, both finishes have their own unique advantages and disadvantages when it comes to aesthetics, durability, moisture replant properties etc.. It’s important to carefully consider all factors before deciding which one is right for your space – whether it’s longevity over aesthetic appeal; low maintenance over high maintenance; water resistance vs aesthetically pleasing etc.. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference but understanding what each option entails will help make an informed decision about your new real wood flooring investment.

If your interested to know which engineered floors we sell be sure to pay us a visit or check our extensive collection on our website here.