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Oils
Penetrating oils are the most natural-looking finish available for timber floors. Rather than forming a film on the surface, they soak into the wood fibres and harden within the timber itself. The result is a floor that looks and feels like wood rather than a floor with something applied on top of it.
Oiled floors are tactile and warm. They tend to age gracefully, developing a patina over time rather than showing wear as surface damage. When they do need attention, maintenance is straightforward, a fresh coat of oil can be applied to the affected area without sanding back the whole floor.
It is worth noting that oil finishes of this type, such as monocoat products, are primarily suited to modern floor installations. For older and heritage floors, which were traditionally waxed rather than oiled, we generally recommend a polyurethane wax product such as Woodoc. This respects the original nature of the floor while providing appropriate protection for its age and character.
Oil finishes are particularly well suited to new solid hardwood installations where a natural, low-sheen result is the brief. The trade-off is maintenance frequency — oiled floors need attention once or twice a year depending on traffic and use, which requires a committed schedule in higher-traffic environments.
Stains
Stains are used primarily to alter or enhance the colour of a timber floor before a protective finish is applied. They do not provide protection on their own and are always used in combination with either an oil or a sealer.
The range of stain colours available is broad – from light, barely-there tints that simply even out natural colour variation across boards, to deep greys, blacks, and whites that change the character of the floor significantly. Fumed or reactive stains work with the natural tannins in certain timber species to produce colours through a chemical process rather than a pigment, producing a depth that pigment stains cannot replicate.
For architects and designers, stain specification is one of the most impactful decisions in a floor specification. The same timber species finished with different stains will produce entirely different results in the space. Testing on a sample of the actual floor before committing is always advisable.
Sealers
Surface sealers form a protective layer that both sits on top of the timber and, in many products, penetrates into it as well. Understanding the distinction between sealer types is important when specifying a finish.
Polyurethane wax products, such as Woodoc, which we use regularly at Atelier Desjardins, both penetrate the timber and provide a polyurethane protective layer on top. This dual action makes them particularly effective for older and heritage floors, offering the protection of a surface sealer with the penetrating benefits of a wax finish. Standard polyurethane sealers, by contrast, sit primarily on the surface of the timber and form a harder, more film-like finish.
Water-based sealers tend to be clear and neutral, preserving the natural colour of the timber. Polyurethane products add warmth and a slight amber tone that deepens over time, something worth factoring into the finish specification, particularly on lighter timber species.
Sealed floors are easier to maintain on a day-to-day basis than oiled floors and are more resistant to staining and moisture, making them well suited to high-traffic environments and spaces where spills or heavy use are a factor. The limitation is that when a surface sealer fails, the floor generally needs to be sanded back before recoating. Keeping to a regular maintenance schedule avoids this becoming a significant undertaking.
Choosing the Right Finish
The right finish depends on four things: the timber species and its characteristics, the type of floor and how it was installed, the use of the space, and the aesthetic the client or designer is working toward.
A heritage parquet floor in a residential interior is a different specification from a new solid hardwood floor in a commercial lobby. The former calls for a finish that respects the age and character of the timber, typically a penetrating polyurethane wax such as Woodoc. The latter requires durability and ease of maintenance above all else.
At Atelier Desjardins we advise on finish specification as part of every flooring project – new installation, restoration, and extension. For architects and designers working on a project that includes timber floors, we are happy to discuss the specification and provide samples before any decision is made.
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