The finish is the last thing that goes onto a wood floor, and in many ways it is the most important decision you will make. It sets the look, the feel underfoot and, crucially, how the floor copes with real life, children, pets, heels and the daily traffic of a busy London home. The two finishes we are asked about most are hardwax oil and lacquer. Here is how they differ, and how to choose.
What is hardwax oil?
Hardwax oil is a blend of natural oils and waxes that soaks into the timber rather than sitting on top of it. It hardens within the surface of the wood, leaving a natural, low-sheen finish that shows off the grain beautifully. Because the oil becomes part of the wood, the floor keeps its authentic texture. You feel the timber, not a coating.
What is lacquer?
Lacquer, sometimes called varnish, forms a thin, durable film on top of the wood. It seals the surface under a protective layer, which can be matt, satin or gloss. That film is what gives lacquer its hard-wearing, easy-wipe reputation, and it is why many pre-finished floors arrive lacquered as standard.
Look and feel
This is where personal taste comes in. Hardwax oil gives a soft, matt, natural appearance with real depth. It is the choice for anyone who wants the floor to look and feel like wood. Lacquer sits slightly above the timber and can range from a barely-there matt to a bright gloss, giving a crisper, more uniform surface.
Durability and everyday wear
Both finishes are tough, but they wear differently. A lacquered surface is very resistant to spills and scuffs, but when it does wear through, typically in doorways and other pinch points, the damage shows as a visible patch, and putting it right usually means re-coating the whole floor. Hardwax oil is more forgiving of that kind of localised wear, and small scratches tend to blend in rather than stand out.
Repairs and maintenance
This is the deciding factor for many of our clients. An oiled floor can be spot-repaired: a worn patch in front of the kitchen sink can be cleaned and re-oiled by hand, blending seamlessly, without touching the rest of the room. A lacquered floor cannot be patched invisibly. When it needs attention, the whole surface is screened and re-coated. For high-traffic areas, the ability to maintain an oiled floor area by area is a real advantage.
Day to day, both are easy to live with. Oiled floors like an occasional maintenance oil or soap; lacquered floors just need sweeping and a barely-damp mop. You will find our full routine in how to care for your hardwood floor.
So which should you choose?
- Choose hardwax oil if you want the most natural look and feel, and you value being able to repair and refresh high-wear areas without redoing the whole floor. It is our preference for most bespoke and period-home projects.
- Choose lacquer if you want a very low-maintenance, wipe-clean surface, a more uniform appearance or a higher sheen, and you are happy to re-coat the whole floor when the time comes.
In truth there is no single right answer. It depends on your rooms, your household and the look you are after. Whichever you choose, we apply finishes by hand on site for the best possible result. You can see finishes across our hardwood collection and on our bespoke floors, or we can bring samples to your home. Book a free consultation and we will help you choose the right finish for the way you live.