Finishes play an important role when it comes to preserving the durability and beauty of your wooden floor. It is key to have your reclaimed wood floors finished as it provides a layer of protection from dirt, moisture, and wear. It also gives your reclaimed wooden flooring a nice sheen and helps accentuate the natural beauty of the wood, while some even add a touch of color to reclaimed wood floors.
These days there is a great variety of flooring finishes available, but it can be difficult to know which one is right for your reclaimed wood flooring. Here is an explanation of a few different types of finishes as you consider which one will suit you and your reclaimed wood flooring best.
Types of Wood Floor Finishes
Wax or Paste Wax
There are several advantages to using a wax finish, one of the oldest types of floor finishes, on your reclaimed wood floors. First of all, modern wax has been created to be more environmentally friendly as well as long-lasting. It is also affordable, easy to apply, dries fast and easy to repair.
With all advantages come a few disadvantages. Wax finishes can be stained by water (so you must get rid of the water as quickly as possible). More maintenance, as far as an occasional buffering and reapplication, is required with wax finishes.
If you want to add the antique, old-school charm for your reclaimed wooden flooring, wax is a great finish option to use.
Oil
A very popular finish for wood floors is oil. It has been used for ages for both virgin and reclaimed wood flooring. What makes this type of floor finish eco-friendly is that it is plant-based. A common way to apply this finish is to rub a steel brush in the direction of the wood grain to open up the surface of the wood as well as remove splinters, then add the oil to the wood (this is known as the brush-and-oil process).
You should note that though new oil finishes are long lasting and easy to touch up, oil finished floors are still susceptible to wear and tear as well as staining. So, for using oil finishing for your reclaimed flooring, you will probably also need to use a paste or liquid wax to maintain the finish later on.
With non-sealed finishes (oil, wax, shellacking, and varnish), the best way to clean reclaimed wood floors is to sweep and gently vacuum. Avoid water-based cleaners, which can leave stains, as well as acrylic and one-step furniture waxes. If you notice your reclaimed flooring is starting to feel too waxy, it may be time to apply a fresh layer of finish.
Urethane-Based Finishes
Surface sealants, such as urethane, are extremely durable and are also stain- and water-resistant. They are used to finish floors in high traffic areas, such as school gymnasiums. The only upkeep needed for surface-sealed reclaimed wood flooring is a dusting and mopping every now and then.
There are several forms of urethane floor finishes available:
- Oil-based urethane: This finish dries slowly and highlights the undertones and beautiful amber glow in reclaimed wood flooring. This is a petroleum product though, so if you are against using a finish based on fossil fuels for your reclaimed wood floors, this is not a good option for you.
- Water-based urethane: This finish has grown popular as it contains all the positive elements of oil-based urethane, but it much more environmentally friendly. The one downside is that these tend to be a bit more costly than oil-based urethane.
- Moisture-cured urethane: A very resilient and moisture resistant finish. You may want to have a professional apply it though, as it is very difficult to do so.
Swedish Finishes, AKA Conversion Varnish Sealers or Acid Cure Urethane
A popular choice in Europe, Swedish finishes are alcohol based. Similar to urethane seals, this kind of finish does not require much care, just the occasional mopping.
A very important negative component of a Swedish finish is that it is extremely toxic. If you want this type of finish applied on your reclaimed wood floors, it would be best to call a professional. They may even ask you to vacate the establishment for a couple of days, which shows you how toxic this finish is. If you are trying to avoid using harmful chemicals, this is probably not the option for you. Another downside to Swedish floor finishes is that they are known to be smelly, and the odor can stay around for a few weeks.
Hopefully this guide to floor finishes can help you choose what type of finish suits you and will best protect your reclaimed wood flooring.
These days there is a great variety of flooring finishes available, but it can be difficult to know which one is right for your reclaimed wood flooring. Here is an explanation of a few different types of finishes as you consider which one will suit you and your reclaimed wood flooring best.
Types of Wood Floor Finishes
Wax or Paste Wax
There are several advantages to using a wax finish, one of the oldest types of floor finishes, on your reclaimed wood floors. First of all, modern wax has been created to be more environmentally friendly as well as long-lasting. It is also affordable, easy to apply, dries fast and easy to repair.
With all advantages come a few disadvantages. Wax finishes can be stained by water (so you must get rid of the water as quickly as possible). More maintenance, as far as an occasional buffering and reapplication, is required with wax finishes.
If you want to add the antique, old-school charm for your reclaimed wooden flooring, wax is a great finish option to use.
Oil
A very popular finish for wood floors is oil. It has been used for ages for both virgin and reclaimed wood flooring. What makes this type of floor finish eco-friendly is that it is plant-based. A common way to apply this finish is to rub a steel brush in the direction of the wood grain to open up the surface of the wood as well as remove splinters, then add the oil to the wood (this is known as the brush-and-oil process).
You should note that though new oil finishes are long lasting and easy to touch up, oil finished floors are still susceptible to wear and tear as well as staining. So, for using oil finishing for your reclaimed flooring, you will probably also need to use a paste or liquid wax to maintain the finish later on.
With non-sealed finishes (oil, wax, shellacking, and varnish), the best way to clean reclaimed wood floors is to sweep and gently vacuum. Avoid water-based cleaners, which can leave stains, as well as acrylic and one-step furniture waxes. If you notice your reclaimed flooring is starting to feel too waxy, it may be time to apply a fresh layer of finish.
Urethane-Based Finishes
Surface sealants, such as urethane, are extremely durable and are also stain- and water-resistant. They are used to finish floors in high traffic areas, such as school gymnasiums. The only upkeep needed for surface-sealed reclaimed wood flooring is a dusting and mopping every now and then.
There are several forms of urethane floor finishes available:
- Oil-based urethane: This finish dries slowly and highlights the undertones and beautiful amber glow in reclaimed wood flooring. This is a petroleum product though, so if you are against using a finish based on fossil fuels for your reclaimed wood floors, this is not a good option for you.
- Water-based urethane: This finish has grown popular as it contains all the positive elements of oil-based urethane, but it much more environmentally friendly. The one downside is that these tend to be a bit more costly than oil-based urethane.
- Moisture-cured urethane: A very resilient and moisture resistant finish. You may want to have a professional apply it though, as it is very difficult to do so.
Swedish Finishes, AKA Conversion Varnish Sealers or Acid Cure Urethane
A popular choice in Europe, Swedish finishes are alcohol based. Similar to urethane seals, this kind of finish does not require much care, just the occasional mopping.
A very important negative component of a Swedish finish is that it is extremely toxic. If you want this type of finish applied on your reclaimed wood floors, it would be best to call a professional. They may even ask you to vacate the establishment for a couple of days, which shows you how toxic this finish is. If you are trying to avoid using harmful chemicals, this is probably not the option for you. Another downside to Swedish floor finishes is that they are known to be smelly, and the odor can stay around for a few weeks.
Hopefully this guide to floor finishes can help you choose what type of finish suits you and will best protect your reclaimed wood flooring.
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