Wood Finishes: Oil vs Lacquer

Wood Finishes: Oil vs Lacquer

Choosing the appropriate finish for your hardwood flooring is not only essential to enhancing the natural beauty of the wood, but to ensure that the floors remain protected from the wear and tear of everyday living. It is important to distinguish the difference between wood stain and wood finish.  Wood stain simply refers to a colour element, typically liquid, that is applied to the wood that dyes the wood .  It contains absolutely no protective barrier for your wood flooring. Wood finish, on the other hand, protects the floor from damage by providing a “shield” on the top layer. Now that we know the difference between staining and finishing, which finish is the best for your application? Historically, urethane finishes have been tremendously popular due to their extreme durability.  Whether site finished or shop applied (prefinished), urethane finishes are the most damage resistant. However, this durability comes with several noteworthy drawbacks.  Firstly, they are difficult to re coat because the finish is so...
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Solid-Engineered-Laminate

Solid-Engineered-Laminate

 How do you choose a wood floor?The style choice is bewildering; take your pick from ash, bamboo, beech, cherry, iroko, maple, merbau, oak, walnut and many others. The next choice is between laminate, engineered and solid wood. Beware cheap laminates; they are to this decade what swirly carpets were to the 1970s - a design disaster that will reduce the value of your home and will be instantly ripped out by new owners. Laminate vs engineered vs solid: A laminate is a piece of plastic with a photographic image of wood grain, mounted on MDF. They cost as little as £5 a square metre and although scratch-resistant, once damaged are non-repairable. Engineered flooring has a veneer of real wood, usually 3-7mm thick, that can be sanded up to five times. It is particularly suitable for use over concrete floors and in kitchens. Solid wood is one piece of wood from top to bottom. As it needs to be nailed to a permanent floor,...
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