We finish most of our floors in one of two ways: oil or polyurethane. They behave differently, and will require different kinds of attention and maintenance from you over the life of your floor. Here are some factors to consider.

How They Work and How They Look

• An oil finish protects the wood by penetrating the surface and becoming part of the wood itself.  This process creates a very natural, low sheen appearance and continues to become even more beautiful over time.    

• A polyurethane finish is applied to the surface of the wood, but doesn’t penetrate it.  This finish protects the wood from liquids and scratches.  Our urethane finishes are water based, environmentally friendly and create a beautiful and lasting finish.    

Maintenance Considerations

• Oil finished floors will need maintenance oil applied every 3-5 years, particularly in high traffic areas.  They can be easily spot-treated and re-oiled to repair any scratches or damage.  We recommend engaging a wood floor professional for maintenance and repairs.  To clean an oil finished floor, please see our maintenance document (here). 

• Polyurethane finished floors are sealed, and this layer protects the wood very well from ordinary traffic. Because urethane finishes generally cannot be touched up or patched, serious damage to even a small area might require the replacement of a board, or the refinishing of an entire floor.  A urethane finish generally requires sanding and refinishing every 10-12 years. But for floors that have sustained only light wear and tear, a Buff and Recoat is a less disruptive option. In this process, floors are gently abraded and coated with a new layer of polyurethane, which preserves their color and texture.  We recommend engaging a wood floor professional for maintenance and repairs.  To clean a polyurethane finished floor, please see our maintenance instructions here.

Which Finish is Right for Your Floors?

• Consider how much foot traffic an area is likely to see, and what kind of damage might occur from pets, kids, and daily household activities. 

• Think about how often you want to treat your floors, both in the short-term and the long-term. Oil-finished floors require more frequent maintenance, but if they’re well-maintained, they won’t require sanding. But a neglected oil floor is vulnerable to damage, and will require sanding and refinishing.

• Urethaned floors stand up longer to regular wear and tear, but serious damage might require a more complex and costly repair.