Floor Oil for Wooden Floors
Wood floor oil is used to protect and enhance suitable wooden flooring while retaining the natural appearance and character of the timber. Our range includes clear, tinted and specialist floor oils and hard wax oils for solid wood, engineered wood and parquet flooring.
Choose from products including Osmo Polyx Oil, Fiddes Hard Wax Oil, Liberon Floor Oil and Rustins Floor Oil, with different finishes available for new floors, colour changes and ongoing maintenance.
Wood Floor Oil for Solid and Engineered Flooring
Floor oil can be used on many types of suitable wooden flooring, including solid wood, engineered wood and parquet. However, the existing finish and construction of the floor should always be considered before applying a new product.
Some engineered floors are supplied pre-finished, so check the flooring manufacturer’s recommendations before applying oil. Where a floor has already been oiled, using a compatible maintenance or finishing product is generally preferable to applying an unrelated finish.
How Should I Prepare a Wooden Floor Before Applying Oil?
Good preparation is essential when applying floor oil. For many products, bare timber should be sanded evenly in the direction of the grain, with the final sanding carried out using the grade recommended by the manufacturer.
Remove all sanding dust before applying the oil and make sure the surface is clean, dry and free from contamination. Existing finishes may need to be removed before applying a new oil.
Can I Change the Colour of My Wooden Floor?
Yes. There are a range of coloured floor oils and tinted hard wax oils for changing or enhancing the colour of wooden flooring.
Osmo Polyx Oil Tints,
Osmo Oil Stain and
Fiddes Hard Wax Oil Tints provide different options depending on the timber and finish required.
Always test a coloured finish on a small, inconspicuous area or spare piece of the same timber before treating the whole floor. The final colour can vary according to the type and condition of the wood.
Can Floor Oil Be Used on Engineered Wood?
Many engineered wood floors can be finished or maintained with oil, but it is important to establish what finish has already been applied. Some engineered flooring is supplied pre-finished, so check the flooring manufacturer’s recommendations before applying another product.
If the floor has already been oiled, choose a compatible oil or maintenance product rather than automatically applying a different finish.
Floor Oil for Parquet Flooring
Floor oil for parquet flooring can be suitable where the product is recommended for the particular timber and existing finish. Parquet floors may be made from different types of wood and can have been treated with a variety of finishes over their lifetime.
For older parquet flooring, establish what finish is already present and follow the manufacturer’s preparation and application instructions before applying a new oil.
Floor Oil for Hardwoods
Some dense or naturally oily hardwoods can behave differently from more absorbent timber when an oil finish is applied. Species such as Jatoba and Merbau may require particular preparation or a product recommended for the characteristics of the wood.
Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations for your particular timber before applying floor oil, particularly when working with dense or exotic hardwoods.
Clear and Tinted Floor Oils
Clear floor oils can help retain the natural appearance of suitable timber, while tinted oils and hard wax oils can change or enhance the colour of the floor.
Osmo and Fiddes offer a range of clear and coloured floor finishes. When using a tinted product, always test the colour first because the final result will depend on the species, condition and preparation of the timber.
When Can You Walk on a Newly Oiled Floor?
The time required before a floor can be walked on varies between products and conditions. Some floor oils may allow light foot traffic once the final coat is sufficiently dry, while the finish can take considerably longer to fully cure.
Always follow the manufacturer’s stated drying and curing times rather than relying on a general timeframe. Avoid placing rugs or covering the floor until the product has reached the required stage of curing.
How Should I Maintain an Oiled Wooden Floor?
Regular maintenance helps keep an oiled wooden floor looking its best. Remove loose dirt and grit regularly using a vacuum or soft broom, as grit can contribute to surface wear.
Deal with spills promptly and use a cleaning product recommended for the particular floor finish. Products such as
Osmo Wash and Care are available for maintaining suitable oiled wooden floors.
Minor areas of wear may sometimes be maintained without completely refinishing the floor, but the appropriate method depends on the original oil, the existing finish and the condition of the surface.
Choosing the Right Floor Oil
The right floor oil depends on the type of timber, whether the floor is new or previously finished, the colour and sheen required and the level of everyday use.
Choose from clear floor oils, tinted oils, hard wax oils, anti-slip finishes and maintenance products. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions for surface preparation, application, drying and ongoing care before starting your project.
