Oiling floors

Oiling wooden floors is a surface protection process that is often seen as an alternative to varnishing. The oil penetrates the wood, so no additional layer is formed on the surface as with varnish. Oiled floors feel more natural to the touch, wood scratches are less visible on them or may heal over time (by oil seeping in), and more significant damage to individual planks can be locally repaired without the need to sand the entire floor again. Unfortunately, oiling floors has its drawbacks as well. Primarily, oiled floors tend to get dirtier more easily and quickly compared to varnished floors, requiring more attention to proper maintenance.

Before oiling, it is important to properly prepare the wooden floor. A newly laid floor should be thoroughly sanded and patched before oiling. If needed, it should also be polished. With an older floor, the process is similar, but the condition of the planks should be checked, and repairs should be made where necessary. A special oil-wax is then applied to the prepared floor, the type of which should be chosen based on the wood species (e.g., for oily woods, it is recommended to use thin oils that will penetrate the planks deeply), as well as the room's purpose and the desired visual effect.