Nowadays there are tons of finishes but hopefully the following explanations will
narrow your search.
Realwood floor finishes
Lacquered finishes
Probably the most popular finish as they are durable, water-resistant (to a degree)
and require minimal maintenance. Surface finishes are blends of synthetic resins.
These finishes, most often referred to as urethanes or polyurethanes, remain on
the surface of the wood and form a protective coating. They are generally available
in high-gloss, semi-gloss, satin, matt and brushed matt. Maintenance of today’s
lacquered wooden floors is easy! New technology in stains and finishes call for
regular cleaning that takes little more than sweeping and/or vacuuming, with occasional
use of a wood floor-cleaning product. Lacquered finishes form a protective coating
and are therefore suitable for bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms.
Matt lacquer
Matt Lacquer is an elegant alternative to the existing lacquered glossy wood floor
finish. This relatively new technology is designed to give a finish that is very
similar to natural oil or waxed finished wood flooring but without the maintenance.
The Matt lacquer finish underlines wood’s natural grain and beauty and is highly
resistant to scratches and is very durable whilst protecting the natural fresh colouring.
Lacquered finishes form a protective coating and are therefore suitable for bathrooms,
kitchens and utility rooms.
Brushed matt lacquer
Brushed Matt Lacquer is the most natural looking lacquered finish available. Being
brushed the lacquer emphasises the graining of the wood leaving the floor as natural
in touch as it is in appearance, which can only be compared to a traditional brushed
and oiled floor. The advantage of this is that maintenance is minimal and highly
resistant to scratches. Lacquered finishes form a protective coating and are therefore
suitable for bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms.
Natural oil
Natural oil is the oldest finishing for wooden flooring. Natural oil is the easiest
to re-apply and easiest to repair, and with proper care will survive forever. Periodically,
re-oiling must be carried out, conjuring up the memory of Grandma on her knees.
This is no longer the truth due to new products making it easier to apply. This
finish soaks into the pores of the wood and hardens to form a protective penetrating
seal. The wax gives a low-gloss satin sheen. It is generally maintained with solvent-based
(never water-based) waxes, buffing pastes or cleaning liquids specifically made
for wax-finished wood floors and an additional thin application of wax as needed.
UV oil
UV oil is a unique way of emphasising the rich colours of natural wood. Easily repaired
the UV oil finish protects the wood from natural sunlight and is generally a more
forgiving finish to scratches and scuffs than the lacquered finishes. Maintenance
is an important part of this finish ensuring that your floor looks and feels its
best for its life by periodically reapplying suitable maintenance oil. After many
years you may even wish to sand down the finish and re-oil or even stain the product.
Hand distressed
Hand-distressed or Hand-scraped wood flooring offers a unique look and antiqued
appearance that appeals to many homeowners. Hand scraping, which is labour-intensive
and time-consuming, is the most-common distressing technique. The end result will
be a new floor that looks beautifully antiqued. Hand-scraped hardwood flooring is
offered in both solid and engineered construction depending on the manufacturer.
Brushed
Brushing the surface highlights the natural structure of the grain creating additional
texture. The effect varies depending on the species. Brushing is usually accompanied
by other surface treatments such as beveling edges or colour stains.