Finish · oil

Hard-wax oil finishes.

Bona Craft Oil and Osmo Polyx. A natural matt look that lets the grain breathe, repairable in patches without re-sanding, walkable the same evening it's applied.

Natural oak floor finished in hard-wax oil
About this service

What we do, in detail.

Hard-wax oils sit somewhere between an old-fashioned oil and a modern lacquer. The oil soaks into the timber, the wax cures on top, and what you end up with is a surface that protects the wood without coating it in plastic. The floor still looks and feels like wood, matt, slightly textured, warm underfoot.

The other reason we use them: they repair without a full sand-back. Scratch a lacquered floor and you've got a permanent mark until the whole room is re-sanded. Scratch a hard-wax oiled floor and we can spot-treat the area with the same oil and feather it in. For family homes and high-traffic kitchens, that's a quiet but real advantage.

What's included

Every job covers

  • Bona Craft Oil 2K

    Two-component oil with hard-wearing finish, low VOC and a natural matt sheen. Our default for living spaces.

  • Osmo Polyx-Oil 3032

    German hard-wax oil, food-safe once cured, matt. The classic for parquet and traditional boards.

  • Two or three coats

    Buffed between coats for an even finish. Most floors take two coats; busy rooms get a third.

  • Repairable in patches

    Spot repairs without re-sanding the room. Big practical advantage for kitchens and hallways.

How it works

The process, step by step.

  1. 1

    Final sand to 120 grit

    Hard-wax oils need a slightly more open grain than lacquer. We finish-sand to 100–120 grit for best absorption.

  2. 2

    First coat and dwell

    Oil applied evenly and given full dwell time to penetrate the timber. Excess removed by hand.

  3. 3

    Buff and second coat

    Buffed between coats with a white pad, then a second (and sometimes third) coat to build protection.

FAQ

Common questions.

How is hard-wax oil different from a lacquer?

Lacquer sits on top of the wood as a film. Hard-wax oil soaks in and cures within the timber. Oils look more natural; lacquers are typically harder-wearing. Both are valid choices, it depends on the room.

Will it hold up in a kitchen?

Yes. Polyx and Craft Oil 2K are food-safe once cured. The advantage in a kitchen is that the inevitable scratches and spills can be spot-repaired rather than living with permanently.

How often does it need re-oiling?

High-traffic rooms benefit from a maintenance coat every 3–5 years. Bedrooms and low-traffic spaces last much longer. A maintenance coat is a quick job, no re-sanding.

Can I walk on it the same day?

Yes. Hard-wax oils cure on contact with air, so the floor is walkable the same evening, with full cure over a week.

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Ready when you are

Free survey. Quote within 48 hours.

We come out, take measurements, talk through finishes and follow up with a detailed quote. No deposit, no obligation.