Hardwood Floors April/May 2017

S P O N S O R E D C O N T E N T

By Josh Neuberger

THE LOWDOWN ON USING NATURAL PENETRATING OIL FINISHES

Private residence - Park City, Utah. Magic Oil 2K White.

toward using a natural penetrating oil finish. The first is the look, which includes both color and the feel of the finish when it is dry. Natural penetrating oil finishes tend to produce a velvety warm feel with a matte appearance. This is especially popular in wide-plank installations, and many designers are pushing low-sheen appearances for wood flooring. Contractors have also mentioned the two-tone color combinations — when one color is applied and allowed to fully cure, then a second color is applied over the top — are another reason they choose a natural penetrating oil. This process mimics what homeowners find in many prefinished wood flooring lines. If the exact color a homeowner is looking for cannot be achieved using only a natural penetrating oil, some natural penetrating oil finishes can be applied over a dried solvent-based or water- based stain to achieve the desired color tone. A second attribute contractors find helpful in this finish category is the repairability of the product after installation. Due to the diffusive nature of natural penetrating oils, repairs that would be complete screen and recoats with a surface finish can now be simple repairs involving board replacement and buffing of the affected area to blend back into the floor. This process saves money, countless man-hours moving furniture, and screening and coating a floor.

There has been a lot of buzz in the hardwood flooring industry lately regarding natural penetrating oil finishes. Their popularity has increased due to new color schemes by prefinished flooring manufacturers, as well as the low-sheen or matte look desired by many homeowners. Here are some key things to know about natural penetrating oil finishes that can help guide you through your first project. KEY ATTRIBUTES Natural penetrating oil finishes differ from traditional surface- build finishes in that they gain their strength by penetrating into the fibers of a wood floor and strengthening them, as opposed to gaining strength by sitting on top of the wood floor through the application of multiple layers. A natural penetrating oil finish hardens and protects the floor from spills, traffic and general living on the floor when fully cured. Similar to traditional surface finishes, in the natural penetrating oil finish category, there are single-component and two-component finishes. There are three key attributes that tend to guide contractors

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