Expert Guide: How to Finish a Hardwood Floor

Date: 28th October 2024
Categories: Barrettine, Products

Whether you're breathing new life into a vintage hardwood floor in a period property or safeguarding your investment in a contemporary home, mastering the art of finishing your hardwood floor is essential. This process not only enhances the natural beauty of the wood but also provides crucial protection against daily wear and tear, including scratches, scuffs, and spills.

At Barrettine, we’ve spent years developing our premium surface coating product for interior woodwork. If you're looking to finish a hardwood floor, our Armourflex® Hardwax Oil is the perfect finishing touch, offering beauty and protection. Ideal for use by both homeowners and trade professionals, Armourflex® is the perfect solution for interior woodwork.  

In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the steps to achieve a professional-quality finish that will make your hardwood floor a stunning focal point for years to come.

The importance of proper protection for wooden flooring

While the inherent beauty of wooden floors is undeniable, their longevity and appearance hinge on proper protection and the right finish.

Selecting an appropriate finish is not merely about aesthetics; it's a critical decision that impacts the floor's durability, maintenance requirements, and overall lifespan. The finish you choose will determine how your floor withstands foot traffic, resists stains, and maintains its lustre over time.

Hard wax oils vs varnish: which is better for a wood floor?

While both hard wax oils and varnishes can provide a protective finish for hardwood floors, hard wax oils offer several distinct advantages depending on your preference.

Unlike varnishes, which can create a hard, plastic-like film on the wood, hard wax oils penetrate deep into the wood fibres, providing a more natural and breathable finish.

This allows the wood to expand and contract with changes in humidity, preventing warping.

Hard wax oils are also easier to spot-repair and maintain than varnishes, which can be prone to chipping, peeling, and yellowing over time. 

Finish a hardwood floor with Armourflex® Hardwax Oil

Armourflex® Hardwax Oil is a premium choice for protecting and enhancing hardwood floors and other interior wood surfaces.

Its natural blend of oils and waxes delivers a durable, water-resistant, and stain-resistant finish that shields against everyday wear and tear. The microporous, breathable nature of the finish prevents moisture damage and warping, ensuring long-lasting wood floor protection.

Beyond its performance, Armourflex® prioritises safety. Certified Food & Toy Safe (when dry to EN 1186:2002 & EN71:3), it’s also accredited with Liquid & Abrasion Resistance (ISO 2812-1 & ISO 7786), ensuring your home's surfaces are safe and resilient.

The natural finish also enhances the wood's grain and colour, complementing various interior styles. With a quick drying time of just 4 hours, Armourflex® makes home improvement projects efficient and hassle-free.

Preparing your hardwood floor: the foundation of a perfect finish

The secret to a flawless hardwood floor finish lies in careful preparation.

Before applying Armourflex® Hardwax Oil, it's essential to prepare the floor properly. Begin by clearing the space of furniture and rugs, covering items that can't be moved with dust sheets. Vacuum the floor thoroughly, focusing on corners and edges where dust accumulates.

Then, prepare the floor for the Hard Wax oil by sanding the floor in the direction of the wood grain, starting with coarse-grit sandpaper and progressing to finer grits.

Vacuum again after sanding to remove dust, and wipe the entire surface with Barrettine Methylated Spirits to pick up any remaining dust particles. Ensure the room is adequately ventilated before applying any wood finish.

Expert tips for applying Armourflex® Hardwax Oil:

Before beginning, carefully read and understand the full label instructions.

Thoroughly mix the product before application to ensure consistent colour and performance, and always perform a test patch in an inconspicuous area to check colour and compatibility with your specific wood type before applying to the rest of the floor.

Using a short pile roller, good quality brush or lint-free cloth, apply the oil in thin coats, following the direction of the grain of the wood. Pay special attention to edges and corners, ensuring even coverage. Any excess should be wiped with a lint free cloth after application for best results.

In some cases, just one coat will be sufficient, but a second coat may be needed after the first has completely dried (which will take around 4 hours under average conditions).

Lightly sand between coats for optimal adhesion before applying the second coat.

 After application, clean brushes and rollers with Barrettine White Spirit and dispose of oil-soaked cloths safely. Avoid light foot traffic on the floor for at least 16 hours if possible.

Can Armourflex® Hardwax Oil be used on other surfaces?

Armourflex® Hardwax Oil is a versatile product suitable for a variety of interior wood surfaces. Beyond hardwood floors, it can be used to protect and beautify stairs, bannisters, kitchen worktops and furniture, creating a cohesive and durable finish throughout your home.

Premium interior timber protection from Barrettine

Remember, the key to a successful hardwood floor finish lies in patience, attention to detail, and the use of high-quality products. Whether you're a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a professional tradesperson, taking the time to properly finish a hardwood floor will pay dividends in beauty, durability, and ease of maintenance.

Barrettine: here to help

If you're looking to finish a hardwood floor or have any questions about the process, we're here to help. Please don't hesitate to reach out through our online contact form for personalised advice and support. Our team of experts is committed to helping you achieve the best possible results for your hardwood flooring project.

With premium products like Armourflex® Hardwax Oil at your disposal, you can transform your hardwood floor into a stunning, long-lasting feature.

Armourflex® Hardwax Oil is available from a range of suppliers, including Wickes, Next Day Paint and Oakcrafts.