Hardwood Flooring

Walk the Plank has a large selection of hardwood flooring, including natural oil and hard-wax oiled wood floors.

These are the only wood floors we highly recommend.

Why?

A European Tradition – Benefits of Hard Wax Oil Floors

It’s been a long standing European tradition to use natural oils and waxes to nourish and protect hardwood floors. Hard wax oil is made from all natural ingredients including linseed oil, tung oil, sunflower oil, jojoba oil, beeswax, carnauba wax, candelilla wax, resins, and colloidal clay. By combining the wood preserving qualities of the natural oils and the moisture repelling qualities of the waxes, hard- wax oil offers a high level of protection and durability.

Penetrates Deep into the Wood Fibers

Hard-wax oil penetrates deep into the wood fibers to protect from within while the wax remains on the surface creating a beautiful matte finish and protective layer while the ultimate color of the floor flourishes.

Water Repellent and Stain-Resistant

With hard-wax oil, the surface becomes water repellant and stain-resistant against liquids such as water, wine, soda and coffee.

Easy Repairs and Minimal Maintenance

Repairs are simple and minimal maintenance is required with a natural hard-wax oil floor. Spots and scratches can be minimized and often eliminated with buffing and a small application of hard-wax oil while weekly cleaning with an oil soap and a yearly application of a hard-wax oil to moisturize and condition the floor. Typically, an oiled floor can be maintained and renewed by the homeowner without the need for a professional service. There is no expensive equipment required. With proper care, a hard-wax oil floor will never need to be professionally sanded or coated.

In comparison, polyurethane and lacquer finishes commonly used today, create a thick film that lays on the surface of the wood. Repairs can be difficult because these finishes don’t bond chemically to previous layers and grip only where the surface has been thoroughly abraded. These floors typically need to be completely sanded down and re-finished

Integrates with the Wood

Hard-wax oil integrates with the wood allowing it to breathe. In contrast polyurethane or lacquer finishes are film-building coatings that don’t integrate with the wood resulting in a closed film that protects the surface, but doesn’t allow for the natural shifting of wood. Seasonal expansion and contraction in the wood allows small cracks to develop in the urethane coating enabling moisture to penetrate. This is why standing water will penetrate a coated floor much faster than a hard-wax oiled floor.

Long Lasting

Re-sanding is rarely needed on a hard-wax oil floor. With proper maintenance and cleaning, a hard-wax oil floor will last a lifetime and will maintain its genuine natural beauty. It will even enhance with time as the patina enriches itself with ongoing applications of maintenance oil. In contrast, polyurethane and lacquer finish floors need to be re-coated or re-sanded to maintain their original look.

Environmentally Friendly

Hard-wax oil has the most environmentally friendly benefits as a wood finish and contributes to a healthy living environment because it’s produced from natural ingredients.

Interesting Fact

The floors at Copenhagen Airport are finished with hard-wax oil and have never had to be refinished or replaced since they were installed in the 1960’s. The floors are walked on by over 18-million people a year.

“In Europe, every floor installed in public spaces, such as city halls and museums, are oiled floors and are well-maintained floors that were installed thirty to fifty years ago. A lacquered floor will never last this long. A well maintained oiled floor looks better and better with time while a lacquered floor can only decline with age”. Anthony’s Goddijin, DuChateau Master Craftsman

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