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Who has an oil which can be finished in one coat?
ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS DIVERSE CRITERIA DETERMINE WHAT YOU USE, WHERE, AND WHEN
Photo – Bona
Oiled parquet floors continue to be all the rage and there are several reasons for that. The question is what is possible with oil which can finish and protect in one coat. For instance, is it just as good as a finish in varnish? The answer to that is simple: It’s best not to compare them, but weigh up their various features before you make a well founded choice.
Oil has the advantage here of highlighting the look of the wood fibre, so the floor looks natural almost automatically. We should also point out that parquet oil is almost perfectly compatible with most decorative aspects. Think here, for instance, of distressing agents, stains, reagents, patina's, etc. Also worthy of note are recent technical developments by various producers of ‘oil + glazer’ systems, which combine decoration and simple maintenance.
No one should be surprised that oil is so popular. This product simply has a vast array of plus points. First of all, there are the numerous decorative options, particularly in combination with a preliminary stain. Then, there’s the vast creativity of the producers who offer scores of colours and shades to take account of the latest trends. For instance, we’re seeing the emergence of opaque shades to create clear colour effects which respect the nature of the wood.
Don’t compare oil with varnish
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In the introduction we said that it’s best not to compare oil with varnish. Obviously, that statement needs more clarification. With varnish, always remember that it covers and ‘seals’ the wood, so it provides a protective and decorative film. As long as this film stays in place, the floor is protected, decorated, and easy to maintain. By contrast, oil impregnates the wood and covers the wood fibres to protect them
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