Floor Boards - Treatment

[skier-hughes]

I'm getting excited as I'm shortly going to be putting down the floor boards!!!!!!

Now, the beams in the house are being treated with linseed oil.

I've got to do some back reading to decide on what I use to treat the uppper of the floor boards, but wondered, if I decided to use another product on the upper, would it be problematical if I used linseed oil on the lower?

The upper surface would be walked on obviously, but the lower surface is the ceiling in the kitchen, so is seen. I thought I'd treat well, before putting them down so that all the wood is treated rather than just that shown.

I like the look of linseed treated Oak, so would I have a problem if I just used that on my upper surface?

Graham

 

[Penners]

I can't see that you'd have a problem with that, Graham. If you used a modern lacquer on the upper surface, it's possible that it might exert more tension on the surface than the oil would on the underside, but provided the boards are nailed or screwed down reasonably close to each edge, I don't believe cupping would be a problem.

Bearing in mind that you'll be treating the underside of the boards before laying them, and as you don't yet know what finish you will use on the upper surface, I think the only thing you need to be a bit careful about is preventing the oil from dribbling down the edges and perhaps getting on to the upper surfaces in random patches. This just might cause some problems when you come to apply the upper surface finish.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Graham,

Why not linseed the tops of the boards too? A couple of coats should be durable, shouldn't it?

I'm in a similar dilemma with what to treat the new oak staircase with. Would be really interested to hear views from you/others.

Robin

 

[Penners]

For heavy traffic areas of floorboards, there are finishes that would be more durable than linseed oil. But IMO modern lacquers are best avoided. The problem with them is that, while they may last longer than oil, they're a b*gger when they do start to show wear. With oil, you can just slosh on another coat, let it dry and you're back to a nice finish. But worn lacquer can be very difficult to restore to a pristine look without stripping the whole lot and starting again.

I can't vouch for it myself, but a number of people on this forum have spoken well of Osmo floor oil (http://www.agwoodcare.co.uk/index.p...olyx_oil&sid=s1125iy402v629283x0rbogvl10eo1hi).

 

[Feltwell]

I agree with Penners. The previous owner of my house did a lot of floorboards with a modern varnish, and now it's looking worn near the doorways all I can do is to sand the entire floor down and start again, whereas with an oil I could patch repair.

I'm going to try it and see how long the oil lasts, which will be the deciding factor as it's mostly downstairs rooms for me.

 

[skier-hughes]

Bearing in mind that you'll be treating the underside of the boards before laying them, and as you don't yet know what finish you will use on the upper surface, I think the only thing you need to be a bit careful about is preventing the oil from dribbling down the edges and perhaps getting on to the upper surfaces in random patches. This just might cause some problems when you come to apply the upper surface finish.

This was my biggest worry, I've been used to sloshing it around, whereas it'd be painting it on like doing the windows and could take an awful long time.

I may well go for Linseed all over and see if I can get any on the boards while I'm at it

The Osmo was my other option. I don't fancy any lacquers/varnishes.

Graham

 

[Andrew Bodenham]

I've had good results with Osmo PolyX wax/oil. Very forgiving and easy to apply, looks nice, very durable, easy to recoat / patch up. My finish of choice for anything that's going to get a bit of wear.

For a less heavy-duty finish I like Osmo Woodwax (the yellow can) which you put on very thinly (amazing coverage so works out cheap) and builds up to a nice waxy finish which can be buffed to a sheen if liked, or flatted off with scotchbrite. I use this all the time now on my furniture commissions.

Osmo woodfiller is excellent too, if you can find it - a really nice water-based alternative to Brummer and similar stopping compounds.

No connection with Osmo, other than as a very satisfied user.

 

[ljn]

I'm also a big fan of Osmo Polyx.

 

[plumbers mate]

I think my son has something by them on his iPod.

 

[Penners]

Don't worry, it'll wipe off.

 

[skier-hughes]

Well the linseed oil has been going on today, pictures to follow!!