Comparing Hardwax Oil to Hardwood Floor Wax & Polyurethane

Hardwax oil is a proven and practical coating for residential and commercial use. Already well-established in Europe, this all-natural wax oil is steadily gaining traction in the United States.

Beautiful, durable, and without any fumes, hardwax oil is a finish of the future.

Polyurethane is a durable, protective coating that works like a thin coat of armor for your floor. Water-based polyurethane is also a finish of the future.

Hardwood floor wax is an outdated solvent wax that was the coating of choice in the past.

In this article, you will learn how hardwax oil compares to polyurethane and hardwood floor wax, so you can choose the best finish for your floor.  

What is Hardwax Oil?

Hardwax oil is a film-forming natural oil that consists of blends of synthetics, natural oils, and waxes that penetrate and surround the wood fibers.

They’re applied almost like waxing a car. They come available in single or 2-component formulas. A 2-component product has an isocyanate hardener that speeds up drying time and increases durability.

Single-component formulas take longer to dry and have less durability. The best formulas have two components because the hardening agent helps the coating hold up better over time.

The Benefits of Hardwax Oil 

Hardwax oil is a cost-effective and eco-friendly finish that enhances the health and look of the wood while giving you excellent overall protection. With the lowest VOC content of any other type of finish, it’s also among the safest and least toxic floor finishes on the market.

Application takes less time, labor, and materials compared to a typical polyurethane job, which requires twice the amount of labor and time. After sanding and water-popping the floor, you can buff in and out two coats and be done. And you don’t have to worry about leaving behind application marks or abrading in between coats.

The curing time varies, depending on the product and manufacturer.

Another major benefit of using a hard wax oil is convenient spot-repair maintenance. You can quickly erase any scratches and signs of wear without any problem, touching up areas of your floor as needed with ease.

This means you can reapply the finish on specific sections of your floor to make it look brand new in little time. You can move furniture aside in the evening, rebuff, recoat, and rejuvenate sections of the floor as needed, then put everything back into place by morning. Many restaurant owners choose it for this very reason.

With hardwax oils you also have many color options available. You can customize your floor’s color to achieve the perfect shade.

What is Hardwood Floor Wax?

Hardwood floor wax (wax paste) is different than hardwax oil. Floor wax is a solvent wax finish for wood floors.

In the past, wax was the floor finish par excellence. Now, it’s a weak finish with strong odors from high-VOC content that requires a rigorous commitment to maintenance.

You can find people online applying this kind of finish to their floors. But it’s best avoided at all costs.

For a similar yet more refined look without the fumes and laborious maintenance, choose a hardwax oil.

Hardwax Oil Vs Hardwood Floor Wax

As a contemporary floor finish, hardwood floor wax is no longer considered to be a practical solution for modern homes or businesses.

Maintaining paste-waxed floors involves re-waxing every few months. The only time contractors paste wax a floor is to add authenticity to an historic property or because the wood floor already has this type of coating.

Once you have applied hardwood floor wax, you’re stuck with it unless you refinish the floor.

Many contractors are unfamiliar with the art of applying paste wax because better finish systems have long since emerged.

Technological processes that liquify the wax and combine it with other materials resulted in hardwax oil, a product that gives your floor the natural look, feel, and beauty of traditional wax – without the drawbacks.

Hardwax Oil Vs Polyurethane

Hardwax oil has many advantages, but two major disadvantages when compared to polyurethane finish. Polyurethane provides a plastic coating over the wood in a variety of sheens.

With hardwax oil finish, all your protection is absorbed into the wood fibers, so you’re limited to an ultra-matte, matte, or satin sheen. If you prefer a floor that shines, then you’ll want to use a different type of finish.

A second disadvantage of hard wax oil is there’s less chemical resistance than polyurethane finish. If you spill bleach on your hard waxed/oiled floor, you will likely be left with a dark mark on the surface. Even though you can repair it, you would have been able to simply wipe it off a floor coated with poly, which has stronger chemical resistance.

However, when it comes to long-term durability, hard wax oil (with proper maintenance and care) will outlast polyurethane-coated floors. Floors coated with polyurethane show scratches, dings, and scuffs from use. The only thing you can do to eliminate these imperfections is to refinish the entire surface.

The more you use a polyurethane-coated floor, the more you’re going to see fine scratches show up in the plastic layer. With hardwax oil, there’s nothing sitting on top of the wood that can be scratched, so you’ll never be dealing with permanent fine scratches caused by sliding furniture or small rocks caught in someone’s shoes, dragged unknowingly across the surface.

The key to maintaining hardwax oiled floors is to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and use the specific products that work in conjunction with the specific finish you use.

Hardwax Oil Finish is Easy to Apply

One reason many contractors are quickly becoming fans of hard wax oil is the clean smell and quick turn around on the jobsite. Application is like waxing a car.

It’s simple enough that you can do it by hand, rubbing it in and wiping it off. But if you have a larger space or want to finish the job quickly, you’re going to need a buffing machine.

For DIY: Operating a buffer is like learning to ride a bike. The most important thing is to find the balancing point. Once you understand how the machine works, you’ll always be able to operate it effectively. A good way to practice a buffer is to rent one and try it in your garage until you feel confident enough to use it in your home.

Once you have the buffer down, you can complete the job quickly by applying the product to the floor with the buffer. 

The best way to proceed is to work in small sections because the product will dry quickly.  Work in small sections and you’ll be able to take your time.

NOTE: Sanding quality is especially important because your sanding skill determines the result. Any digs, chatter in the floor, or any other flaws will become obvious after you apply the hard wax oil. For the most beautiful appearance, make sure your floors are professionally sanded.

Recommended Hardwax Oil Finish

These popular products are proven to provide overall quality and long-term performance on hardwood floors. We recommend Rubio Oil Plus 2C  for the best results.

WOCA Diamond Oil Active

WOCA Diamond Oil Active is a durable, plant-based penetrating oil for hardwood floors. This product is fully cured on 48 hours and comes in 9 different colors.

Summary

Hardwax oils are popular for finishing floors overseas and is surging in popularity in the U.S.

These products provide beauty and great resistance with fast application and simple upkeep. When you maintain your floor properly, you may never have to refinish your floor.

The low-VOC content is also unmatched. Hardwax oils are among the most eco-friendly finishes on the market today.

Application is easy, and spot-repair maintenance means you can make your floors look brand new overnight. 

The main disadvantages of hardwax oils: limits to glossiness and less chemical resistance.

With a hard wax oil or penetrating natural oil, you can bring out the natural aesthetic of the wood and never need to refinish your floors if you stay on top of maintenance.