Treating Wood Floors With Linseed Oil

Linseed oil a natural solution for wood finishing.

Treating wood floors with linseed oil.

Despite the claims of linseed oil manufacturers and salesmen there is a commercial wood preservative that exceeds linseed oil s performance for almost every application. Linseed oil soaks into the grain creating a moisture resistant barrier that will not crack over time like paint will thus preventing moisture from getting underneath the product and causing decay of the wood. Linseed oil is less than half the price of a commercial preservative. Also known as a penetrating oil this finish helps to prevent future scrapes and potential water damage.

Linseed oil is a penetrating finish on hardwood floors that does not form a sealant on the wood like polyurethane but instead acts as a stain that enhances the look of your floors. By not coating the wood or giving it a shiny appearance linseed oil presents the wood in a natural way while still giving it the darkened appearance of staining. Perhaps the only reason to consider using linseed oil as a preservative is the price. Linseed oil revitalizes old dried wood and gives it a new life and is a common item in a lot of woodworker s shops.

Boiled linseed oil as a finish. When linseed oil is applied to a floor the floor first is sanded and the dust cleaned away. Not just a pre treatment boiled linseed oil works great as a wood finish itself. The linseed oil then is warmed to help it penetrate more deeply into the wood.

Boiled linseed oil is a popular substance used to coat and protect a variety of different wooden surfaces such as hardwood floors or pieces of furniture. Boiled linseed oil should take 24 72 hours to dry. It won t give you a super hard and durable finish like polyurethane or varnish but with enough coats boiled linseed oil will eventually build up a beautiful and protective finish. If it s still tacky you can dry it faster with a fan and wait longer.

Linseed oil is most often used indoors either on paneling moldings beams furniture and even on floors which in this last case requires maintenance twice a year given the high stress of the. Make sure you leave it to dry in the shade not the sun.