Hardwax oil’s definitely a different beast compared to poly. I’ve used it in a few flips, including my own kitchen, and honestly, it’s held up better than I expected. With kids and a dog, you’ll see some wear in the high-traffic spots, but the upside is you can spot-repair without sanding the whole floor. Usually, I just buff in a little more oil every 8-12 months in the busy areas—sometimes sooner if there’s a big spill or scratch, but it’s not constant maintenance.
Spills wipe up fine as long as you don’t let them sit forever. Dropped pans might leave a dent, but that’s true for any wood finish. The main thing is, hardwax oil doesn’t chip like poly, so you avoid those ugly flakes. It’s more forgiving overall, but yeah, it does need a bit of attention now and then.
Curious—has anyone tried one of those newer hybrid finishes that claim to combine the best of both worlds? I’ve seen some buzz about them but haven’t tested them out yet...