“I actually prefer wax for the character it brings. Sure, it’s high maintenance, but the patina over time just looks richer to me than oil ever does.”
I get the appeal of that patina—there’s something cool about a floor that tells its own story. But after redoing a 1920s bungalow last year, I gotta say, oil finishes have come a long way. The newer hardwax oils, for example, sort of bridge the gap: you get some depth and warmth, but way less upkeep than traditional wax. Plus, if you ever need to spot-repair a scratch or water ring, oil blends in so much easier. Wax is classic, but for high-traffic homes or rentals, oil’s practicality is tough to beat.
Honestly, I used to be all about that “character” too—until I had to wax a 3,000 sq ft rental between tenants. Never again.
Couldn’t agree more, especially when you’re juggling multiple properties. Still, I get the nostalgia for wax. Anyone tried mixing both, like wax over oil? Or is that just asking for a maintenance nightmare?“oil’s practicality is tough to beat.”
Tried wax over oil once in a place I flipped—looked great for about a month, then started showing every scuff and water spot. Maintenance was a pain, honestly. Oil alone is just so much easier to touch up between tenants. Wax has that old-school vibe, but for rentals or high-traffic spots, it’s just not worth the hassle in my experience. Maybe it works better if you’re living there and can baby the floors, but with multiple turnovers... nah.
I get what you’re saying about wax being a pain in rentals, but I’ve actually had the opposite experience in my own place. Used a plant-based hardwax oil (Osmo, I think?) and it held up surprisingly well, even with two dogs running around. Maybe it’s more about the type of wax or how it’s applied? The eco-friendly ones seem less prone to streaks and water marks, at least in my case. Still, for high-turnover rentals, oil alone is probably less stress overall.
Used a plant-based hardwax oil (Osmo, I think?) and it held up surprisingly well, even with two dogs running around.
Interesting you mention Osmo—I’ve tried it in my 1920s place and found it decent, but I still get nervous about water rings near the entryway. Maybe it’s just the age of the boards or the way they were finished originally. Have you noticed any issues with spot repairs? I find wax blends easier to patch up than oils, but maybe that’s just old habits talking...
