That sounds about right to me. I tried the hardwax oil route on my last place, and it looked great for about six months—then the entryway started looking patchy, and I was constantly fussing over it. Poly isn’t as “pretty” up close, but with two kids and a tight budget, I needed something that could take a beating without me having to redo it every year. For high-traffic zones, your logic checks out—sometimes practicality just wins over aesthetics.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I actually went down the hardwax oil path too—looked stunning at first, but my hallway turned into a patchy mess within a year. With two dogs and a toddler, I just couldn’t keep up. Poly might not have that “wow” factor up close, but honestly, it’s saved me so much time and stress. Sometimes you just need something that can handle real life, not just look good in photos.
I hear you on the poly—definitely more forgiving with kids and pets. I’ve always wondered, though, how does the long-term cost of touch-ups or recoating compare between poly and hardwax oil? I mean, is poly really cheaper down the line, or does it just feel that way upfront?
WOOD WAX VS. OIL FINISH FOR HARDWOOD UPKEEP
That’s something I’ve been mulling over too, especially since our place is pushing 120 years and the floors have seen every finish under the sun. Poly does seem like the “set it and forget it” option, but I’m not convinced it’s always cheaper in the long run. The upfront cost is usually lower, sure, but when poly starts to look rough, you’re often looking at a full sand and refinish job. That’s a big project—dust everywhere, moving furniture, and usually hiring someone unless you’re really ambitious.
With hardwax oil, I’ve found it’s more of a maintenance mindset. You’ll be doing little touch-ups here and there—maybe a spot treatment if someone drags a chair or the dog skids out chasing a ball. But those touch-ups are quick and don’t require sanding the whole floor. The products aren’t exactly cheap, but you use so little at a time that a can lasts ages. I guess it comes down to whether you’d rather do small, regular upkeep or save it all up for one big (and expensive) overhaul every decade or so.
One thing I’ve noticed: poly hides wear for longer, but when it finally gives out, it’s pretty obvious—peeling, scratches that go white, etc. Hardwax oil just kind of ages gracefully. You see the scuffs, but they blend in more, and you can buff them out or re-oil as needed. I’m not sure which is truly cheaper over 20 years, but I do think poly’s “cheaper” reputation is mostly about that initial install cost.
Curious if anyone’s actually tracked their costs over time? I keep meaning to jot down what I spend on oil and pads each year, but life gets in the way...
I’ve actually switched back and forth between poly and hardwax oil in two different places, and honestly, I kind of regret putting poly on the floors in our old house. Looked fantastic for a few years, but once the dog and kids did their thing, it was all downhill. When I finally bit the bullet and went with hardwax oil in our new place, it was a game changer. I do have to touch up high-traffic spots every now and then, but it’s way less stressful than staring at a giant scratch in poly and knowing I can’t just “fix” it. Cost-wise, I think I’ve spent maybe $60 a year on oil and pads, but I haven’t had to move all my furniture out or rent a sander, so that’s a win in my book.
