Choosing the right flooring is only half of the decision. The finish applied to it affects how it looks, how it performs, and how much maintenance it needs over time. Whether you are browsing laminate, LVT, engineered wood, or solid wood flooring, this guide breaks down every flooring finish so you can make a confident, informed choice.

What is a flooring finish?

A flooring finish is the protective or decorative coating applied to the surface of a floor. On hard floors like engineered and solid wood, the finish is usually a treatment such as oil, lacquer, or wax that seals and protects the timber. On manufactured floors like laminate and LVT, the finish refers to the texture of the wear layer, which determines how the surface looks and feels underfoot. In both cases, the finish has a direct impact on durability, appearance, and the level of upkeep the floor requires.

Why does a floor’s finish matter?

A floor’s finish determines far more than aesthetics. A high-gloss laminate flooring finish will show footprints and fine scratches more readily than a matt or textured alternative. An oiled wood floor finish will need periodic re-oiling to maintain its protection, while a lacquered floor creates a sealed surface that is easier to wipe down day to day. Choosing a finish that does not suit your household or lifestyle can mean a floor that looks tired before its time, or one that requires more maintenance than you anticipated. Getting it right from the start saves both effort and money.

Types of LVT flooring finishes

LVT flooring is available in a range of surface textures that replicate the appearance of natural wood or stone. The finish sits within the wear layer and determines how realistic the floor looks, as well as how it feels underfoot. The main options for LVT are:

  • Registered embossed: A textured surface with fine, realistic wood grain detail pressed into the wear layer. This adds depth and authenticity to the plank's appearance while helping to conceal minor surface marks.

  • Micro bevelled: A subtle indent along the edges of each plank that mimics the look of individually laid boards. Micro bevels create a more defined, natural aesthetic without a heavily textured surface.

Types of laminate flooring finishes

Laminate flooring finishes are part of the wear layer and determine the surface texture and sheen of the floor. Choose from:

  • Embossed: A pressed texture that replicates the natural grain of wood across the surface. An embossed finish hides everyday scratches and scuffs well, making it a practical choice for busy households.

  • Registered embossed: A more detailed, in-register emboss where the texture aligns precisely with the printed wood grain beneath. This produces a highly realistic look that closely resembles real timber.

  • High gloss: A smooth, reflective surface that creates a clean, contemporary look. This type of finish shows fingerprints and fine scratches more easily, so it suits lower-traffic areas or spaces that aren’t prone to dirt.

Types of engineered wood flooring finishes

Engineered wood flooring is available in a wider range of finishes than any other flooring type, because the real timber surface layer can be treated and textured in multiple ways. The finish affects both the appearance of the wood and how you care for it. Here’s a full list of the engineered wood floor finishes we stock:

  • Lacquered: The timber surface is sealed with multiple coats of lacquer, creating a hard, protective layer. This makes it easy to clean and resistant to everyday wear. It also requires no periodic refinishing.

  • UV oiled: An oil finish cured instantly using ultraviolet light. The UV oil penetrates the wood grain for a natural look while offering a consistent, factory-applied level of protection.

  • UV lacquered: A lacquer finish also cured with UV light. This produces a durable, sealed surface with a smooth finish that is straightforward to maintain.

  • Brushed & oiled: The surface is wire-brushed to remove soft grain and then oiled. The brushing adds texture and character, and the oil enhances the natural appearance of the wood.

  • Brushed & UV oiled: The same as the above, but the oil is UV-cured for a more consistent, durable finish applied in a controlled factory environment.

  • Brushed & wax oiled: The brushed surface is treated with a wax oil blend that nourishes the wood and provides a soft, low-sheen finish. This type of finish requires periodic re-waxing to maintain protection.

  • Brushed & UV lacquered: A brushed texture combined with a UV-cured lacquer seal. Brushed and UV lacquered finishes offer the visual depth of a textured surface with the low-maintenance benefits of a lacquered finish.

  • Brushed UV oiled: A UV oil finish applied to a brushed surface, giving the floor a natural, tactile feel with a factory-quality, durable oil treatment.

  • Brushed & lacquered: Wire brushing opens the grain before a lacquer coat is applied. The result is a textured, characterful surface that is still sealed and easy to keep clean.

  • Hand-scraped: The surface is distressed by hand or machine to replicate the appearance of traditionally crafted timber. Each plank has a unique, rustic character.

  • Hard wax oiled: A blend of natural waxes and oils applied to the timber surface. The oil finish penetrates deeply to protect from within, leaving a natural, matt appearance. This usually requires re-application over time.

  • Brushed hand-scraped: Combines wire brushing with hand scraping for a heavily textured, aged appearance. This flooring finish is best suited to rustic or traditional interior styles.

  • Brushed: Wire brushing alone, with no additional surface treatment applied, creating an open-grain texture that accentuates the natural character of the wood.

  • Oiled: A traditional oil finish applied to the timber surface. The finish penetrates the wood to protect and nourish from within, producing a natural, low-sheen look that requires periodic re-oiling.

  • Invisible: A near-invisible finish that allows the natural colour and grain of the wood to show through without any obvious sheen or tint. This preserves the raw appearance of the timber.

  • Unfinished: The timber is supplied with no surface treatment applied. This type of flooring is well-suited to those who want to sand, stain, and finish the floor on-site to a completely custom specification.

  • Matt lacquered: A lacquer finish with a very low sheen level. Provides full surface protection while retaining the understated, natural look of the wood.

  • Brushed invisible: A wire-brushed surface with an invisible finish applied. The brushing adds texture, and the invisible finish keeps the look of the wood as natural as possible.

  • Smoked lacquered: The timber has been smoke-treated to darken and enrich the wood tone, then sealed with lacquer. This treatment produces a deep, distinctive colour with full surface protection.

What is the best finish for engineered wood flooring?

There is no single best finish. It depends on how the floor will be used and how much maintenance you are prepared to do. Lacquered and UV lacquered finishes are the most practical for busy households, as they are fully sealed and easy to clean. Oiled and hard wax oiled finishes offer a more natural look but require periodic re-oiling. If you want character and texture, a brushed or hand-scraped finish adds visual depth. For a truly bespoke result, unfinished boards give you complete control over the final colour and sheen.

Types of solid wood flooring finishes

Solid wood flooring can be sanded and refinished multiple times over its lifetime, which makes the choice of wood floor finish less permanent than with other flooring types. The finishes available from Floor Giants for solid wood are focused on classic, proven treatments that suit the character of real timber, including:

  • Lacquered: A seal coat applied to the surface of the timber that creates a hard, protective layer. Lacquered wood floors are easy to maintain and resistant to everyday foot traffic. They also don’t require refinishing under normal conditions.

  • Brushed & oiled: The timber surface is wire-brushed to remove soft grain, then treated with oil. The combination produces a textured, characterful floor with a natural, low-sheen finish.

  • Oiled: An oil finish that penetrates the timber rather than sitting on top of it. This enhances the natural colour and grain of the wood, and can be spot-repaired. An oiled wood finish requires periodic re-oiling to maintain protection.

What is the best wood floor finish?

For solid wood flooring, lacquer offers the most protection with the least day-to-day maintenance. Oil and brushed and oiled finishes suit those who prefer a more natural appearance and are willing to re-oil periodically. If the floor takes a lot of daily use, a lacquered finish will hold up with less effort. Whereas if you value the raw, tactile character of the wood, an oiled finish is worth the extra care it requires. Solid wood can also be sanded back and refinished later, so you can change your finish choice further down the line.

How to choose a floor finish

With so many options across the different flooring types, it helps to narrow the decision down by focusing on a few practical factors. When choosing a flooring finish, think about:

  1. Room use and foot traffic: High-traffic areas need a durable, easy-to-clean finish. Lacquered and UV lacquered wood floor finishes and embossed laminate flooring finishes are well-suited to hallways, kitchens, and living rooms.

  2. Maintenance preferences: Oiled and wax oiled wood flooring finishes require periodic re-application to stay protected. Lacquered and UV-cured finishes only need regular cleaning.

  3. Aesthetic style: Gloss finishes suit modern, minimal interiors. Brushed, oiled, hand-scraped, and smoked finishes lean towards natural, rustic, or traditional styles. Invisible and matt finishes work across a wide range of interior schemes. Consider your existing décor before choosing.

  4. Households with children or pets: Textured finishes, such as embossed or registered embossed, do a better job of hiding everyday scuffs and marks. Highly reflective finishes like high gloss will show wear more quickly in a busy home.

  5. Subfloor conditions and room environment: In rooms with higher moisture levels, a fully sealed lacquered finish offers more resistance than an open-grain oiled finish. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations for the specific product you are considering.

  6. Budget: Some finishes, particularly unfinished boards that require on-site treatment, can add cost to installation. In contrast, factory-finished floors are ready to lay and use immediately.


Once you know what finish suits your needs, the rest of the decision becomes much easier. Browse our full range of flooring types to find the right finish for your home. And if you’re not sure which to go for, we offer a free sample service that lets you test different floor finishes in your own space and lighting before you commit.