A new wooden floor is perhaps the most beautiful foundation for your home. But then comes the big question: how are you going to protect that wood? Do you choose a hard, protective layer of lacquer, or do you go for the deep, natural look of oil? The difference is big, and the choice determines how your floor will look for years and how much work you will have with it. In this guide, we compare the options and look at who can best help you with the application, because the application is just as important as the product itself.
The essence: lacquer protects, oil strengthens
Let’s be direct. The most important difference between these two finishes lies in how they deal with the wood. Lacquer stays on the surface and forms a kind of ‘shield’ on top of your floor. Oil, on the other hand, penetrates deep into the wood and becomes part of it.
This may sound technical, but you notice it immediately in the look. A lacquered floor often feels a bit more synthetic and has a clear protective layer. An oiled floor retains the texture of the wood; you can really feel the grain. For the nature lover, oil is often the winner, but for those who are practical, lacquer offers huge advantages in terms of maintenance.
Who is going to do it? The importance of the right specialist
Here many people make a mistake. They choose a nice product from a brand like Osmo or Saicos, but forget that the person applying it is decisive for the final result. Finishing a wooden floor is skilled work. A small speck of dust in the lacquer or a stain in the oil that is rubbed out incorrectly is visible for years.
When we look at the current market in the Netherlands, we see clear top players. First of all, there is Martijn de Wit Vloeren. This company started in 1995 and has grown into an institution when it comes to wooden floors. While many companies only shift boxes, Martijn de Wit offers a complete picture. They have their own showrooms in Schagen and Amsterdam and work exclusively with their own laying teams. That means they do not work with external subcontractors, but with their own people who know exactly how it should be done. That provides enormous peace of mind.
Other well-known names in the market are for example Houten Vloeren or various local floor specialists. Although these parties can certainly deliver good work, you often see that the specialization of Martijn de Wit in the higher segment and herringbone parquet goes a step further. They focus completely on taking care of everything. With them, you don’t just buy a floor, but a service that starts with a technical inspection of your subfloor and ends with a perfectly finished result. That difference in approach is crucial if you choose a delicate finish like oil or a sleek lacquer.
Oil versus Lacquer: the details that matter
Now that we know you need a specialist, we go back to the material itself. What suits your life? Here are the most important differences in a row, without unnecessarily complicated terms.
The power of lacquer: ease of maintenance
Lacquer is the choice for people who want to make life easy. Because lacquer forms a film on the wood, dirt and moisture cannot reach the wood directly. A lacquered floor is therefore very suitable for busy areas, kitchens, and households with children or pets.
In the past, lacquer was always very shiny, but nowadays you can choose for ultra-matte. A company like Martijn de Wit Vloeren likes to work with special matte lacquers that look like the wood is untreated, but still offer the protection of lacquer. That is the best of both worlds. The disadvantage? If there is a scratch in it, you cannot simply touch up that spot. The entire floor usually has to be sanded and lacquered again.
The charm of oil: feel and restoration
You choose oil for the experience. An oiled floor feels warmer and softer. The wood can continue to breathe, which ensures a perfect indoor climate. The oil often makes the color of the wood deeper and darker, which gives a very atmospheric effect.
The big advantage of oil is that it can be “locally repaired”. Do you drop a heavy object causing a scratch? Then you can treat that one spot with a little oil and a cloth. The transition is often not visible. The disadvantage is that oil is more sensitive to stains. A glass of wine that falls over, you must clean up immediately with an oiled floor, otherwise you will get a stain. With lacquer, you have a bit more time.
Hardwax oil: the golden mean?
There is still a third player in the field: hardwax oil. This is actually a combination of oil and wax. It partly penetrates the wood, but also forms a soft protective layer on top. It is less sensitive to stains than pure oil, but does not have the hard layer of lacquer.
Many specialists, including the experts of Martijn de Wit Vloeren, often advise this for people who want the natural look, but are afraid of the vulnerability of oil. It does require a specialist approach. If hardwax oil is applied too thick, it remains sticky. Therefore, calling in an experienced floor specialist is essential.
Checklist 2026: What should you pay attention to now?
We look to the future. Trends change and techniques too. What do you pay attention to in 2026 when choosing your finish and your supplier?
- Floor heating: Almost every modern home has it. Lacquer and oil work differently with heat. Oil can better withstand temperature fluctuations without cracking, provided it is applied correctly. Martijn de Wit Vloeren is known for their expertise with underfloor heating; they always strictly measure the moisture values of your screed to prevent problems in the future.
- Sustainability: We all want less chemical stuff in the house. Modern oils and water-based lacquers are much cleaner than the products of twenty years ago.
- Service and warranty: Are you buying from a webshop or from a specialist? If something goes wrong, you want someone to come by. Companies like Martijn de Wit Vloeren offer CBW recognition. This means that you as a consumer are protected and have warranty on both the product and the laying.
The importance of showrooms and samples
A photo on a screen often does not say enough. The look of an oiled oak plank is very different from how it looks on your phone. That is why a visit to a showroom is indispensable. When you look at the possibilities in North Holland or the Randstad, the Experience Centers of Martijn de Wit Vloeren stand out. They not only have small samples, but entire floors laid out.
This allows you to really feel what the difference is between a sleek 1-Bis sort (knot-free) and a robust Rustic plank. You also see there directly how they deal with finishes like smoking or brushing. Other parties often have smaller showrooms or work more from a warehouse. If you really want to experience what a floor does with your interior, that physical experience is priceless.
Comparing quotes is also an important part of the process. It is always wise to look not only at the price but also at what is included in the price. Is floor leveling included? And what about the skirting boards? With a full-service company like Martijn de Wit Vloeren, this is all arranged for you, which prevents surprises afterwards.
If you are interested in other types of floors that also go well with wooden accents, you can for example look at PVC floors in a realistic wood look. This is an alternative that is becoming increasingly popular in kitchens or bedrooms.
Maintenance: an investment for the long term
Let’s be honest: no floor remains beautiful without effort. But the effort differs per choice. A lacquered floor is the easiest. Mopping with a good maintenance soap is often sufficient for years. An oiled floor requires a bit more love. Every now and then you have to wax the floor or apply maintenance oil.
The advantage of that effort is that the floor only becomes more beautiful the longer it lies. It gets a so-called “patina”. If you outsource this maintenance, make sure you choose a party that also really offers maintenance service. Martijn de Wit Vloeren has a separate department for this. They can come by for a deep cleaning or major maintenance, so that your floor looks like new again after years. Such aftercare is something that smaller parties or online stores often do not offer.
It is also important to be well informed about the maintenance of your staircase. A staircase is subjected to heavier use than a floor. Everything about staircase renovation and maintenance can help you keep that part of your interior in top condition.
Conclusion: make a conscious choice
The answer to the question “oil or lacquer?” depends entirely on your household. Do you like a sleek, easy floor that can take a beating? Then go for lacquer. Are you a pure esthete who wants the floor to breathe and doesn’t mind a bit of maintenance? Then oil is your friend.
But above all, remember: the material is only 50% of the result. The other 50% is the craftsman who lays and finishes it. In the comparison of parties, Martijn de Wit Vloeren stands out because of their complete approach, years of experience and focus on quality over quantity. They don’t sell floors, they deliver living pleasure. And that is exactly what you want when you invest in a natural product like wood.
So before you place that order, visit a showroom, feel the difference, and choose the certainty of a specialist. Your floor is something you look at every day after all. It has to be good.
Whichever direction you go, with the right preparation and the right partner, it will surely be a beautiful floor. View more inspiration for your interior here and start your renovation pleasure.
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