Solid Oak Floor care advice/tips please?

[helpmeoutpls]

Hi. We moved recently & had a beautiful solid oak floor fitted across the kitchen/family room. With this being a high traffic area & also having various other projects like windows replaced, it has started to show lots of superficial & some more significant marks and scratches. Any good tips on what cleaning/maintenance products are worth the money would be greatly appreciated. I cannot allow the floor to get too slippery though as have a 2 year old who thinks he's a marathon runner! Many thanks in advance.

[carrust]

Do know what varnish or oil was put on it when it was installed?

[helpmeoutpls]

Hi. Not sure exactly but was pre-done when purchased. I'm not sure if it was on the box but the word laquer springs to mind from somewhere?! I'll try & find the invoice as that may shed some light on it. Failing that, the chippy who laid it is due back to fit some wardrobes (hopefully pretty soon) so he may be able to enlighten me. It has kind of a sheen to it as opposed to a gloss. Sorry I can't be more sure but will do my best to find out.
Thanks.

[carrust]

Are you sure it's not a laminate floor? Most solid oak floors come unfinished. If it is a laminate floor, then there's nothing much you can do:-(

[Clanad]

Actually, I finished laying a solid oak, 3/4 inch thick prefinished floor a few months ago. In this case it was, of course, here in the U.S. and the brand was Bruce, however there are many prefinished oak (or other woods for that matter) floors. The finish is usually a stain and several coats of Polyurethane covering.

I'd say find out the brand name form the installer. They will be able to provide a "kit" that includes some coloring matching your flooring as well as instructions on how to apply. You will find, however, the scratches, ordinary wear and tear and other daily use is actually one of the charming thigs about a wood floor. If you expect it to remain pristine for very long, given kids, dogs and the ability to drop things, one shouldn't choose hardwood flooring. When the whole thing gets to the point that you really can't stand it anymore, you'll be able to hire someone (or DIY if you choose) to come in and sand it with a machine and refinish.
Best of luck!

[helpmeoutpls]

Hi Carrust, thanks for your reply. And yes, I'm absolutely sure it's not laminate. We actually removed a laminate floor to lay this one. It does sound the same stuff as Clanad speaks about in the next answer, as it was easily that thick. I didn't get a chance to root for the invoice yet, but found this link to the place of purchase, which mentions the polyurethane finish that Clanad mentions. http://www.builderdepot.co.uk/pages/Flooring/h ardwood.htm
However they do not have indivual products shown. Any comments would be appreciated if this helps or I can try to find out more. Thanks.

[sense4all]

I have treated/poly finished solid Oak in my hall, I hoover and then steam it every week - it looks a treat, but if it gets a scratch/dint it's to be left. As you are not using anything other than water there is no loss of grip or waxy build up.<We had this so it was waterproof up to the point where people leave their shoes. >

I also have an oiled floor in solid oak - this is easier to get scratches out of as it can just be sanded and lightly oiled ( half boiled linseed and half danish oil) it is a bit of a pain as it CAN be hoovered but not steamed.