Proper Care for Reclaimed Wood: Oil, Wax or Varnish? (Care Guide)
The short answer: Never varnish genuine reclaimed wood. Varnish seals the pores, prevents the wood from breathing, and destroys the valuable patina. The only correct choice for chalets in the Bernese Oberland is high-quality hardwax oil.
In this guide, you will learn why varnish is a "cardinal sin" for antique wood, which oil we use for our projects in Gstaad, and how you can refresh your walls and floors yourself in 4 steps.
As a carpenter working daily with centuries-old wood, my heart bleeds when I see "dead-varnished" beams. Reclaimed wood lives from its openness and texture. If you wrap it in plastic (varnish), it loses its character and – worse yet – can rot from the inside if moisture penetrates but cannot escape.
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Why Varnish on Reclaimed Wood is a Cardinal Sin
Varnish forms a rigid layer on the surface. Reclaimed wood, however, "works" significantly – it expands and contracts, especially with temperature fluctuations in vacation homes (heating on/off).
The result with varnish: It cracks. Cleaning water penetrates these fine cracks, the wood turns gray under the varnish, and you have to sand down the entire floor. With reclaimed wood, sanding means you irretrievably destroy the structured, weathered surface.
Oil vs. Wax: The Big Comparison
For interiors, we almost always recommend hardwax oil. It combines the deep penetration of oil with the protective layer of wax.
| Feature | Pure Linseed Oil | Hardwax Oil (Recommended) | Beeswax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protection | Low (deep protection only) | High (water-repellent) | Medium (prone to stains) |
| Appearance | Strongly enhancing (darker) | Natural matte | Silk gloss |
| Maintenance | High (re-oil often) | Low | Medium (polishing needed) |
Guide: Oiling Reclaimed Wood in 4 Steps
Want to give your chalet floor a new shine? Here is how we do it for our customers:
- Cleaning: Vacuum the wood thoroughly. For stains, use a mild wood soap and very little water.
- Preparation: The wood must be absolutely dry. Turn up the heating slightly beforehand.
- Application: Apply the hardwax oil thinly with a lint-free cloth or a polishing pad. Massage it in the direction of the grain.
- Drying: Let the oil dry for 24 hours with good ventilation. Do not walk on it!
Pro Tip: If you are unsure whether your floor is oiled or varnished, do the water drop test. If it soaks in, it is oil or raw wood. If it stays on top, it is varnish.
"An oiled floor gets more beautiful with age, a varnished floor only gets uglier." – Old carpenter's wisdom.
Special for Gstaad: Care Before the Winter Season
In our Saanenland region, wooden floors suffer extremely in winter. The dry heating air and the alternation of wet ski boots to slippers stress the material.
We recommend to our customers in Gstaad: Perform maintenance oiling in October or November. This saturates the fibers and makes the floor resistant to melted snow and road salt residues that are inevitably tracked in.
Do you have major damage or water rings? We offer professional parquet sanding and oiling without destroying the reclaimed wood structure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I maintain reclaimed wood with olive oil?
No, never! Cooking oils like olive oil go rancid and start to smell. They also do not cure and offer no protection. Always use curing oils like boiled linseed oil or special hardwax oils.
How often do I need to oil my reclaimed wood?
Heavily used floors (entrance area, kitchen) should be re-oiled once a year. Wall paneling often only needs a refresh every 5-10 years as it is not exposed to mechanical stress.
What to do about scratches in oiled floors?
That is the great advantage of oil: You can repair partially. Lightly sand the scratched area and apply some new oil. With varnished floors, you would have to renovate the entire surface.
Is reclaimed wood possible in the bathroom?
Yes, but only with the right care. We use special, water-resistant oil and seal joints carefully. However, standing water must always be wiped up immediately.
Unsure how to treat your valuable reclaimed wood?
We are happy to take a look on site.