Difference between HardWaxOil and Oil and Wax

Question:
What is the difference between single oil and Hardwax oil? I am particularly interested in finding a very 'natural' non-chemical product. Thanks.

HardWaxOil is a two-in-one product: oil - which penetrates the wood - for long term protection, wax for the wear and tear layer to protect the wood from dirt and drips.

single Oil: for instance Saicos Wood Wax Clear, for long term protection, which needs a second product - like Saicos Premium HardWaxOil (1 coat) - to create the wear and tear layer to protect the wood from dirt and drips.

Like HardWaxOil the Saicos oils contain natural ingredients.

In earlier days it was quite normal to finish a floor with a deep sealer and then to apply two coats of carnauba wax. Because of changing VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) regulations this sealer is no longer allowed.
Manufacturers, like Osmo and Blanchon, have created HardWaxOil with natural ingredients to replace the old method, to save the environment and time for installers.

HardWaxOil on tropical wood species can very easily give a patchy result due to the fact the wood itself is 'oily'. Although HardWaxOil manufacturers used to mention that their product was not very suitable on tropical woods, this statement disappeared from most of the instructions in recent years - simply because every company wants to sell as much as possible of their own products for as many as possible applications.

Our experience with both finish types on tropical wood species shows that single oil does tend to give a better result than HardWaxOil .

It is for that reason we recommend to use HardWaxOil natural or any of the available colours in this range on Oak and other non-tropical wood-species and Saicos Wood Wax Clear (followed with Premium HardWaxOil) for tropical wood species to get the best results.

Although Saicos' Wood Wax is also available with colour pigments, why would you want to colour a tropical wood? Tropical wood is often chosen for its own rich and warm in colour appearance, and in our eyes changing this would be a shame. But that just our opinion of course.

See our secure webshop for further options and prices.

A wide selection of natural wooden flooring: From Basic Oak to Bespoke can be found in our secure webshop