There are various reasons why homeowners might decide to go with one type of engineered wood flooring over the other whether it be for increased durability against scratches, a species that is more water-resistant, or the wood that is most affordable. Those are almost secondary decisions though because almost undoubtedly the factor that draws people to a certain kind of floor is the looks (color,grain,shade). The species of wood will always provide the base of the looks from a dark mahogany to a lighter pine but the finish on top is what gives the flooring its true character.

The finish of a floor is very important to the overall allure of a room. Customers may choose a more matte finish to let the room sort of absorb the natural color of the wood or they may opt for a glossier finish to brighten up the room and reflect the light. Finding the right wood / finish combo isn’t an exact science, but here are some tips on the five different finishes we offer and how they should be best applied in your design scheme.

An extra matte clear lacquer finish is one that is considered dull but is still strikingly elegant. The minimal 5-10% level of reflection lets the natural colors of the wood ‘do the work’ in terms of style. There are some concerns that an extra matte, or duller, finish is less durable than thicker layers but that’s definitely not the case. The extra matte finish has proven to be long-lasting even in commercial uses. In fact, many high-traffic floors benefit from the application of the extra matte finish since it hides scratches, dents, and dirt much more than the glossier products.

One thing to note about the extra matte finish is that there is almost no shine at all which makes the floor appear very dry. This darkens the room which isn’t necessarily a horrible thing depending on the amount of natural and artificial light that enters the area. Two main factors determine how each type of gloss will look on a floor 1) the type of wood and 2) the amount of light. As you can imagine, a darker wood such as Brazilian Cherry or Burmese Rosewood can almost look black if installed in a hallway. Some of those factors lead customers who still want a dull finish to opt for a gloss level up from extra matte with a 10-20% matte.

Arguably the most popular type of finish is the semi-matte, a 20-35% blend that is not quite shiny but not quite dull. With the high-gloss many customers remark that the shine is the first thing they see when entering a room which can detract from the other features of an area. Plus with a light flooring and a lot of natural light the high-gloss type of finishes can be almost too bright. A semi-matte finish does have some shine and minimal reflection of light, but not overly done while also hiding some dust and footprints – a perfect fit right in the middle.

One of the complaints of high gloss flooring is that it highlights imperfections such as scratches and dents. This is true but it’s also not always a downfall, especially when some weather and wear actually adds to the allure of a floor like in a cabin or rustic-type home. Plus, high gloss floors are a great way to invoke natural light into a dark room using reflections from a sunlit window or overhead lighting to create head to toe visibility. Applying a high-gloss can also brighten up a naturally dark wood which makes the colors and grains ‘pop’ and thus become more appealing.

The mirrored finish is definitely a niche product but it is one that has a market nonetheless. Many commercial buildings (restaurants, bowling lanes, hotel lobbies) use this finish to brighten their entry way or to make an area appear more like a business. Mirrored finishes combine the warmth of hardwood with the durability and brightness of tile which is very appealing.

Finding the right type of finish can sometimes be a difficult formula blending personal taste, room functionality, type of wood, natural light and more. Either way, it’s good to know that there are options for almost any and all combinations.