Skip to content 
Parquet Flooring Finishes: UV Lacquer, Oil and Hard Wax Oil? Choose parquet flooring finishes by comparing two things: how the finished pattern looks in the space and what the supplier recommends for its care. UV lacquer, natural oil, and hard wax oil are three options listed in the END GRAIN parquet series. To decide between them, review physical samples of the same design where possible, then ask for written care guidance for the exact finish under consideration. A finish name alone does not establish sheen, maintenance needs, or suitability for a particular project.
Compare Parquet Flooring Finishes on the Same Pattern
When comparing oiled vs lacquered parquet, try to keep the wood, grade, color direction, and pattern the same across samples. If one sample is darker or has more pronounced grain, note that difference before attributing the effect to the finish. For Versailles parquet, use a sample that shows both the square frame and the interwoven diagonal pieces. A small swatch can help narrow down a color, but it cannot show how the frame and inner motif look together.
| Finish option | What to look at on the sample | What to request in writing |
|---|---|---|
| UV lacquer | View the panel from the main approach and check whether reflected light draws attention away from the pattern. | Exact finish reference, agreed sheen or sample ID, and recommended cleaning and care instructions. |
| Natural oil | Compare the color and grain contrast beside the project’s other materials. Check how clearly the border reads against the inner pieces. | Exact finish and color references, routine care guidance, and whether periodic care is specified. |
| Hard wax oil | Review color and sheen across the full motif. If adjacent panels are available, compare how their surfaces look together. | Exact finish reference, recommended care products, and any instructions or limits for treating local marks. |
Ask about cleaning, periodic care, and local marks for all three options. The table gives each sample review a starting point; it does not assign a standard appearance or care routine to any finish type.
Review Color and Sheen Under the Project’s Lighting
Lay the samples flat next to the actual materials they will meet, such as stone, cabinetry, or wall finishes. Check them from the main doorway and from a closer viewing position. Where daylight and artificial lighting both matter, look at the same samples under both. For example, if a Versailles panel will sit beside stone in a hotel reception area, compare the materials from the guest’s approach as well as at the transition itself.
Record the reason for the selection. “Low sheen” is a useful design direction, but it helps to write down what the team saw: for example, the square frame remained easy to distinguish under the planned lighting. For distributors preparing a display, label each sample with its confirmed finish and color reference so the sales team can trace a customer’s choice back to the quoted configuration.
Check Care Guidance Before Approving the Finish
Ask for the care instructions that apply to the proposed panel and finish. Check which cleaning products and methods the supplier recommends, whether any periodic care is specified, and what guidance applies if a local mark needs attention. If a named care product appears in the instructions, ask the project team to check whether it can obtain that product in its market. For an occupied property, involve the people who will actually look after the floor.
Track appearance and care as separate approvals. A designer can accept the color and sheen while the contractor or facility team is still reviewing the care guidance. Record that as appearance approved; care review pending. If the project has separate performance requirements, request documentation for the exact configuration instead of drawing conclusions from the sample or finish name.
Confirm the Finish for the Panel You Intend to Order
The European oak engineered Versailles parquet flooring is a reference for reviewing the framed design. The series uses European oak and a multilayer engineered construction. It lists UV lacquer, natural oil, and hard wax oil as finish options, but the series list does not establish which finish is available for every panel size, grade, or color. Ask the supplier to confirm the combination for the pictured design before entering it on the order.
Keep the product reference, panel dimensions, grade, color, finish reference, approved sample ID, and care document together. If the finish changes after the sample has been approved, review the appearance and care guidance for the revised selection before updating the order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does UV lacquer mean the parquet will look matte?
No. Check the actual panel under the intended lighting and ask the supplier to confirm the sheen or the sample that represents the agreed appearance.
Can I choose between natural oil and hard wax oil from photographs?
Use photographs to shortlist the options. Compare physical samples for color, sheen, and pattern contrast, then review the care guidance for each finish.
Can one care guide cover several finishes?
Ask the supplier to confirm the scope of the guide. Use it for the selected panel only after confirming that it covers the exact product and finish.
What should I send when asking about a parquet finish?
Share your company name, project type or target market, preferred pattern and panel size, estimated quantity, and any color or sheen references. Include any care requirements the project team wants to review.
Discuss the finish for your parquet project. Send END GRAIN your preferred pattern, panel specification, and color direction. A material board or reference image can help identify the appearance you want and the finish options to confirm for your selected panel.
