Practical advice on choosing the right finish after wood floor restoration, including the differences between matt, silk matt and satin lacquers.
One of the most common questions we get after sanding a floor is:
“Should I go matt, silk matt or satin?”
The answer depends on the floor, the property and how you live with the room, but there are a few general rules that can help.
Most people focus on colour when restoring a wooden floor, but the finish has a huge influence on how the floor looks day to day.
A floor can look completely different depending on whether a matt, silk matt or satin lacquer is used.
The finish also affects how noticeable small scratches, footprints, dust and everyday wear become over time.
Matt finishes have become increasingly popular over the last few years.
They create a more natural appearance and tend to reduce reflections, making them particularly popular in modern homes and open-plan living spaces.
Matt finishes are also very good at disguising small marks and everyday wear.
For many homeowners, they are simply easier to live with.
If there is one finish we recommend most often, it is usually silk matt.
Silk matt gives a little more depth and warmth than a very flat matt finish without becoming shiny.
It works well in period properties, family homes and most of the restoration projects we carry out across the North East.
Many of the parquet, pine and oak floors shown in our project gallery were finished using Bona Mega Evo Silk Matt or Bona Traffic HD Silk Matt.
Satin finishes have more sheen and reflect more light.
Some customers love the cleaner, brighter appearance they create, particularly in darker rooms.
The trade-off is that scratches, dust and general wear can sometimes become more visible than they would with matt or silk matt finishes.
That doesn’t mean satin is a bad choice. It simply means it suits some homes better than others.
Generally speaking:
This is one reason why matt and silk matt finishes have become the most popular choices in recent years.
There is no universal answer, but if a customer asks for our opinion without any strong preference, we usually suggest silk matt.
It provides a natural appearance, works well with most timber species and tends to strike a sensible balance between appearance and practicality.
That said, every floor is different.
The best choice will always depend on the timber, the room, the lighting and how you want the floor to look in everyday use.
If you’re considering wood floor restoration and aren’t sure which finish would suit your home, we can talk through the options before any work begins.
In many cases we can also show examples from previous projects so you can see how different finishes look on real floors rather than relying on brochure photos.
If you want a broader overview of how finish choice affects day-to-day living, our article What Is the Best Finish for a Wooden Floor? looks at sheen, durability and maintenance in more practical terms.
Send us a few photos or tell us what you are dealing with. We will explain whether cleaning, restoration or replacement is the most sensible next step.
