Gloss Level Guide
The gloss level of your polished timber flooring affects its appearance and how often you'll need to clean it. To choose the best option, consider your lifestyle and specific needs, as these factors play a major role. We offer various timber floor coating options, including:
A low-sheen finish delivers a sleek, modern appearance and performs exceptionally well in naturally lit areas, providing subtle reflectivity without harsh glare. It also reduces upkeep by minimizing the visibility of dust and smudges.
Semi-gloss provides about sixty percent of the shine of full gloss, offering a balanced option if you're unsure between high shine and a more subdued look. Each level has unique benefits, so the best choice depends on your style and needs.
Full gloss fans definately still exist, but its reflective surface highlights dust and scratches, requiring more upkeep. While it has its appeal, most people now prefer lower sheen levels for a more modern look that suits contemporary design trends.
Low Sheen Finish
Low Sheen Benefits
Low sheen finishes are ideal for families with busy lifestyles, thanks to their minimal maintenance needs. They provide a stylish, modern appearance while reducing the visibility of minor dust buildup, a key advantage for polished timber flooring. Landlords also favour this option for rental properties, as it seamlessly combines aesthetic appeal with practicality.
Full Gloss Finish
Most clients with polished timber flooring in classic Queensland homes choose a high-gloss finish for good reason. This finish beautifully highlights the light golden tones and distinctive grain patterns of Hoop Pine floors. Additionally, its reflective quality enhances the charm of colonial-style architecture, adding depth and elegance to the space.
Full Gloss Pros and Cons
A dedicated group of full gloss enthusiasts still exists, even though its popularity peaked about ten to fifteen years ago among builders and homeowners. High gloss floors demand meticulous upkeep, requiring extra care and frequent cleaning to maintain their pristine look. While the shiny, impressive appearance of full gloss can help sell a home, buyers often overlook its high maintenance needs. Once they move in, they quickly realize that keeping a high gloss finish spotless, where every speck of dust is prominently visible, can be quite a challenge.
Other Points to Consider
Indoor Pets: If you have an indoor dog, opting for a low-sheen finish is a practical choice. Polished timber floors can be easily scratched by dog claws, and the reflective surface of a high gloss finish makes such damage more noticeable. A low-sheen finish, however, reduces the visibility of scratches, providing a more durable and pet-friendly option.
Downlights: Traditional (older style) directional downlights can cause a spider-web effect on your floors at night. This occurs when the focused light spreads across the surface, highlighting rotary sanding swirl marks through light refraction in the coating—marks that are typically unseen under regular lighting. Modern downlights, which use diffused light, are designed to prevent this issue. The 'spider web effect' is particularly noticeable on full gloss floors and is even more pronounced on darker surfaces, making the combination of old-style downlights, a dark floor and full gloss finish the most problematic scenario.