When it comes to wood flooring, more and more DIY’ers are turning to wood pallets as their material of choice.
Pallet wood flooring makes a wonderful option for both aesthetics and durability, but there is more to it than simply tearing apart some wooden pallets and laying them down. Pallet wood flooring is ideal for cottages, chalets, backyard decks, basements, kitchen floors, or even the floor of a pontoon.
However, without the right pallet wood treatment, you may end up with a host of problems that threaten your flooring project and require you to tear it up and start over.
THE VULNERABILITY OF PALLET WOOD
Wooden pallets can be made from a variety of different woods, but they are typically untreated. If the area you plan to use has a decent amount of foot traffic, then it will need protection to make the wood more sustainable and allow your floor to last longer. Using a high-quality oil or varnish to protect your wooden pallet floor will give it the protective coating it needs to ward off some of the most common issues it may encounter.
PROTECT AGAINST MOISTURE
Moisture from common household spills, from higher humidity levels, or from rain and snow can cause wood to warp and rot. No matter where you decide to install a wooden pallet floor, the potential for moisture will be looming unless you take steps to protect it and keep it safe.
ANTIFUNGAL PROTECTION
One of the possible side effects of too much moisture in your flooring is the formation and growth of mold and other fungi. Not only is this dangerous for the wood, but it can pose a health threat to anyone living in the house. Even if you install pallet wood flooring in a cottage that is only used occasionally, a quality cottage floor oil or varnish is required to keep moisture away and keep your family safe.
WHY OIL IS THE BEST OPTION TO PROTECT PALLET WOOD
The reason you should consider oil to protect your pallet wooden floor is that it has the ability to penetrate deep into the wood, offering protection and enhancing the visual appeal of the floor. Ideally, an environmentally-friendly oil that doesn’t contain any manmade chemicals or dangerous solvents would be the best choice, especially if it is an indoor pallet wood floor where your family spends most of its time.
Moreover, and this is especially true for cottage, oil will move along with the floor while varnish may crack and let water get in the floor, so antifungal properties are lost.
If the wooden pallets are being used outdoors, the durability factor will come into play because it will be exposed to the elements 24 hours a day. This may require a different product with a slightly different composition. The same is true in areas of high humidity where increased moisture is unavoidable.
There is no question that pallet wood flooring is a popular option for DIY flooring projects, and that they can create an affordable and visually stunning option for a range of different locations. Just remember to complete the project, including the application of a quality finishing oil to ensure a safe and durable floor.
Want to more more about different types of finishes for floors? Download our comparative guide
