Raw / Invisible Finishes
In recent years, one of the strongest design trends we’ve noticed in oak flooring is the move towards finishes that look almost invisible. Homeowners and designers alike are searching for that beautifully understated look – a finish that keeps the wood as close as possible to its raw, natural appearance, while avoiding the warmer, orange tones that traditional treatments can sometimes create.
This style has grown in popularity because it offers the best of both worlds: the natural charm of oak with more contemporary feel. The end result is a floor that feels fresh and organic all at once.
The appeal of an unfinished look
Oak is a stunning wood with its own natural grain and colour variations. However, depending on the finish, oak can sometimes take on warmer, orange tones that change the overall look of the floor. While some people love that richness, many prefer a lighter, more organic aesthetic.
That’s where ‘invisible’ or ‘raw’ finishes come in. They give oak the protection it needs, while keeping its tones and texture as close as possible to how the wood looks in its natural, raw, and unfinished state.
How to achieve an unfinished look
Untreated
One way to achieve this style is by starting with an unfinished oak floor and treating it on site with a high-quality product. Choosing an untreated board may seem illogical – “why pick an untreated board when I could buy one that’s finishes already?” you might ask. However, there are advantages that may not be immediately obvious.
We cover some of these pros and cons in our “Pre-treated or Untreated Engineered Wood” article but one key advantage worth highlighting here is patch repair. Should your floor ever become marked or worn in a particular spot, individual boards can be sanded back and refinished without having to redo the entire floor. Matching these boards back into the rest of the floor is much easier when you know exactly what the original treatment was – simply reapply the same finish as before. With pre-treated boards, this is harder, as you’re trying to recreate a factory-applied treatment.
If you’re developing a property to sell, you may be less concerned about long-term maintenance. However, if the flooring is for your own home, it’s worth remembering that a wooden floor is potentially a floor for life. Ongoing maintenance, if overlooked, can be costly later on.
Pre-treated
If you’d rather go for a pre-finished board, an increasingly popular option is oak flooring treated at the factory with an invisible matt lacquer. These lacquers are designed to replicate the appearance of raw, untreated oak while offering the added benefit of durability and a finish that requires no further work during installation.
For many homeowners, this offers peace of mind and convenience. Once the floor is down, it’s ready to live on. While patch repairs aren’t as simple, the overall toughness of modern lacquers means they do stand up well to everyday life.
Which option is right for you?
Both of these approaches have their advantages, and the right choice will depend on your home, lifestyle, and personal preferences:
• Unfinished + on-site treatment: Natural look, easier to patch repair, wider choice of finishes, more hands-on during installation.
• Invisible Matt Lacquer: Natural look, ready to go from day one, minimal site work required, harder to maintain in future.
Either way, invisible finishes are a fantastic choice if you love oak in its most natural state and want a floor that feels timeless and versatile.
For a durable oiled finish, we often recommend Treatex Hardwax Oil Soft White. This product includes a white pigment which helps to keep the oak looking raw and natural. If you prefer a lacquered finish, Bona Traffic Raw is widely known for being both durable and incredibly discreet, giving a true “invisible” effect.
Reccomended Finishes
For an easy to apply and durable oiled finish, we often recommend Treatex Hardwax Oil Soft White. This product includes a white pigment which helps to keep the oak looking raw and natural. If you prefer a lacquered finish, Bona Traffic Raw is widely known for being both durable and incredibly discreet, giving a true “invisible” effect.
Popular Compatible Floorboards
In most of our engineered oak flooring ranges we supply an untreated option, which can be finished on site with a invisible finish of your choice. Some of our most popular untreated boards include:
‘Supreme’ 220mm x 21/6mm – For those looking for the highest quality engineered oak flooring on the market. Long and wide boards, boasting a 6mm wear layer of stunning French Oak.
‘Classic’ 220mm x 15/4mm – Looks just the same as the Supreme 220mm, but a thinner and more affordable option.
‘Country’ 190mm x 14/3mm Random Length – A good choice for those looking for a high quality affordable engineered oak option. Boards come in a mixture of lengths, which appeals to some.
‘Serenity’ 190mm x 20/4mm AB Grade Unfinished – An AB grade offers clean boards that contain less knots and characteristics. A great choice for those looking for a more refined and minimalist aesthetic.
Herringbone – In herringbone we offer a few different unfinished options including the 18mm thick ‘Reverie’, the ‘Elysian’ AB Grade unfinished and ‘Elysian’ unfinished (Natural grade).
You can view all of our untreated engineered oak boards using the following pre-refined link: Untreated Engineered Oak.
For examples of invisible matt lacquered finishes please take a look at:
‘Serenity’ 190mm x 20/4mm Invisible Matt Lacquered for a traditional straight plank and Elysian AB Grade Invisible Matt Lacquered (cleaner boards) or Elysian Invisible Matt Lacquered (natural grade) for herringbone options.
We also offer other invisible matt lacquered options which are not featured on our website so please always feel free to call us to discuss your specific requirements.
Talk to us about your project
At JFJ Wood Flooring, we’ve been helping homeowners and professionals choose the right oak flooring for their projects for decades. As a family business, we pride ourselves on giving honest, practical advice and making sure you feel confident in your choice.
If you’d like to explore invisible finishes for your home, why not request some free samples through our website? Or, if you’d prefer to chat it through, we’re only a phone call away and always happy to discuss your project.
