This post is provided by Ben Duke.

Lacquered vs Oiled is one of the biggest debates and wars that goes on in the flooring world. First we will start with a bit of information, and to answer what I imagine is a question going through your heads right now, what exactly are lacquered and oiled finishes"

Lacquered comes with a high gloss and matt finish, and the lacquer that is applied is a type of varnish used as a protection. Oiled comes with more of a vintage finish, and is far more old fashioned, and finished with a hardwax. Both have their advantages and their disadvantages which we will break down for you now.

Lacquered

Pros

Lacquered is incredibly water resistant, so spillages can be very easily cleaned up before permanent damage is caused. Excessive exposure to moisture can cause your floor to curl so you have got to be cautious of the amount of water spilled, but generally it is far more water resistant than oiled. 
It is also good for rooms with heavy footfall, and has good resistance to high levels of traffic and is probably the toughest finish around.

Cons

It can be very easily scuffed or scratched, so if you are worried about the appearance of scratches then this may not be the best finish for you. So if used in hallways it is advised to invest in a door mat!

Resanding can be an issue, if small scratches are an issue the whole floor will need resanding and refinishing!

Oiled

Pros

One of the main advantages of oiled i...