In an average home, a three‑coat water‑based lacquer keeps its protective strength for seven to ten years before it needs a light screen‑and‑re‑coat. Hard‑wax oils usually need a maintenance coat every two to three years because they sit within the grain rather than on top. In high‑traffic commercial settings—shops, cafés, school corridors—expect to refresh the finish every three to five years to prevent wear‑through.