1974
A small team sets out to make wood finishes from plants and minerals instead of petrochemicals.
Natural wood finishes, made from plants since 1974.
LIVOS makes plant-based oils that protect wood from the inside out. LIVOS Canada brings them to you, with the advice you need to use them right.
More than 50 years of working with wood, not against it.
1981
ALIS, KUNOS, KOIMOS. Product names are drawn from Celtic words, a nod to a culture that held nature sacred.
1989
Production moves into a former furniture factory in Emern, Germany. Every LIVOS product is still made there.
1990
LIVOS starts cold-pressing its own linseed oil to control quality at the source.
2004
A Quebec cabinetmaker switches his shop to LIVOS. Other woodworkers follow, then retailers.
Today
More than 200 points of sale carry LIVOS, backed by a team based in Quebec.
LIVOS was created for a better way to protect wood.
In the decades before LIVOS was founded, synthetic wood finishes such as polyurethane varnishes became common because of their durability. At the same time, growing concern around the health and environmental impact of some synthetic products led researchers back toward plant-based materials.
LIVOS was founded in Germany in 1974 with the goal of developing high-performance alternatives based on natural vegetable oils. The mission was simple then and remains the same today: create finishes that protect wood while taking human health and the natural environment seriously.
High performance should not come at the expense of people or the environment.
High performance starts with what goes into the formula.
LIVOS works with nearly 150 renewable raw materials across its formulations, including plant oils, natural resins, waxes and plant-derived ingredients. These materials are selected for both performance and quality.
Since 1990, LIVOS has cold-pressed its own linseed oil in Germany without chemical extraction. Raw materials are continuously checked for quality and suitability before becoming part of a LIVOS formula.
And since 1984, complete ingredient declaration has been the LIVOS standard. You can see what is actually in the finish you bring into your home, workshop or project.
If it is in the can, we will tell you.
Why people choose LIVOS
Full transparency
Every ingredient is declared. LIVOS has made complete formula transparency a company standard since 1984.
Plant-based formulation
Nearly 150 renewable raw materials are used across LIVOS formulations, with ongoing quality and toxicity-control testing.
Penetrating protection
The oil penetrates into the wood instead of relying on a plastic-like surface film, so it will not peel, blister or chip like a film finish.
Easy maintenance
Clean, touch up or refresh worn areas with a thin coat instead of stripping the entire surface back to bare wood.
Brought here by a woodworker.
In 2004, Quebec cabinetmaker Ghislain Lebel adopted LIVOS while looking for a more natural way to finish the wood used in his own shop.
He later brought the brand to Canada. Other woodworkers followed, then retailers. Today, LIVOS North America supports homeowners, craftspeople and professionals across Canada and the United States.
Our role is simple: help you choose the right wood oil or finish, apply it correctly and maintain it for the long term.
Premium quality. More wood per litre.
LIVOS penetrating oils are applied in very thin coats and offer exceptional coverage. That means premium ingredients and professional performance without necessarily paying a premium cost for the finished project.
Some LIVOS finishes cover more than 200 sq. ft. per litre on the first coat, with significantly less product required for subsequent coats.
You should know what is going onto your wood.
A single emissions number cannot tell you everything about a wood finish. LIVOS takes a more transparent approach by publishing the ingredients in its formulas, so customers can understand what they are applying in their homes and workshops.
Product formulations, emissions information and technical certifications vary by product. For exact details, consult the current technical data sheet for the specific LIVOS oil, stain, wax, cleaner or finish you are using.
Natural wood finishes for inside and outside.
Every LIVOS product is made for a specific surface and use. Tell us about your wood and we will point you to the right one.
Interior wood oils
Penetrating wood oils and natural finishes for floors, furniture, cabinetry, countertops and other interior wood.
Exterior wood oils and stains
Natural exterior wood protection for decks, siding, fences, doors and outdoor furniture.
Care and maintenance
Cleaners and maintenance products designed to help preserve and refresh oiled wood surfaces.
Not sure which finish you need?
Tell us about your wood and your project. We will point you to the right product.