WAIT! So thinking I have to stick to a medium brown The contractor will do samples, but I have to give him 3 or 4 colors to try. I love how it really brings out the detail in the wood grain, but keeps pretty true to the natural color. It depends on the age of the wood and the area of the country it came from. Also it would cost be crazy to tear up my floor I bet ! Thanks. Ebony for a deep espresso stylish and dramatic look. Looking for more of a whitewash? I ended up going with Loba 2K Invisible Protect AT, which is much more natural looking. When I renod my first apt in NYC we actually left them unstained (just poly) because we loved the natural color so much. Love this. Would love to keep them natural but there is quite a bit of pink coming out with the Bona classic and the Bona amberseal worries me (worried its too golden already). Teresa If you want a lighter color that is more stylish, Id recommend that you go natural and use a water based poly as that will cut out the yellow. I want to make the floors dark rather then trying to match to all the different wood tones. It works well because, it is a brown stain (and does not have reds mixed in), so its very neutral and goes with almost everything. It will give a nice contrast vs wall and ceilings. Great article. Learn how your comment data is processed. Yellow Pine, Eastern White Pine, & Heart Pine all look fantastic finished Nordic-style frosty White. Because of these strong trends, I needed to update this article. 
I had new red oak floors installed 3 years ago. We have put some duraseal samples down and I like antique brown but it is darker than I was wanting to do. Do you have any suggestions/pictures of hickory floors you have worked on and what turned out beautiful??? Here is some commonly asked questions about staining and finishing oak. Dark walnut is a really rich, chocolatey brown stain color. There are several similar tones, so I think its usually best to see which is just the right shade for your taste. Im ABOUT to do my floors. (Note: Many dark floors look darker in the pictures vs real life.). I am looking to replace my carpet in all the bedrooms with hardwood floors. Jacobean and dark walnut show the dirt a bit less than ebony. If you compare the oak stained with Weathered Oak to that just rubbed with walrus oil (pretty close to raw wood look), you can see that weathered oak slightly deepens the color of the wood and increases the contrast between the lightest and darkest parts of the wood grain. I have hickory engineered floors that I am re finishing. Hi. Robin I think its fine to switch color by level. This generally works best on oak or hickory floors, as they have a stronger grain. We currently have the same in our dining room and kitchen but we want to change those two rooms to match and do them all at the same time as the others. Hello! Nikala The darker you go, the more it will hide the red/orange tones. But, I think they dark will look more modern. thanks! Birch, its understated, casually sophisticated, rustic yet modern. Would you recommend doing them in the provincial stain? Thanks for the suggestions! Or, it could be that you have a non standard wood. Now that you know the best stains on oak wood, time to get to work! A stronger, more intense white color lends itself to a more modern, streamlined interior dcor. Are you painting or doing the floors? So for now, since its your new home and you will be there a while, I would get what you love. See why here: Mixwax vs Duraseal. Note: The type of polyurethane you use (i.e. You may need to replace some of the pieces of wood and weave in to even it out (and refinish again). Golden Oak, fruitwood and ipswich pine are also a nice options just a tad darker and adds some gold tones for more depth. Our condo gets a lot of light from a western exposure. I cant give you guidance as every floor and every stain is different. Graining shows less when you are very dark or very light (i.e. Red tones are more polarizing and less popular than the brown tones, regardless of whether the stain is light or dark. you could try provincial, special walnut or even antique brown. What other kind of wood flooring looks good finished White? We have white oak floors in a beach house that gets tons of natural light. Nordic Seal is a sealer, which has much less pigment than a stain. Nicole Yes, it will darken and amberize over time and be more similar. thanks. While we usually work with cheaper woods, when we are trying to make something really nice, we love using oak. That is the lightest you can go (unless you add white wash). Right now they are stuck in the 90s. We recently updated our kitchen with shaker cabinets in dark cherry and light gray walls. White Oak Floors:Lengths, Widths, and The Issues With Wide Plank, White Oak Flooring Stains: Choosing Beautiful, On Trend Stains, How To Keep White Oak Flooring From Yellowing, our mini home tour featured over on Serena and Lily, Select: uniform in color, very few knots, longer, the least amount of character markings, more uniform length boards, #1 Common: somevariation in light and dark colors, knots, holes, and more variation in the length, #2 Common: rustic, called builders grade, lots of characterwith a variety of color from board to board, prominent, larger-sized knots, plenty of worm holes, and includes some shorter boards. However after mulling over the samples more it seems very dull and almost some pinkish tones that I dont like. Note that gray stained floors work better on white oak than red oak (and even better on maple. We want to have them re-stained in white or gray, but the floor guy told us we could not do that because the yellow color would show up between the boards and we would be able to see light yellow lines in our floors bc the lighter gray/white stain wouldnt cover the honey color. I might actually go for natural with Bona Traffic, especially given your location. I suppose it has a bit of warmth, and its certain not cool cool like ebony is. Any reason now that you wish you would have gone darker? Think of rope accents, Shiplap walls, woven or sisal area rugs & white/wooden furniture combined with white-washed White Oak, its a oceanside dcor dream, like in this Mattituck beachside beauty pictured below: In the gallery below, Character Grade White Oak that we installed & finished in Remsenburg, NY with Bona White stain was the perfect choice for the superb transitional style on display. Love all your comments! This is basically when you have a main color (generally a darker color) and then you wire-brush the floors to pull out the grain, and then you add a second color (most often a white) so it creates a glaze and contrast on the grains. But of course does not stay with the overall traditional look of the brownstone! Will the prefinished darker brown stain prevent/hide the yellowing, or should I expect that it will still show through over time? Thats why so many are unhappy with that as well as their premade grays. Check out Duraseals new gray blend line here. I am refinishing white oak hardwood floors. Popular red tones include red mahogany, sedona red, mesquite red and red oak. I like dark walnut but am afraid its too cool on my white oak floors) I want to know your thoughts on finish.satin or matte. It may, however be a bit too thin/watery, but definitely test it. All photos in carousel above are of 1 coat Bona White stain on Select Grade White Oak. My favorite wood is natural finished walnut and walnut with french bleed. My hardwood guy says there is no stain on my white oak but its very yellow/orange and i dont see how a clear coat will match what I have now. With each successive coat of White stain, the more pronounced the White color will be. I would test these two + dark walnut to see what you think on your floors (they come out different on everyones floors. Many who prefer dark flooring are going for a more opaque look one that shows less graining. Hi! Most frequently, with Red Oak, to go light or white with the color, bleaching is a necessary prerequisite. They also tend to hide some of the imperfections if the wood is older. Please remember that all wood is unique & different, even among the same species of wood. (its the yellow that makes the floors look dated. oil vs water polyurethane) can have a big impact on the color, especially for very light floor. I am just afraid if the floor is too dark and cool it wont blend with all the other woods. Regarding doing a different color/poly, I would do one that youre actually happy with. Antique brown will is darker/browner and red should not be a concern. I would NEVER recommend using paint of any sort for this. I ordered unfinished European oak wide plank (9.5) from ADM flooring design. If its too cool, then mix in a bit of red or a different stain or look test jacobean which has some red undertones and is warmer. Subscribe to get our latest content by email. Even the floor guys were raving about the floors. If you use Bona Traffic HD, you will avoid the yellow and be on trend, it will be hold up best to sand and show it the least. Here are 2 articles that may help. Its just $2.99. In your many trials / tribulations with wood, do you have any suggestions? This Trend Seems to See No End! DOWNLOAD YOUR FLOOR TIMELINE HERE! Usually, when you have a professional do the sanding, this is not an issue. Mary True black actually looks blackor pretty close to it. In addition, over the last two years, a new trend has emerged and an old one has been reinvented. Read my full review + details on Classic Gray wood stain. White washed White Oak floors in Water Mill, NY provide the perfect anchor for this high end transitional decor. There is a trade off between practicality and style and the key is to test and see what you actually prefer. We wont send you spam. ???? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This stain color is what I would consider a medium tone neither super light nor super dark but still transparent enough to really work well on oak! Yes, you read that right! There is a reason that this type of wood has been so popular for hardwood floors, cabinets, and furniture across decades of time. also, you could consider going a stain or two darker if you like that better. Thanks so much for your help! I dont think the gray is going to help (although I may be wrong), especially if you are using a premixed stain from minwax (as its very watery). The floor is white oak with a medium brownish stain; it runs throughout the first floor and needs to be refinished. The current floors were done about 9 -10 years ago. We often use Bona white. Thanks!!! Even after applying stain. And, it may complicate things as you may need to switch polyurethanes (and do a more expensive one). Recommended cleaning products and accessories to maintain floors and reduce scratches, Which are the best brands of polyurethane, Ebook Discover the 6 Secrets to Refinishing Hardwood floors, https://theflooringgirl.com/hardwood-flooring/minwax-vs-duraseal-stain-better-hardwood-floors.html, https://theflooringgirl.com/hardwood-flooring/which-are-the-best-polyurethane-brands-for-floors-which-do-i-recommend.html, California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Policy. Expect to pay 2 to 3 times the amount you would for a standard job. You can see white oak stains in action here. My question is should both 1st floor and garden level floors have the same color stain. I totally forgot to take pictures of the floor so this is the best picture I have of it This picture is supposed to be of the archway which was getting framed. No other polyurethanes are good for this. Jamie This doesnt sound right (although I havent seen your floors). What stain color works best with Beige walls and white base board, vaulted off white ceilings? The trend seems to be driven in part by the gray trend and in part by high end beach resorts in the Hamptons and now the Jersey Shore. If you have red oak, Id probably reconsider (as it will turn out pinkish and you may need to spend extra on bleaching the floors). It could be due to the way the picture was taken or how it looks on your screen. So, for example, dark walnut is better than jacobean (which has some red undertones). So, I will refinishbut so torn between going with the light (Bona Nordic or Loba, like you did) or a dark color, like the driftwood, aged pewter, or ebony. Please help. Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter | YouTube. Also there is overlap of stain colors between Duraseal and Minwax. Gray is a bit challenging to achieve and more expensive than typical colors as you need to blend 2 colors and use a water based poly (otherwise it will yellow). I prefer traditional rustic decor throughout my house-so the chestnut although orange/red works with it. Use the search bar below to find what you are looking for! We want it to be a little darker than the current floor but I dont remember the name but it is lighter. But, I will tell you that sometimes when its mixed with white, it looks a bit bluish or a dark gray bluish. I want something on the lighter side but I like the grays. If I was going with a dark color, this would be it. Ill skip the paint and try the stain instead Any thoughts about using the stains you recommended in white on hickory floors, or do you think a different species would work better? Did you wipe with a dry rag after? You can read more about gray hardwood floors here Refinishing hardwood floors gray. Others, prefer a bit lighter as it is easier to clean and maintain. Considering purchasing a new maple engineered floor (Bella Cera verona) that is pre-finished with a darker brown/khaki colored stain (pisa). Or is it best to use a difference species? heavy traffic rooms such as kitchen or entry area, it will be harder to match. Any suggestions on how we can even out the stain so that the lighter area doesnt show as much. Also, you MUST use a conditioner w/ pine before you apply the stain. The knowledge I gained from houzz.com helped me a lot during my home renovations! Think clean lines, metal railings, open stairs, black & white accents. Are you about to sand your floors? Read my full review + details on Dark Walnut wood stain! To intensify the White tone, we most frequently use Bona White stain because we feel it is the brightest white color of all hardwood flooring stains. 
WAIT! My biggest problem with staining oak is that it is gorgeous to begin with! If you cant afford to redo the other floors, do them in a few years when you can afford it/when its convenient. I honestly love the natural rich color of oak wood and dont like to cover it up with a dark stain. If you like dark, but dont like in kitchen, you could try to contrast there and do a white wash or natural w/ bona Traffic. White floors lighten a space, and impart a beachy or a contemporary vibe. Then, there are red/brown blends such as English Chestnut. I seem to get a lot of questions on this, especially as many contractors dont have much experience with it. I wasnt there when they did the sample stains. My general contractor and I get along really well but hell be the first to tell you that I am NOT an easy customer to deal with. Oil based poly will be a bit darker and more amber. Also, use Duraseal for the stain, not minwax. I recommend them as they are good products. Will show too much sand. No. Here are the wood stains that we tested on oak wood: Weathered Oak by Minwax is my favorite light stain to use on oak wood. What are your thoughts? Yes, walnut is a very soft wood and probably not a good choice for a very heavy traffic area. This are mixtures of grays and browns and beiges. Weve had them sanded and they are gorgeous. You may also want to look into UV protection for your windows. Light colors are very cheery as well as neutral. Just annoyed that they arent more brown.. Jo Your floors probably turned orange because they used an oil based poly which yellows and amberizes over timeand chestnut isnt a very dark stain so the orange shows through. 2 coats White stain on unbleached Red Oak makes for a more intense white color. Hello! Lena You should probably either go very dark (e.g. Work picked up and it was hard enough juggling that while simultaneously following up on the house, making micro decisions on a daily basis, let alone blog about it. Is this true or are they selling me something? So whats the big fuss over white floors? Do you think that would be ok? I dont mind if the color eventually pulls grey. The wood arrived and really looks beautiful, and I wish I could retain its unstained color, but as soon as we add a clear water based Poly coat, it goes much too yellow/dark. Avoid these common pitfalls that can impact your floors durability! Above Photos All Display Red Oak flooring with bleach & 1 coat of Bona White stain. Some things to be aware of: bleaching is a hazardous chemical and produces a chemical reaction with the wood. Are you about to sand your floors? Get alerts of our latest projects and special peeks behind the scenes! So, if you want extremely dark, give this color a try. Should I have someone mix stain to soften the grain? Also, I want to extend the wood flooring into the connecting rooms (that are now carpet). Nordic Seal will help to tone down Reds (2 coats, even better), but Red Oak will NEVER look like White Oak. Do I have to do a conventional white wash w milk paint or lyme to get the look? You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page. But, by that time, it will be time to refinish the floors anyway. He said even after sanding, the honey color would still be down in the cracks between boards. My dilemma is what stain to go with. Red tones are more challenging to decorate with as they are more challenging to match other wood furniture, as well as paint, window treatments and pillows. All that aside, in 10 years, it will be time to refinish your floors anyway, so you can always change/update the color then if thats your major concern. Royal Mahogany has a bit of red cut in. Putting a White stain on un-bleached Red Oak can also be very nice, though the floors will be certainly a bit warmer in tone than a Red Oak floor that has been bleached. https://theflooringgirl.com/hardwood-flooring/minwax-vs-duraseal-stain-better-hardwood-floors.html Duraseal is better and the stains come out darker so it may blend the graining in more. The picture below is more indicative of what provincial typically looks like. Here on Long Island, its true, we execute White on White over and over again, because of its easy, breezy, beachy look. natural with Bona Traffic water borne poly). With a white stain on unbleached Red Oak, the house can look contemporary, and still be incredibly inviting. If you want to avoid pink/yellow, Id go more brown. Cathy I hear you on the glossy and orange yellow. Was it local to you? Is there a light to medium color stain that could help accomplish this? 1 coat of Bona White stain lightens the wood and presents a soft White color. Check out these projects below, all bleached Pine (varying species) with 1 coat Bona White stain! If that isnt dark enough, you could try mixing in some True Black. Often people do different so they dont have this option. In general, the darker you go with the stain, the less graining you see, so you may want to mix in ebony. When Red Oak is bleached, the nearly-White canvas that is the result is much lighter than the natural brown color of White Oak. I wrote a post about how the birch stain came out which is to say, terribly! So, I dont know what you mean by walnut dark walnut or special walnut or the species. I love the wide plank look possibly European Oak or Hickory but am struggling with the color. After 3 years my floors are looking orange. We live in a 1st floor and garden level traditional brownstone in Boston. The 1st floor oak flooring has English chestnut stain throughout kitchen, living room, dining room and smaller bed room. Will it look ok to have 21/4 in rest of house and 5 in or 4 in kitchen dining? Not sure how long to wait before using them? (Marble white/gray flooring) If so.what was the stain color and name of tile? I totally agree with you. Its the perfect choice for a summer house, or a beachy style. 1 coat Bona White looks Dreamy on this newly installed Select White Oak in Commack. But, if you have regular solid wood, like the solid wood you see in most homes, then you are fine. Need help keeping track of your stain and paint colors? Has anyone found a wood looking tile to match stained white oak. Our clients love the light tan, creamy beige tones of White Oak, and so they choose this species over and over again. Click here for my best tips on how to seal stained wood! So use Duraseal instead (same manufacture as minwax and a lot of shared colors). This is my first choice vacuum for hardwood floors, the best steam mop for tile floors and best hardwood floor cleaner. Want to see the floor cleaning products I recommend? Project locations are Bayville, Floral Park, and Lloyd Harbor, NY. Yes, gray is the new hot color. Search stuff like: Ceiling Projects | DIY Plant Stands | Thrift Flips. Yes, it will turn yellow and it will not look normal at all. Its been very popular in tile and carpet for years and its now been making its way into hardwood for the last 3 or 4 years. Top row of photos above taken in a lovely summer home in Water Mill, NY. Check out a TON of wood stains sampled onto red oak and see my favorites! Love your blog. But, either stain should look good with your walls. Lighter, especially natural tends to hold up better/last longer and show less dirt. Unfortunately, I am stuck with the mahogny furniture as my husband will not part with it. You can never match exactly no matter what you do as wood is a natural product and it changes color over time. If so, it could be that you didnt sand properly. The original floors might have been salvageable, if not for the gapping. I love your post! However, applying a sealant will make the underlying wood more durable and easier to clean. We are remodeling garden level. Whatever you do, I would stay away from reds and red undertones. I originally envisioned dark-stained floors because, well, everyone I know has dark-stained floors and I always loved that look. Jacobean is very similar, so its good to test that stain, too. Don't miss out on future blog posts, giveaways, and reviews! It settles really nicely into the lines of grain, making them extra dark. Pine has a very yellow base tone that improves greatly with bleaching, so if the plan is to go White with Pine, you should plan to bleach it first before applying the white stain. Id try to avoid minwax stains or premade whites such as country white as it is very thin/liquidity and allows the pinks and yellows to shine through. Please note that these are products I know/use and recommend to my customers. Valenti Flooring, 344 Portion Road, Suite 202, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779. Matt Oh yes, with a dark brown stain, you are fine! Check out this Northport project on Instagram, also White on White Oak. Any suggestions? (My original article was from 2011 and yes, styles and trends evolve). White floors are chic, clean, and bright. At NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU, I will earn a small commission, if you purchase them. This is a dark stain but if you are looking for a deep, rich color, this is a really great option. Light floors make both of these homes appear brighter and more open! Dark Walnut is similar to Ebony and Jacobean, but it a bit lighter, which some customers prefer. Do you know why that would be? This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Also, if you need to refinish one area before others (e.g. Another question I get frequently is: Does using Nordic Seal make Red Oak look like White Oak? He says Im very detail-oriented, which is just a nice way of saying neurotic-perfectionist. I wish I could help you but your question is really outside of my expertise! How long does it take to sand and refinish hardwood floors? Id try dark walnut as well as 50/50 blend of ebony/dark walnut and maybe 50/50 ebony/jacobean. Any help is super appreciated!! can we see a picture of the finished floor w the birch stain please? I would like to stay lighter as our home is in the country and we have 3 young children tracking in dirt often. Also, the color comes out different on different woods. How about a good before and after to see transition from Dark to Light? The most coats of White stain we have ever done on a floor was 3, though this is not for an amateur to attempt because the stain can start to look cloudy!
I had new red oak floors installed 3 years ago. We have put some duraseal samples down and I like antique brown but it is darker than I was wanting to do. Do you have any suggestions/pictures of hickory floors you have worked on and what turned out beautiful??? Here is some commonly asked questions about staining and finishing oak. Dark walnut is a really rich, chocolatey brown stain color. There are several similar tones, so I think its usually best to see which is just the right shade for your taste. Im ABOUT to do my floors. (Note: Many dark floors look darker in the pictures vs real life.). I am looking to replace my carpet in all the bedrooms with hardwood floors. Jacobean and dark walnut show the dirt a bit less than ebony. If you compare the oak stained with Weathered Oak to that just rubbed with walrus oil (pretty close to raw wood look), you can see that weathered oak slightly deepens the color of the wood and increases the contrast between the lightest and darkest parts of the wood grain. I have hickory engineered floors that I am re finishing. Hi. Robin I think its fine to switch color by level. This generally works best on oak or hickory floors, as they have a stronger grain. We currently have the same in our dining room and kitchen but we want to change those two rooms to match and do them all at the same time as the others. Hello! Nikala The darker you go, the more it will hide the red/orange tones. But, I think they dark will look more modern. thanks! Birch, its understated, casually sophisticated, rustic yet modern. Would you recommend doing them in the provincial stain? Thanks for the suggestions! Or, it could be that you have a non standard wood. Now that you know the best stains on oak wood, time to get to work! A stronger, more intense white color lends itself to a more modern, streamlined interior dcor. Are you painting or doing the floors? So for now, since its your new home and you will be there a while, I would get what you love. See why here: Mixwax vs Duraseal. Note: The type of polyurethane you use (i.e. You may need to replace some of the pieces of wood and weave in to even it out (and refinish again). Golden Oak, fruitwood and ipswich pine are also a nice options just a tad darker and adds some gold tones for more depth. Our condo gets a lot of light from a western exposure. I cant give you guidance as every floor and every stain is different. Graining shows less when you are very dark or very light (i.e. Red tones are more polarizing and less popular than the brown tones, regardless of whether the stain is light or dark. you could try provincial, special walnut or even antique brown. What other kind of wood flooring looks good finished White? We have white oak floors in a beach house that gets tons of natural light. Nordic Seal is a sealer, which has much less pigment than a stain. Nicole Yes, it will darken and amberize over time and be more similar. thanks. While we usually work with cheaper woods, when we are trying to make something really nice, we love using oak. That is the lightest you can go (unless you add white wash). Right now they are stuck in the 90s. We recently updated our kitchen with shaker cabinets in dark cherry and light gray walls. White Oak Floors:Lengths, Widths, and The Issues With Wide Plank, White Oak Flooring Stains: Choosing Beautiful, On Trend Stains, How To Keep White Oak Flooring From Yellowing, our mini home tour featured over on Serena and Lily, Select: uniform in color, very few knots, longer, the least amount of character markings, more uniform length boards, #1 Common: somevariation in light and dark colors, knots, holes, and more variation in the length, #2 Common: rustic, called builders grade, lots of characterwith a variety of color from board to board, prominent, larger-sized knots, plenty of worm holes, and includes some shorter boards. However after mulling over the samples more it seems very dull and almost some pinkish tones that I dont like. Note that gray stained floors work better on white oak than red oak (and even better on maple. We want to have them re-stained in white or gray, but the floor guy told us we could not do that because the yellow color would show up between the boards and we would be able to see light yellow lines in our floors bc the lighter gray/white stain wouldnt cover the honey color. I might actually go for natural with Bona Traffic, especially given your location. I suppose it has a bit of warmth, and its certain not cool cool like ebony is. Any reason now that you wish you would have gone darker? Think of rope accents, Shiplap walls, woven or sisal area rugs & white/wooden furniture combined with white-washed White Oak, its a oceanside dcor dream, like in this Mattituck beachside beauty pictured below: In the gallery below, Character Grade White Oak that we installed & finished in Remsenburg, NY with Bona White stain was the perfect choice for the superb transitional style on display. Love all your comments! This is basically when you have a main color (generally a darker color) and then you wire-brush the floors to pull out the grain, and then you add a second color (most often a white) so it creates a glaze and contrast on the grains. But of course does not stay with the overall traditional look of the brownstone! Will the prefinished darker brown stain prevent/hide the yellowing, or should I expect that it will still show through over time? Thats why so many are unhappy with that as well as their premade grays. Check out Duraseals new gray blend line here. I am refinishing white oak hardwood floors. Popular red tones include red mahogany, sedona red, mesquite red and red oak. I like dark walnut but am afraid its too cool on my white oak floors) I want to know your thoughts on finish.satin or matte. It may, however be a bit too thin/watery, but definitely test it. All photos in carousel above are of 1 coat Bona White stain on Select Grade White Oak. My favorite wood is natural finished walnut and walnut with french bleed. My hardwood guy says there is no stain on my white oak but its very yellow/orange and i dont see how a clear coat will match what I have now. With each successive coat of White stain, the more pronounced the White color will be. I would test these two + dark walnut to see what you think on your floors (they come out different on everyones floors. Many who prefer dark flooring are going for a more opaque look one that shows less graining. Hi! Most frequently, with Red Oak, to go light or white with the color, bleaching is a necessary prerequisite. They also tend to hide some of the imperfections if the wood is older. Please remember that all wood is unique & different, even among the same species of wood. (its the yellow that makes the floors look dated. oil vs water polyurethane) can have a big impact on the color, especially for very light floor. I am just afraid if the floor is too dark and cool it wont blend with all the other woods. Regarding doing a different color/poly, I would do one that youre actually happy with. Antique brown will is darker/browner and red should not be a concern. I would NEVER recommend using paint of any sort for this. I ordered unfinished European oak wide plank (9.5) from ADM flooring design. If its too cool, then mix in a bit of red or a different stain or look test jacobean which has some red undertones and is warmer. Subscribe to get our latest content by email. Even the floor guys were raving about the floors. If you use Bona Traffic HD, you will avoid the yellow and be on trend, it will be hold up best to sand and show it the least. Here are 2 articles that may help. Its just $2.99. In your many trials / tribulations with wood, do you have any suggestions? This Trend Seems to See No End! DOWNLOAD YOUR FLOOR TIMELINE HERE! Usually, when you have a professional do the sanding, this is not an issue. Mary True black actually looks blackor pretty close to it. In addition, over the last two years, a new trend has emerged and an old one has been reinvented. Read my full review + details on Classic Gray wood stain. White washed White Oak floors in Water Mill, NY provide the perfect anchor for this high end transitional decor. There is a trade off between practicality and style and the key is to test and see what you actually prefer. We wont send you spam. ???? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This stain color is what I would consider a medium tone neither super light nor super dark but still transparent enough to really work well on oak! Yes, you read that right! There is a reason that this type of wood has been so popular for hardwood floors, cabinets, and furniture across decades of time. also, you could consider going a stain or two darker if you like that better. Thanks so much for your help! I dont think the gray is going to help (although I may be wrong), especially if you are using a premixed stain from minwax (as its very watery). The floor is white oak with a medium brownish stain; it runs throughout the first floor and needs to be refinished. The current floors were done about 9 -10 years ago. We often use Bona white. Thanks!!! Even after applying stain. And, it may complicate things as you may need to switch polyurethanes (and do a more expensive one). Recommended cleaning products and accessories to maintain floors and reduce scratches, Which are the best brands of polyurethane, Ebook Discover the 6 Secrets to Refinishing Hardwood floors, https://theflooringgirl.com/hardwood-flooring/minwax-vs-duraseal-stain-better-hardwood-floors.html, https://theflooringgirl.com/hardwood-flooring/which-are-the-best-polyurethane-brands-for-floors-which-do-i-recommend.html, California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Policy. Expect to pay 2 to 3 times the amount you would for a standard job. You can see white oak stains in action here. My question is should both 1st floor and garden level floors have the same color stain. I totally forgot to take pictures of the floor so this is the best picture I have of it This picture is supposed to be of the archway which was getting framed. No other polyurethanes are good for this. Jamie This doesnt sound right (although I havent seen your floors). What stain color works best with Beige walls and white base board, vaulted off white ceilings? The trend seems to be driven in part by the gray trend and in part by high end beach resorts in the Hamptons and now the Jersey Shore. If you have red oak, Id probably reconsider (as it will turn out pinkish and you may need to spend extra on bleaching the floors). It could be due to the way the picture was taken or how it looks on your screen. So, for example, dark walnut is better than jacobean (which has some red undertones). So, I will refinishbut so torn between going with the light (Bona Nordic or Loba, like you did) or a dark color, like the driftwood, aged pewter, or ebony. Please help. Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter | YouTube. Also there is overlap of stain colors between Duraseal and Minwax. Gray is a bit challenging to achieve and more expensive than typical colors as you need to blend 2 colors and use a water based poly (otherwise it will yellow). I prefer traditional rustic decor throughout my house-so the chestnut although orange/red works with it. Use the search bar below to find what you are looking for! We want it to be a little darker than the current floor but I dont remember the name but it is lighter. But, I will tell you that sometimes when its mixed with white, it looks a bit bluish or a dark gray bluish. I want something on the lighter side but I like the grays. If I was going with a dark color, this would be it. Ill skip the paint and try the stain instead Any thoughts about using the stains you recommended in white on hickory floors, or do you think a different species would work better? Did you wipe with a dry rag after? You can read more about gray hardwood floors here Refinishing hardwood floors gray. Others, prefer a bit lighter as it is easier to clean and maintain. Considering purchasing a new maple engineered floor (Bella Cera verona) that is pre-finished with a darker brown/khaki colored stain (pisa). Or is it best to use a difference species? heavy traffic rooms such as kitchen or entry area, it will be harder to match. Any suggestions on how we can even out the stain so that the lighter area doesnt show as much. Also, you MUST use a conditioner w/ pine before you apply the stain. The knowledge I gained from houzz.com helped me a lot during my home renovations! Think clean lines, metal railings, open stairs, black & white accents. Are you about to sand your floors? Read my full review + details on Dark Walnut wood stain! To intensify the White tone, we most frequently use Bona White stain because we feel it is the brightest white color of all hardwood flooring stains. WAIT! My biggest problem with staining oak is that it is gorgeous to begin with! If you cant afford to redo the other floors, do them in a few years when you can afford it/when its convenient. I honestly love the natural rich color of oak wood and dont like to cover it up with a dark stain. If you like dark, but dont like in kitchen, you could try to contrast there and do a white wash or natural w/ bona Traffic. White floors lighten a space, and impart a beachy or a contemporary vibe. Then, there are red/brown blends such as English Chestnut. I seem to get a lot of questions on this, especially as many contractors dont have much experience with it. I wasnt there when they did the sample stains. My general contractor and I get along really well but hell be the first to tell you that I am NOT an easy customer to deal with. Oil based poly will be a bit darker and more amber. Also, use Duraseal for the stain, not minwax. I recommend them as they are good products. Will show too much sand. No. Here are the wood stains that we tested on oak wood: Weathered Oak by Minwax is my favorite light stain to use on oak wood. What are your thoughts? Yes, walnut is a very soft wood and probably not a good choice for a very heavy traffic area. This are mixtures of grays and browns and beiges. Weve had them sanded and they are gorgeous. You may also want to look into UV protection for your windows. Light colors are very cheery as well as neutral. Just annoyed that they arent more brown.. Jo Your floors probably turned orange because they used an oil based poly which yellows and amberizes over timeand chestnut isnt a very dark stain so the orange shows through. 2 coats White stain on unbleached Red Oak makes for a more intense white color. Hello! Lena You should probably either go very dark (e.g. Work picked up and it was hard enough juggling that while simultaneously following up on the house, making micro decisions on a daily basis, let alone blog about it. Is this true or are they selling me something? So whats the big fuss over white floors? Do you think that would be ok? I dont mind if the color eventually pulls grey. The wood arrived and really looks beautiful, and I wish I could retain its unstained color, but as soon as we add a clear water based Poly coat, it goes much too yellow/dark. Avoid these common pitfalls that can impact your floors durability! Above Photos All Display Red Oak flooring with bleach & 1 coat of Bona White stain. Some things to be aware of: bleaching is a hazardous chemical and produces a chemical reaction with the wood. Are you about to sand your floors? Get alerts of our latest projects and special peeks behind the scenes! So, if you want extremely dark, give this color a try. Should I have someone mix stain to soften the grain? Also, I want to extend the wood flooring into the connecting rooms (that are now carpet). Nordic Seal will help to tone down Reds (2 coats, even better), but Red Oak will NEVER look like White Oak. Do I have to do a conventional white wash w milk paint or lyme to get the look? You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page. But, by that time, it will be time to refinish the floors anyway. He said even after sanding, the honey color would still be down in the cracks between boards. My dilemma is what stain to go with. Red tones are more challenging to decorate with as they are more challenging to match other wood furniture, as well as paint, window treatments and pillows. All that aside, in 10 years, it will be time to refinish your floors anyway, so you can always change/update the color then if thats your major concern. Royal Mahogany has a bit of red cut in. Putting a White stain on un-bleached Red Oak can also be very nice, though the floors will be certainly a bit warmer in tone than a Red Oak floor that has been bleached. https://theflooringgirl.com/hardwood-flooring/minwax-vs-duraseal-stain-better-hardwood-floors.html Duraseal is better and the stains come out darker so it may blend the graining in more. The picture below is more indicative of what provincial typically looks like. Here on Long Island, its true, we execute White on White over and over again, because of its easy, breezy, beachy look. natural with Bona Traffic water borne poly). With a white stain on unbleached Red Oak, the house can look contemporary, and still be incredibly inviting. If you want to avoid pink/yellow, Id go more brown. Cathy I hear you on the glossy and orange yellow. Was it local to you? Is there a light to medium color stain that could help accomplish this? 1 coat of Bona White stain lightens the wood and presents a soft White color. Check out these projects below, all bleached Pine (varying species) with 1 coat Bona White stain! If that isnt dark enough, you could try mixing in some True Black. Often people do different so they dont have this option. In general, the darker you go with the stain, the less graining you see, so you may want to mix in ebony. When Red Oak is bleached, the nearly-White canvas that is the result is much lighter than the natural brown color of White Oak. I wrote a post about how the birch stain came out which is to say, terribly! So, I dont know what you mean by walnut dark walnut or special walnut or the species. I love the wide plank look possibly European Oak or Hickory but am struggling with the color. After 3 years my floors are looking orange. We live in a 1st floor and garden level traditional brownstone in Boston. The 1st floor oak flooring has English chestnut stain throughout kitchen, living room, dining room and smaller bed room. Will it look ok to have 21/4 in rest of house and 5 in or 4 in kitchen dining? Not sure how long to wait before using them? (Marble white/gray flooring) If so.what was the stain color and name of tile? I totally agree with you. Its the perfect choice for a summer house, or a beachy style. 1 coat Bona White looks Dreamy on this newly installed Select White Oak in Commack. But, if you have regular solid wood, like the solid wood you see in most homes, then you are fine. Need help keeping track of your stain and paint colors? Has anyone found a wood looking tile to match stained white oak. Our clients love the light tan, creamy beige tones of White Oak, and so they choose this species over and over again. Click here for my best tips on how to seal stained wood! So use Duraseal instead (same manufacture as minwax and a lot of shared colors). This is my first choice vacuum for hardwood floors, the best steam mop for tile floors and best hardwood floor cleaner. Want to see the floor cleaning products I recommend? Project locations are Bayville, Floral Park, and Lloyd Harbor, NY. Yes, gray is the new hot color. Search stuff like: Ceiling Projects | DIY Plant Stands | Thrift Flips. Yes, it will turn yellow and it will not look normal at all. Its been very popular in tile and carpet for years and its now been making its way into hardwood for the last 3 or 4 years. Top row of photos above taken in a lovely summer home in Water Mill, NY. Check out a TON of wood stains sampled onto red oak and see my favorites! Love your blog. But, either stain should look good with your walls. Lighter, especially natural tends to hold up better/last longer and show less dirt. Unfortunately, I am stuck with the mahogny furniture as my husband will not part with it. You can never match exactly no matter what you do as wood is a natural product and it changes color over time. If so, it could be that you didnt sand properly. The original floors might have been salvageable, if not for the gapping. I love your post! However, applying a sealant will make the underlying wood more durable and easier to clean. We are remodeling garden level. Whatever you do, I would stay away from reds and red undertones. I originally envisioned dark-stained floors because, well, everyone I know has dark-stained floors and I always loved that look. Jacobean is very similar, so its good to test that stain, too. Don't miss out on future blog posts, giveaways, and reviews! It settles really nicely into the lines of grain, making them extra dark. Pine has a very yellow base tone that improves greatly with bleaching, so if the plan is to go White with Pine, you should plan to bleach it first before applying the white stain. Id try to avoid minwax stains or premade whites such as country white as it is very thin/liquidity and allows the pinks and yellows to shine through. Please note that these are products I know/use and recommend to my customers. Valenti Flooring, 344 Portion Road, Suite 202, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779. Matt Oh yes, with a dark brown stain, you are fine! Check out this Northport project on Instagram, also White on White Oak. Any suggestions? (My original article was from 2011 and yes, styles and trends evolve). White floors are chic, clean, and bright. At NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU, I will earn a small commission, if you purchase them. This is a dark stain but if you are looking for a deep, rich color, this is a really great option. Light floors make both of these homes appear brighter and more open! Dark Walnut is similar to Ebony and Jacobean, but it a bit lighter, which some customers prefer. Do you know why that would be? This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Also, if you need to refinish one area before others (e.g. Another question I get frequently is: Does using Nordic Seal make Red Oak look like White Oak? He says Im very detail-oriented, which is just a nice way of saying neurotic-perfectionist. I wish I could help you but your question is really outside of my expertise! How long does it take to sand and refinish hardwood floors? Id try dark walnut as well as 50/50 blend of ebony/dark walnut and maybe 50/50 ebony/jacobean. Any help is super appreciated!! can we see a picture of the finished floor w the birch stain please? I would like to stay lighter as our home is in the country and we have 3 young children tracking in dirt often. Also, the color comes out different on different woods. How about a good before and after to see transition from Dark to Light? The most coats of White stain we have ever done on a floor was 3, though this is not for an amateur to attempt because the stain can start to look cloudy!