Q: We have a dark bamboo floor. It shows too much dirt! It’s impossible to keep clean. Would an extra lacquer top coat help this? A: Dark wood floors do tend to reveal house dust, etc., more than lighter colored floors. Applying another coat of finish won’t change that. If you do apply another coat [...]
Choosing a Stain Color
Feb 062013
Q: My family room contains lots of oak (woodwork, windows, bookshelves, TV cabinet built in). It’s a beautiful medium color oak. I would like to replace the carpet with hardwood floors. I feel oak flooring might be too much for the room. Is there a rule about whether the floors should be a darker or [...]
May 202011
Q: I have bleached oak floors / white stained hardwood floors. Will I be able to have them sanded and stained a cherry color? A: You can change the stain colour but you need to be aware that it is usually impossible to remove every single trace of stain from some parts of heavy grain. [...]
Q: I’m getting ready to install some white pine flooring. I’m going to use Waterlox to finish it. I was wondering what stain combinations you have used. I’d like to get a light amber brown color. I’m thinking of using Early American or English Chestnut. Any thoughts? A: I’ve only used the Waterlox/Min Wax stain [...]
May 172011
Q: We are about to replace our carpeted area with hardwood. I fell in love with the 3/4 solid Santos Mahogany, but I am concerned that the color may clash with our existing nature wood trim throughout the house. The trim is between a wheat and pecan color. Would this be too much variation in [...]
Q: I was wondering if you could suggest what laminate wood/colour would go best with oak wood cabinets and shelves that have been stained with “Special Walnut” (by Minwax). Does it need to be a walnut coloured floor or is there a contrast colour to create a lighter look? (Btw, my wall paint is light, [...]
May 122011
I would like to stain my pre-stained oak floors a darker medium brown. Or should I just replace the floor?
I want to stain my hardwood floors darker than the natural color I have now. What are the risks in going darker? Will it show everything little speck of dust? The floors have never been stained, only waxed.
Jul 232009
We are now ready to change the stairs and rails. What is the best way to match the floor? What stain and varnish are the best for this very busy area, and what method should I use to apply the products?
Aug 012007
I’m torn between going dark or staying with a natural color on my parquet floors, 700 sq. ft. 1 bedroom apt. The apartment faces North and West so it gets good afternoon light, but I’m worried dark floors will make the rooms too dark? Dark floors would suit the wall colors. Any advice?
Going dark or staying with a natural color
August 1, 2007
Choosing a Stain Color, Staining Comments Off
Jul 182007
We are building a house and we’re trying to find a dark stain that will compliment our modern interior. We most likely will have a 4″ or 5″ Oak plank or a Walnut. I looked at the Ebony stain, but it seems to have a green tint. We also mixed Jacobean with the Ebony and it still shows a bit green. Can you recommend a deep, rich, dark brown stain color for us?
Jul 112007
I must decide on light or dark wood flooring. I love the look of the darker wood, but I have been told that scratches look blaring on darker wood. Is this true, and how do you maintain them?
I’m about to stain a redwood floor I have just prepped. I’d like a dark stain. Is there one you can recommend?
I’d like a dark stain. Is there one you can recommend?
April 22, 2007
Choosing a Stain Color Comments Off
Apr 072007
We have a brand new maple hardwood, factory stained a dark brown/reddish colour. Our stairs are also maple and stained by the home builder, chestnut brown. The 2 colours don’t match well and we want to find out how to find a better match and restain the stairs.
Apr 072007
I have natural cherry wood floors. Today I got them sanded and polyurethaned, and now the stairs that we’re previously done looks darker. They have never been stained and contractor says they used oil based poly w/ high gloss. Why doesn’t it match, and can it be fixed?
We are considering having our natural (no stain) red oak flooring (3/4″ thick) refinished with a dark stain and 3 coats of premium oil urethane. We have been told that a dark stain will show scratches (from the dog), and marks far more than the current natural floor does, and that we will always be touching up the scratches (if that’s even possible to do.) What is your experience with dark stained floors and wearing capabilities?
We have been told that a dark stain will show scratches
March 9, 2007
Choosing a Stain Color Comments Off
Mar 092007
I am refinishing my 45 year old oak floors. When I removed the carpet there were 3 dark stains. I figure it is pet urine. Sanding is finished, but the stains are still visible. If I apply a darker (perhaps cherry oak) stain, will it hide the urine stains or will they just get darker? Could I apply less stain to the spots to try to even it all out?
Stain and dark pet stains
March 9, 2007
Black Stains (a.k.a. Pet Stains), Choosing a Stain Color, Moisture Damage, Spills & Flooding Comments Off
Mar 052007
…color of stain should you use on white oak floors to make them dark? Such as an ebony color.
Feb 282007
We are looking at purchasing an engineered hardwood floor for our kitchen – maple / graphite dark grey. I was told by a someone that dark grey stains don’t wear as well as they don’t penetrate as deep as other “lighter” stains. Is this true?
Oct 242006
My husband and I are building a new house. We are putting hard wood floors in every room except the kitchen and bathrooms. We are putting in cherry color floors. Should I do the oak doors and all the molding in the same color?
