Are you thinking of restoring your old hardwood floors? Well, who doesn’t want fresh and clean floors – right?
Homeowners often have asked questions such as, “Can I stain my hardwood floors?”, “Which stain is suitable for my hardwood floors?”.
If you ever see yourself wondering– we’re here to shed light on everything you need to know about staining your hardwood floors at home.
Keep in mind that not all stains are created equal. Once a particular stain sets, you may only change its hue through re-sanding or restaining. We strongly encourage hiring the right contractor that specializes in hardwood floor refinishing. Doing so ensures your beloved floors receive the best care– and nothing less.
5 Things to Consider in Staining Hardwood Floors
Fortunately, restaining or refinishing hardwood floors is an excellent way to maintain your investment in prime condition.
Hardwood floors not only improve your home’s interior– but also boosts the resale value of the property. That said, here are a couple of crucial factors to keep in mind before you have your hardwood floors restored.
1. Wood Species Matter
Remember, different hardwood flooring species tend to absorb stains in various ways. Keep this in mind before you choose a particular stain color. Red or white oak floors, for instance, tend to be the perfect candidates for staining. These materials are known to absorb stains well, given proper techniques.
In contrast, exotic wood species such as cherry, maple, mahogany, or walnut will prove to be more challenging to stain. These wood types have tighter grains and smaller pores.
Often, flooring professionals may even discourage you from staining them. There’s a great chance you won’t be satisfied with the result. It may be best to enjoy their natural beauty in its unstained state.
Pro Tip: Choose local installers who can provide you with sample stains. Doing so allows you to see for yourself how the stain color will look on your hardwood floors.
2. Consider Your Home’s Interior Decor
The stain color of your hardwood floors can either make or break your interior’s aesthetic. Hence, choosing the right stain for your home needs is essential. You may want to consider several factors: accent colors, furnishing, paint colors, and interior motif.
Homeowners who adore rustic style interiors can benefit from mid-brown shades. This hue won’t clash with your farm-style-themed furniture.
If you want a bold, sleek contemporary design that’s similar to lifestyle magazine features– you may be better off choosing various ebony, grey, or white shades. (Related: Step By Step: How To White Wash Wood Floors)
As there are dozens of stain colors available in the market today, selecting the right one for your home needs can be somewhat overwhelming. It’s why you need to test the stain colors (through samples) to avoid making costly, time-consuming mistakes.
Some manufacturers offer pre-treatment colors (hard wax oils) that can be layered on top or underneath a stain, giving you endless color palette possibilities.
3. Lighting may Influence the Appearance of a Stain Color
Keep in mind that the lighting in your home may influence the appearance of different stain colors. Opting for light-colored stains may effectively brighten a dark room, but it may also show more of the wood’s imperfections. Nonetheless, it’s a great choice if you want to contrast your dark decor and furnishings.
Meanwhile, darker floors give balance to a bright room. It serves as a better base for your room decor. While they conceal the wood’s imperfections, dust and scratches will be more visible.
Suppose you have furry pets or toddlers running around the home– you may want to stain your hardwood floors with a lighter color.
4. Be Mindful of any Previous History of Water or Pet Damage
If your hardwood floors dealt with previous water or pet-related damage, you might want to either:
Wooden floors with surface damage may be stained with a darker color. This is a relatively cost-effective way of solving the problem at hand without opting for a total floor replacement.
5. There are Plenty of Benefits in Staining Your Hardwood Floors
So, why should you consider staining your old wood floors at home? For one, it can enhance its color, depth, shine, and warmth given the correct choice of stain and application.
Here are some other advantages to consider:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What if I can’t decide between 2 or 3 colors?
Once you’ve narrowed your options to 2 to 3 colors, you are close to choosing the perfect hardwood floor stain. The next step involves a flooring professional providing you with larger samples. They may give you two options: one is to apply the stain samples on your floor directly, and two is to make large samples of portable panels for you.
What is Clear Coating?
Staining is not the only way for you to achieve the best look for your hardwood floors. You may opt for a clear coat finish to give you a natural and rustic look to bring out the innate pattern of the wood. The clear coating enhances the existing look of the hardwood, unlike staining, which adds pigments to it. The most noticeable advantage of clear coating is its great reflection of light which is exceptionally beneficial for rooms with many windows that may allow more light to pass. The light’s reflection can help add a feeling of size and depth to smaller spaces.
Final Thoughts
Staining your hardwood floors proves to be an essential decision for every homeowner. One, it will affect your home’s overall look. Two, you’re most likely to deal with the specific stain color for quite a while. And lastly, re-doing the stains after application will be costly and time-consuming on your end.
Word of caution: Many things can go wrong if the staining process isn’t done correctly. It’s why we strongly advise hiring a flooring specialist to handle the job.
When done accurately, you can effectively uplift the appearance of any living space as well as boost your property value!