Hardwood Floor Makeover: Choosing the Right Stain & Finish Options
Sanding and refinishing your floors is like getting a facelift for your home. You see your floors in a whole new way – literally! But, let’s be honest, selecting the perfect stain and finish can be overwhelming. With so many options in the market, how can you make an informed decision and one that you won’t regret when that new color and finish is finally revealed?
At Flooring Solutions, we’ve experienced times when the stain and finish our clients selected wasn’t what they thought or expected. That was an ” Ah-ha ” moment for us to simplify this process. And part of that new process was walking our clients through exactly how to select your wood style, color, and finish. With this understanding, our clients felt empowered to make decisions!
In this article, we want to give you a glimpse into what this process looks like and what your options are as a homeowner. Hopefully, it will empower you to select what is best for your home confidently!
Choosing Your Width & Style of Wood
The width and color of the wood are two critical factors that can influence the stain and finish you choose. Lately, wider boards are trending and becoming even more popular with the increase of homeowners sharing their home decor style online. Width and wood style are very personal decisions, as it’s your home that you want to love and feel confident in. But it’s also fun to hear what is trending and popular.
There has been an increase in demand for cooler tones that give off a more natural and muted/neutral look. Achieving that is definitely possible, but important to know what kind of wood will achieve it the easiest and what the most common styles are.
1. White Oak:
One of the key advantages of using White Oak is it can be customized to any color. You have the freedom to bring your unique vision to life by customizing the color and finish of your floors. Whether you want a timeless and classic look or a contemporary and bold statement, White Oak provides the versatility and customization options to fulfill your design aspirations.
2. Red Oak:
When it comes to hardwood flooring options, Red Oak is a popular choice known for its durability and warm, inviting tones. However, if your goal is to brighten up a room and create a more airy and light-filled atmosphere, it’s important to consider the color characteristics of Red Oak and the desired effect you wish to achieve.
Other Wood Options
If you’re looking for a practical installation, engineered unfinished hardwood is an excellent choice. With its thick wear layer, it can withstand heavy foot traffic and can be glued down straight to the subfloor. You can potentially sand it once to restore it to its original state. Not all unfinished engineered hardwood can be sanded down, however you do get to choose your specific stain color. Talk about durability and convenience!