The Stain Color That You Choose For Your Wood Floor Will Impact The Look Of Your Entire Home
Decorating your home can be a really fun experience. While watching shows on HGTV people can get all kinds of ideas on how they want to style their home. One of the best ways to add a little style to your house is by adding a stain to your wood flooring. There are a large variety of colors to choose for your hardwood flooring when you decide to stain. There are some things that you should probably consider when choosing a stain for a wood floor. It’s hard to change a stain once you complete the whole process, so it is best to be 100% sure that this is the stain for you.
1. What Kind of Wood Are You Staining?
When you’re staining your wood floor, it is important to consider what type of wood your flooring is made out of. Different types of wood absorb stain differently. Oak floors are the easiest type of wood to stain because it absorbs the stain quickly. However, if your choice is flooring that is more exotic it’ll have a harder time absorbing the stain and the color might not turn out the way you want it to. Our best advice is to consult a professional before you stain your floor. They’ll be able to tell you what the best staining method is for your flooring type.
2. What Impact Will the Grad of your Hardwood Flooring Have On Your Floor Stain?
When you select your floor you will have a decision to make; will you choose a Select floor, with very little contrast? Or will your choice be a #2 Common floor, with lots of short boards and color variation? Maybe a One Common floor that falls between the two extremes? Whatever grade that you choose, your wood stain will have an effect on it. Dark stains will almost eliminate any color contrast between boards, so if you chose a low-grade of Hickory hardwood floor because of the rustic look, you should choose a lighter color of stain. A Select Maple floor will be almost devoid of contrast. That will allow you to pick a wood floor stain color based solely on what you need to match other furnishings or cabinets.
3. What Type Of Overall Design Are You Choosing?
Staining a floor change the whole color and really the overall design of the floor. That’s why it’s important to look at the overall design you’re going for with the room. A lighter stain will be a good contrast for a room that has dark walls. If you’re going for a traditional design, then a medium stain lends itself to that design. Dark stains are often seen in rooms that are trying to achieve a modern design. You should decide on the design you’re going for and from there narrow down your options for what floor stain would work best. Don’t forget that you get to control the design, so don’t be afraid to customize your home the way you want it to look.
4. What do the Furnishings Look Like?
Before the staining process, you’ll probably already know what furnishings you are placing in the room. The furniture should pair well with whatever stain you decide on. The best way to make this happen is to examine the furniture and see what stain would work best. Most of the time you can get a color sample of the stain, so you can hold it up to the furniture to visual what it’ll look like. Dark stains works really well with lighter furniture. If you create a color contrast in the room, then it’ll also create a much more interesting design.
One Wood Floor Stain Tip
The stains that you choose to use on your hardwood floor will be impacted by the finish that you use. After the sanding is done and the stain is applied, your floor guy will apply 2-3 coats of finish. This can be an oil based finish or water based, but be aware that an oil-based polyurethane will darken your floor. Expect a warmer tint as a result of the oil based poly, while a water based one will reflect a truer colour. Consider using Bona Traffic for a great water-based finish that also has aluminum oxide to help your floor avoid scratches and abrasive wear.
Whatever Choice You Decide On, Enjoy Your New Floors
These are all things to consider when choosing a stain for hardwood floors. You’ll also want to factor in what your budget looks like. One way to help cut costs is by investing in affordable flooring. At ReallyCheapFloors.com we offer quality flooring for affordable prices. Browse our selection of prefinishing hardwood flooring and find the design you think works best for your home.
