Do hardwood floors darken with age?

Author: Mr. Fausto Nienow DVM  |  Last update: Sunday, June 19, 2022

Yes, all hardwood floors will slightly change colour over periods of time, especially if they are in contact with direct sunlight. The most noticeable colour change will happen in the first few months after being installed.

Why is my wood floor turning darker?

A wood surface stain can come from water spillage such as coffee, pet urine, wine, etc., that turns into stubborn, ugly stains over time. In summary, exposing your wood floor to moisture and allowing mold to settle on them are the main reasons why your wood floor has dark stains on them.

Does oak flooring darken over time?

Oak. The light brown to darker tones of White Oak undergoes a medium degree of colour change with slight ambering over time.

Does oak wood get darker with age?

Why Does Oak Wood Change Colors Over Time? Oak wood may darken slightly over time, taking on more amber tones. This happens due to exposure to oxygen and UV light, making it a largely unavoidable process.

Do hardwood floors darken over time?

Yes, all hardwood floors will slightly change colour over periods of time, especially if they are in contact with direct sunlight. The most noticeable colour change will happen in the first few months after being installed.

How to Lighten Your Dark Hardwood Floors

Does maple wood darken with age?

Like cherry, maple will darken over time, though far less dramatically. Maple starts off very light and bright, with a few pink and grey tones. Over time, it will age to a warm golden honey color. Other light brown woods, like ash and white oak will slightly darken to a beige or amber color.

Do hardwood floors fade in sunlight?

Wood is a photosensitive material. Depending on which wood your floors are made of, sunlight can cause them to darken or fade. You may not notice the effects from one day to the next, but over time, direct light may even change the color of your floors.

Do engineered hardwood floors get darker over time?

The short answer is yes, your hardwood floors will darken over time. This is inevitable, although there are steps you can take to slow down this process.

Does maple flooring darken over time?

Yes, Maple wood will darken over time. The very bright and light color of maple wood will slowly turn into dark color over the years. It turns into a deep golden honey color tone above its original bright white with reddish-brown hues with exposure to sunlight and oxygen.

Why does my floor make my feet black?

Because of laminate's nature, the flooring can collect dirt that sticks to the surface. This can lead to laminate floors turning feet black. This is particularly true in rooms where there are lots of outdoor shoes moving in and out and over the floors, leaving behind debris.

Why did my wood turn black?

Wood that's exposed to the sun's UV rays over an extended period of time will darken and even turn gray. This weathering happens because the sun causes chemical changes to the tannins in the wood, kind of like oxidation.

What does it mean when wood turns black?

Iron oxide stains in wood are usually dark spots caused by prolonged exposure to water and / or metal. The iron oxide reacts with the tannins in the wood and stains it black. Wood can intentionally be stained black in the same way, and that's called Ebonizing.

Do red oak floors darken over time?

Usually just called “red oak,” this domestic hardwood tends to be warm and on the lighter side. Like its name, it often has pink or red undertones. As it ages, it darkens to golden brown or even amber in color.

Is maple flooring harder than oak?

Maple is among the harder wood species, with a 1450 rating on the Janka wood hardness chart. As one of the densest wood species, Maple is ideal for high-traffic areas. Oak is slightly less hard – White Oak has a 1360 rating and Red Oak a 1290 rating.

Does engineered hardwood change color?

Will Engineered floor fade or change color? Yes, it can fade in heavy sunlight. However, choose a light-color engineered hardwood that won't fade as easily as the darker woods if you insist on the engineered hardwood.

Do floors look lighter or darker once installed?

Once the flooring has been installed, it opens up in the room and looks lighter than what was chosen. We recommend when you are choosing flooring from a sample, especially in a room with little to no furniture, choose something a shade darker than what you think you want to avoid it looking too light.

Why is wood floor lighter under rug?

Culprit #1: Rugs

A rug blocks the UV light from hitting the floor, which can cause uneven fading of the wood. Uneven discoloration of wood flooring is sometimes caused by a rug. Rugs block UV light, which causes uneven fading.

Do Brazilian walnuts darken?

Wood such as Brazilian walnut has a large range of color when freshly cut, but over time it will turn medium to dark brown.

Do hardwood floors yellow over time?

Over time, hardwood floors, especially those with a polyurethane finish, tend to become a shade of yellow which is not very desirable and diminishes its elegance. If your white oakwood floor is under direct sunlight, it will change color over time. This is most noticeable in the first few months post-installation.

How do you restore sun faded hardwood floors?

If you're only sanding the sun-faded sections of flooring, use a 120-grit sanding block. Sand the area until the finish and stain are removed. If you're having trouble getting it off, try medium-grit sandpaper and then use fine sandpaper to smooth it out. When you're done sanding, it's vital to vacuum up all the dust.

Does UV light darken wood?

Yes, Sunlight darken the wood. Wood is photosensitive and changes with sunlight. Exposure to the UV (ultraviolet light) in sunlight causes the darkening of the wood over time. Wooden furniture that is directly exposed to the sunlight change color quickly.

Is maple soft or hardwood?

Maple is a very popular hardwood for many things, including furniture. The grain is typically smooth and straight, giving finished pieces a simple, clean look. But you can also find other, more textured grains in tiger and curly maple.

Does stained wood get darker over time?

Due to exposure to oxygen, humidity, and sunlight, wood can lighten over time. Some kinds of wood that experience lightening over time are oak, walnut, birch, and red alder. The color change is not always drastic, but it is noticeable. Some woods can get darker over time, such as cherry, maple, and fir.

Does Red Oak yellow with age?

Red Oak undergoes a medium degree of color change over time, with a slight ambering of the pink/tan brown color you get when freshly milled.

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