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.
Like all organic materials, wood changes color when exposed to the elements, including light. This is due to the process of oxidation, which simply cannot be prevented. Exposure to light is usually the biggest culprit causing discoloration in hardwood floors.
Time Frame
Away from sunlight, it takes six to eight months. Direct and indirect ultraviolet rays from the sun darken the wood. Some wood, such as cherry, reaches its darkest color two or three years after installation. Other hardwood flooring darkens more each year it ages.
These hardwood floors typically take between six months to two years to reach their mature colour depending on the specie of wood and the amount of natural or artificial light the flooring is exposed to. Some wood species become darker and some become lighter over time.
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. UV rays cause up to 60% of sunlight damage.
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.
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.
If your hardwood floors have been sanded and finished with Bona Mega Clear HD, it is safe to sleep in the home about 2-3 hours after the project is finished, but again, only if there are other rooms that have not been robbed of their furniture – furniture should stay off floors for at least 24 hours after ANY project ...
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.
The answer is usually YES! Many homeowners don't realize that you can change the color of hardwood flooring when you refinish your floors. Yes, it's true…you can go light or dark or red tones or anywhere in between. Most are pleasantly surprised it doesn't matter if you are going light to dark or vice versa.
So, if you've got wooden floors and want to change their appearance and you want to know how to lighten wood stain, fear not. Dark, stained wooden floors can be lightened to give your home an exciting new look rather than having a darker color within your home.
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.
Whitewashing hardwood floors costs $2 to $7 per square foot and requires sanding to remove the old finish and then applying a light wash and clear polyurethane topcoat instead of a darker stain.
Sand and Buff
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.
The cons of maple flooring
Discolours over time – As with any solid wood, with constant exposure to light it will yellow over time. If there is one specific part of the floor that will be exposed to direct sunlight from a window it will discolour faster than other parts of the floor leading to a two tone effect.
It is a terrible idea to sleep or stay in a house after staining floors. The stain fumes are often overwhelming and highly toxic. In addition, exposure to such a stinky smell for long periods of time can trigger severe breathing problems and other health issues to both humans and pets.
Wait 3 weeks before putting area rugs on newly refinished/finished hardwood floors. Wait 48 to 72 hours after the hardwood has been refinished/ finished before "PLACING" furniture back in its place. Keep a steady temperature and humidity within your home.
It takes a full 30 days for the floors to cure, so it's ideal to wait 30 days before putting area rugs on the surface. If you want to put area rugs back sooner, than 2 weeks is another good benchmark.
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.
White Oak. The light brown to darker tones of White Oak undergoes a medium degree of color change with slight ambering over time.
To tone down the warmth of wood flooring, choose a blue wall color that acts as a neutral and won't overwhelm the space. Ashley Banbury, senior color designer for Dutch Boy Paint, suggests Mapped Blue, a sophisticated shade that offers muted color in an otherwise neutral scheme.
Oil based polyurethanes turn the floors yellow…and over time, they become more yellow…and sometimes even a bit orangish. It's the UV rays from the sun that turn them a darker yellow or amber and the more they are exposed over time, the yellower they get.
White Oak has a history of "tannin pull" when a water based finish is used. That's why a sealant is HIGHLY recommended/required. It acts in two ways: It greatly reduces tannin pull (slight yellowing over time)
With dark hardwood floors, you'll enjoy: Long-lasting color: Its color makes dark hardwood prone to absorbing sunlight, while light hardwood reflects it. Over time, you'll find that your dark flooring results in less sun damage, retaining its dark sheen for longer.