The simple answer to this is yes, wood flooring will change colour over the years. Wood is a natural product and changes in colour will occur due to the wood's reaction to the environment. A dark wood such as walnut will lighten and a lighter wood species like oak, will darken.
The Sun's UV rays will turn the oak to a silvery hue over time. Clear products are inevitably not completely clear so they tend to 'bring out' the natural colours of the oak, normally making it a bit darker and warmer. The levels of rain, wind and sun will make a difference to how quickly the oak changes colour.
Oak. The light brown to darker tones of White Oak undergoes a medium degree of colour change with slight ambering 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.
Oak wood can turn a variety of different colors as it ages, but typically the wood will darken and become more rich in color over time. Some people might describe the color as a deep brown or even black, while others may say that it has a reddish hue.
There are two types of oak, white and red - white being, unsurprisingly, lighter and less warm-toned than red oak. How does oak age? Cindy says, "White oak will turn golden, whereas red oak has a more red tone in the beginning and over time becomes richer and warmer."
Oak floors which are exposed to natural light will slowly fade. In most cases, you probably won't even notice the change in your floor's colour as it will happen so gradually, but it can be noticeable when you move a piece of furniture which has been blocking the sun for a long time.
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.
It is not a sign of rot and is purely a natural change in colour. The change is a reaction between the UV rays of the sun reacting with a naturally present acid in the oak called 'Tannin Acid'. This reaction causes the oak to turn silver grey.
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.
The best woods for bleaching include oak, beach, ash, and gum. Varieties like poplar and pine are already so light that removing further natural wood color might render them bland and lifeless. Others, like cedar, redwood, rosewood, and cherry don't take bleach well.
A 2-part bleach solution removes most of the color, and it also can lighten the natural color of dark wood. Both types of bleach will work on either oil-based or water-based stain. You can buy wood bleach and oxalic acid from hardware or home improvement stores.
While I've had the best results using the two-part solution, it is difficult to find. If you find yourself with red wood after sanding, you can actually create your own two-part bleach. For this process, it is suggested to mix equal parts of lye with hydrogen peroxide and apply it to the wood.
The popular opinion indicates that oil-based polyurethane, Watco, Tung oil, and other oil-based varnishes contribute to the yellowing of white oak. Exposure to sunlight also speeds up the process in many cases. However, there are minor differences in specific brands regarding how they cause discolouration in woods.
By far the best finishes for high quality wood furniture are either Danish oil or beeswax. They bring out the stunning beauty of wooden furniture grains and leave wood satisfying to the touch.
Refresh with Wood Reviver Power Gel
The gel penetrates the wood deeply and removes the grey patina. Through subsequent re-oiling, the fresh warm wood colour is restored. To use, first wet the surface then apply the Wood Reviver Power Gel with a brush in the direction of the grain on to the greyed areas.
Scrubbing Method to Remove the Gray from Wood
Using a stiff scrub brush to really get into the problem areas of your wood, paying particular attention to sections that have water damage, mold, and mildew. Rinse off the cleaning solution using water.
The exact color of weathered oak will vary depending on how heavy the stain is applied. Generally speaking, it ranges from light brown to dark gray with subtle variations in texture and hue throughout.
If you want to keep your oak structure looking new, using Osmo UV-Protection Oil will protect against colour change. Applying two coats of clear oil will penetrate and protect the wood and delay the natural greying process up to 12 x more.
Let the steel wool soak in the apple cider vinegar for 24 hours. Use a paintbrush to brush the black tea onto the wood. Make sure you cover every part of the wood's surface that you want to darken. Let the wood and black tea sit for an hour.
Paul Fisette responds: The general rule is that the mechanical properties of wood show little change over time. In short, the aging of wood, unlike that of cheese, does not make it better. Nor does it improve its strength.
An untreated Oak beam, which is classed as 'durable', for example, will last 15-25 years depending on environmental conditions. The following scale of durability was outlined by TRADA, the Timber Research And Development Association.
Why does oak go black? Oak timber naturally contains Tannins. These are a natural chemical that provide the protective waterproof quality oak is famed for. Being acidic, they can react with iron and water to produce chemicals that stain the wood.
Exposure to the sun can cause fading, bleaching and darkening of the wood in your flooring. There are 3 types of light that can cause this. One is ultra violet (UV) light.