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.
Oak flooring is naturally light in colour with golden, honey tones. Although oak will mellow and darken a little over time, it takes hundreds of years to develop the rich dark patina of aged oak. If you have existing dark oak furniture or more traditional décor, you may prefer a dark oak floor to match.
Oak will also change colour because it will have started the seasoning process – this is where the oak starts to dry out. Eventually, your green oak could then be classed as seasoned oak. It is possible to guess how old a beam is from the colour, after about 10 years it is black.
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.
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 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. When it comes to oak furniture, most people wont even realize the change is happening, as the color change is fairly subt.
What is the most timeless wood floor (or wood-look option)? If you've been following my work, you'll know that I often say that pale natural (oak or maple) or medium neutral brown (like oak or hickory) are the most timeless colour options for wood or wood-look floors.
White oak experiences very little color change over time—its golden tones only grow slightly richer.
Classic medium-toned browns such as cherrywood, mahogany, oak, maple, walnut, birch wood, and hickory are all timeless colors that never go out of style. Cherrywood is a deep, rich color that has a deep mahogany shade with warm tones of red or brown, often mixed with hints of pink and even purple.
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.
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.
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.
Wet the wood with water and let it dry before applying the stain to raise the grain and create a rougher surface for more colorant to lodge. You could shorten the procedure to one step by using a water-based stain. It will raise the grain, and the coloring will be darker when you wipe off the excess.
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.
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."
Aged Oak A modern twist on your traditional oak, Aged Oak is an updated version of your parents' standard. This color adds warmth to the space without skipping out on style. Warmer than most grays, Aged Oak pulls more brown than black. Use it on floors, doors, wood work, and accent pieces.
Unlike cherry, maple, and oak (which all darken in color as they age), walnut wood will actually lighten slightly over time.
#4: Light Neutral Colors
Another top flooring trend in 2023? Light and neutral flooring. Modern grey wood flooring continues to be popular, as are light floor colors like blonde and beige. A great way to add these lighter flooring shades to your home or business is to use bamboo flooring.
If you're looking for cool shades for your hardwood floors in 2023, look no further! Light tans, and browns with hints of grey or white will be popular as well as whitewashed finishes. Meanwhile, yellow-toned shades are moving out of favor.
Light Oak is a soft, semi-transparent, versatile tan stain color that adds a refined Scandinavian-inspired look, while still allowing the wood's natural characteristics to shine through. Light Oak can revive outdoor decks, patios and pergolas, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living.
Keeping oak happy
Direct sunlight may fade the finish, and heat from radiators will dry your furniture out. It's a good idea to keep a gap of about 25mm between the wall and the back of your furniture. This lets air flow through, keeping the temperature stable and prolonging the life of your oak.