Should I stain hardwood floors?

Author: Trace Beahan  |  Last update: Friday, July 1, 2022

Hardwood floors should be refinished if there are multiple blemishes, if there are planks bending upwards, or if the flooring is starting to age. Staining is a great option when you have unfinished wood or would like to change the look of newer wood. Staining still needs a sander to get rid of that top coat, however.

Is it necessary to stain hardwood floors?

The short answer is, no. You do not have to finish your hardwood floor. Most hardwood floors are stained some color that enriches and deepens the natural color of the wood. They're then finished with a polyurethane or a varnish on the surface.

What happens if you don't refinish hardwood floors?

If a protective hardwood finish wears off, your floors can become susceptible to water damage. If water soaks into the wood immediately rather than resting on top, it's likely time for a refinish.

Should I stain oak floor?

If this is not the look you're going for, or you want to completely transform how they look, then staining is a great option. Luckily, oak floors are perfect candidates for being stained and take stain application extremely well when the proper techniques are used.

What kind of stain do you use on hardwood floors?

Water-Based Polyurethane is a fast drying hardwood flooring finish that shows brush strokes and applicator marks. Flooring professionals prefer this type of finish. The finish is lustrous and provides the traditional hardwood floor finish that many desire.

How to Stain a Wooden Floor (pro method for DIY)

Is Minwax a good floor stain?

Minwax® Ultimate Floor Finish is a technologically advanced, durable topcoat for floors that provides exceptional levels of floor durability in a crystal clear finish. Self-crosslinking technology provides a tough floor finish that is great for any hardwood floor.

Should I stain my floors dark or light?

Because lighter makes your space look larger, natural can be a great option for smaller homes and condos/co-ops and town houses, especially those with less light. On the other hand, if your floors have a lot of imperfections or stains, a darker stain may make your floors look better.

Can hardwood floors be stained a different color?

When you refinish your floors, you can change the color of your flooring. Most hardwood floors can be made darker, lighter, redder, or anywhere in between. If your flooring is solid hardwood, it can be sanded and refinished in a different stain for a different appearance.

Should you stain your floor?

Hardwood floors should be refinished if there are multiple blemishes, if there are planks bending upwards, or if the flooring is starting to age. Staining is a great option when you have unfinished wood or would like to change the look of newer wood. Staining still needs a sander to get rid of that top coat, however.

Do I have to sand my hardwood floors before staining?

When you want to stain or change the color of your hardwood floors, you MUST fully sand and refinish the floors. If you don't sand the floors first, the stain won't properly penetrate the hardwood nor will the polyurethane properly adhere. This is the ONLY way to change the color of your hardwood floors.

Can I stay in my house while floors are refinished?

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 ...

Is it worth refinishing my hardwood floors?

In most scenarios, refinishing rather than replacing your hardwood floor is the ideal outcome. While refinishing hardwood can be a long and tedious process, it is much more cost-effective than a total replacement. During the refinishing process, all furniture will have to be removed from the room.

How do I know if I need to refinish my hardwood floors?

Big scratches and dents, gray floorboards and splinters are all signs that your hardwood floors need refinishing.
...
  1. Major scratches and dents. ...
  2. Cupping. ...
  3. Splinters. ...
  4. Gray floorboards. ...
  5. Water stains. ...
  6. Fading and discoloration.

Can you leave floorboards untreated?

To safely walk on unfinished hardwood floors, you must ensure they are adequately sanded during installation. Once smooth, a raw wood floor should be no problem for bare feet. It is important to note that raw floors must be maintained in ways slightly different from a finished wood floor.

Can you leave wood floors unfinished?

Unfinished wood flooring is a popular choice with certain people who prefer to retain wood in its completely natural state. But when it comes to maintenance, the absence of the likes of a lacquer or an oil finish does mean that you need to be more respectful of your floor than you might otherwise need to be.

Can you stain a hardwood floor GREY?

Please note that refinishing hardwood floors gray is challenging and should be handled by an expert, especially one with experience in gray and white washed floors. First, the sanding must be immaculate. Stain should be consistent and applied in strips to avoid any cross-grain color-variant lines.

Can I stain my hardwood floors darker?

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.

How much does it cost to stain hardwood floors?

Staining hardwood floors costs between $1 and $3 per square foot. Prices can vary due to the quality and type of stain and the price of labor in your area. Low-end stains average $30 per gallon, and high-end ones can go for $100 per gallon.

What finish is best for hardwood floors?

What is the Best Finish for Hardwood Floors? Polyurethane is the most popular finish for floors. It's tough enough to handle constant traffic and is resistant to almost everything. There are two types of polyurethane finish: oil-based (solvent borne) and water-based (waterborne).

Can you stain hardwood floors darker without sanding?

Minwax® PolyShades® is an easy way to change the color of your currently stained or polyurethane finished wood. There's no stripping or heavy sanding necessary to remove the old finish!

What are the most popular wood floor colors?

Most Popular Hardwood Floor Colors
  • Classic Pine. ...
  • Cherry Toned. ...
  • Moody Grays. ...
  • Multi-Color Character. ...
  • Subtle Stripes. ...
  • Flat Light Gray. ...
  • Two-Tone. ...
  • Bold and Red. Woods of all kinds take stain colors well, allowing you to get a multitude of different looks for your flooring.

Do oak floors darken 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.

What color hardwood floor is timeless?

A choice of timeless hardwood floor colors

Brown Maple floors have hues of rich gold, amber and brown. Cherry floors feature a burnished auburn color that will darken over time. Hickory offers hues from lighter blonde sapwood to cocoa brown and beige heartwood. Red Oak comes in deep, salmon tones.

Will light floors go out of style?

Both light colors and wider planks have been the hardwood styles of choice with designers and architects for years, however 2020 forecasters predict that this will be THE hot look in flooring for consumers.

Are dark floors going out of style?

Dark brown hardwood floors in particular never seem to go out of fashion, they are always trendy and still in style. There's something about the contrast between dark wood floors and bright, light walls, white kitchen cabinets, furnishing etc. that epitomize a sophisticated and upmarket style.

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