Infrared light, combined with UV light and visible light, reacts with the finish and slowly turns the finish darker or yellowish. That's why over a long period of time certain types of hardwood floors with oil based polyurethane finish turn that orangey/yellow color that no-one likes.
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.
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)
Basically, take a cotton rag, take hydrogen peroxide, soak it down well, put it over the stain, and allow the hydrogen peroxide to pull a lot of that stain out.
Can You Lighten Red Oak Furniture? Yes. No matter what your red oak wood is used to build, bleaching it with a hydrogen peroxide and lye solution will strip the color. It doesn't matter if the wood is used for furniture, beams, shelves or floors.
Mid-toned brown shades would be a better fit. For a modern, bold sleek contemporary design style, rich red hues would be very out of place. Ebony, white, or one of the various grey shades would be much better suited.
Infrared light, combined with UV light and visible light, reacts with the finish and slowly turns the finish darker or yellowish. That's why over a long period of time certain types of hardwood floors with oil based polyurethane finish turn that orangey/yellow color that no-one likes.
The phenomenon of oak tree leaves turning yellow is pretty common. It gets many people confused as to whether it is caused due to disease or natural shedding cycle. Among the many beautiful trees of the Quercus genus, is the oak tree. Oaks are found in many regions of the northern hemisphere.
Tannins are the things that give wood/fruit their colour (tannins are most noticeable in purple grape juice/red wine). The "fun" thing about white oak is "tannin pull". This is most visible with a water based clear coat. This can be prevented by using a sealant prior to application of the clear coat.
For a light and fresh look, stain your white oak hardwood flooring a lighter color. This also smooths and blends the contrast in the grain for a very clean look. For more traditional, rustic, or just darker floors, a dark stain absorbs beautifully and lets the grain really stand out.
Tannin dissolves and escapes from the wood. Wine barrels are made from oak and it is the tannin that helps to give the wine its' colour.
Oak, whether red or white, tends to yellow in time with exposure to UV light. The oil-based finish will also yellow in time.
It may be the finish that has ambered over time. Refinish with a water based polyurethane which yellows much less. Red oak does have some red undertones, so some "honey" is to be expected.
Live Oak Leaf Drop – Live oak leaves start to turn yellow and blotchy in February or early March because they are senescing (or dying off). Then, they will fall off as the tree makes way for new leaves.
White Oak. The light brown to darker tones of White Oak undergoes a medium degree of color change with slight ambering over time.
To avoid a yellowing wood finish, use a water-based polyurethane instead of an oil based polyurethane. The best water-based polyurethane is Minwax's Polycrylic, which is formulated for easy consumer use.
Use a water-based stain to avoid any yellowing in future years. Avoid high-gloss finishes – they were common in the 1990's and 2000's, but are now out of fashion. Before applying your sealer, combine and mix all containers into one large container/barrel before applying.
Use peroxide bleach to lighten the natural wood color; this will not work on dye stains. Chlorine bleach is effective in lightening dye stains. Oxalic acid removes tannic acid stains, which occur in oak floors. Tannic acid stains usually look blackish in color.
The answer is – no! The oak trim and oak flooring finish (the golden color known in the industry as “honey”) will never come back in style. Today, there are many beautiful versions of stained oak on the market that allow it to appear more contemporary and aesthetically pleasing.
You should stain your hardwood floor if you have a common wood like red or white oak. Staining will give these floors an exotic look. On the contrary, many kinds of wood like pine and maple are not meant to be stained. They have tight grains that make them very hard to stain evenly.