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January 3, 2008
What color floor stain did you use?
Deciding floor stain now and Im wondering what shade other people used on their old home floors?
Comments
This is a great question. I think your options are totally open to whatever you like. I currently have my floors stained very dark (I think the name was dark walnut and I did two light coats so I could still see the grain.) Its an idea I got from a French country magazine.
However, I have seen lighter shades that looked attractive as well. If you have any stairs or moulding or paneling to contend with I would say do not try to match, instead go a couple of tones warmer.
I think old homes take an eclectic variation of finishes, best in warmer, natural tones.
Posted by: hhitchc at January 3, 2008 1:10 PM
Our floors are stained dark -- but not too dark -- you can see the grains. I forget the name of the stain, sorry! Previously, the floors were stained light, and that looked nice as well, but with the renovation that included new kitchen cabinets, the darker stain looks nicer.
Whatever you choose, don't super gloss it! I've seen some super-glossed old floors in brownstones and they look awful, no matter what stain shade.
Good luck!
Posted by: luvtocook at January 3, 2008 1:47 PM
Thanks luvtocook and hhitchc.
Hhitchc - Do you have any photos of your floor? One of my color choices is dark walnut and I love the look of a dark floor but Im concerned it might be too much for our house.
Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at January 3, 2008 2:07 PM
Jacobean and/or Ebony. Looks great.
Posted by: guest at January 3, 2008 3:28 PM
I used both Minwax Jacobean and Special Walnut in our house - Jacobean is darker but you can stll see the grain. For the higher-traffic areas (kitchen/living), I used Special Walnut because dark floors show dirt a bit more. I second using a matt finish. We used Bona water-based.
Posted by: guest at January 3, 2008 3:37 PM
Stain will vary depending on wood so you need to test a sample area (re-sand area if you do not like it).
If the floor is damaged (rustic),patchy, has many knots, etc. a dark stain helps keep things more even. Cheap wood floor can also be disguised with really dark stain.
If you like dark floors and are concerned with it being too dark, consider light rugs. Remember its what the room looks like fully furnished that counts.
Posted by: chas at January 3, 2008 4:56 PM
Thanks all. Ive done a sample of english chestnut and dark walnut but it doesn't really tell me what I need. A small, unpolyed sample doesn't tell me what the whole house in that shade is going to look like and wear.
For those that stained their floors dark (which seems like all) - do you have problems with easy scratching and dust?
Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at January 4, 2008 8:42 AM
Mrs. Limestone, just send me your email and Ill send you some pics. hhitchc@nyc.rr.com
Posted by: hhitchc at January 4, 2008 10:52 AM
And here are some pics from AT if anyone else was interested. As far as dust and scratches, I think for a while I noticed every mark, but after a month or so the finish got a little patina to it and scratching and dust was not noticeable.
Posted by: hhitchc at January 4, 2008 11:04 AM
Thanks hhitchc - I email you this evening.
Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at January 4, 2008 2:15 PM
I just recently restored the old parquay floors on my 2nd floor and decided on Golden Oak. I tested a wide variety of colors and blends but finally went with that. Looks great! The floors are the original red oak flooring with maple inlays. The golden oak stain took well.
Posted by: BedStuyGal at January 4, 2008 5:38 PM
I used Mohawk Van Dyke Brown and am VERY happy with the results. The floor is new quarter sawn white oak and the finish is an oil matte poly. Mohawk products are superior to MinWax. Available at Abbott in Sunset Park. I did ALOT of research and testing (and obsessing) before deciding to go with Mohawk - which was recommended by my contractor and the people who work at Abbott.
CB
Posted by: guest at January 4, 2008 10:18 PM
ipswich pine from minwax looks nice in my old limestone
light/golden in color, not dark
consider matte or satin poly finish
g'luck
Posted by: jdsimon at January 5, 2008 10:04 AM
JACOBEAN! and I love it.
Posted by: guest at January 5, 2008 9:02 PM
So, what stain did you choose? Status update please!
Posted by: guest at January 13, 2008 10:52 AM
We are getting ready to add hardwoods in our kitchen to match the additional floors in the house. Currently the floors are stained Golden Oak, but I wondered if the stairs leading to the second floor needed to match. I really wanted something darker that would complement the Golden Oak. Suggestions?
Posted by: guest at February 20, 2008 2:27 PM
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