Choosing the Right Color and Finish for Your Hardwood Floors

Wood floors are timeless and elegant.  There is a reason wood floors have remained popular century after century, they are durable and add beauty and value to a home.

Wood floors are timeless and elegant.  There is a reason wood floors have remained popular century after century, they are durable and add beauty and value to a home.  Wood floors have come a long way and today there are a huge variety of wood floors available to suit any homeowner’s needs and budget.  While wood floors are inherently traditional, there are many different styles to seamlessly coordinate with any home’s architecture and decor aesthetic.  When choosing hardwood floors you not only need to choose your wood flooring material but you need to choose a stain color and finish.  These choices will be influences by your home’s style, personal tastes and lifestyle but it is an important decision to weigh carefully because you will live with your choice for years to come.

First, it is important to discuss color options for your hardwood flooring.  The most traditional and classic option is a natural shade of brown.  It is deep, rich and beautiful – a true classic.  But just because it is classic does not mean it is outdated, it looks great with just about any decor.  Additionally, a natural, beige tone is also somewhat classic and goes with many decor styles.  Today we also see this color used frequently with modern homes and more contemporary, Swedish style design.  It is ideal for enhancing a simple, minimalistic beauty.  Dark hardwood stains can look black, or have an undertone of red to them and are very beautiful.  They scream elegant but are still neutral enough to coordinate with most home decor.  Important to note, though, is that dark hardwood stain colors tend to show more dust, pet hair and footprints so consider upkeep and daily cleaning habits when choosing stain color as  well.  Stain in shades of gray have become all the rage lately.  While it may be trendy, it is still a neutral tone and can have undertones of natural wood color.  Gray does not fight with other colors around it so it really does seamlessly blend with home decor.  Additionally, a gray floor sets the perfect stage for bold choices around it, whether it is paint, furniture or art.  Ultimately, all the colors of the rainbow are essentially available to you when choosing a stain color.  You can stain wood white, black, red, orange, yellow, whatever suits your tastes as well as home decor and architecture.

After you have chosen your wood type and stain color you must also consider carefully your hardwood floor finish.  Hardwood floors are an investment that add significant value and beauty to your home so it is important to choose your finish properly so that you can ensure your floors remain protected.  There are a variety of factors that will influence your finish decision.  How durable does your floor need to be?  Do you have small children or pets?  Do you live in an area where your floor might need special moisture protection?  How much upkeep are you comfortable with?  Wax is a classic way to finish your hardwood floors, has a low luster and looks beautiful.  But, it is also less durable and more susceptible to stains.  Additionally, it requires more frequent upkeep than other finishes.  Water-based polyurethane is more expensive than oil-based but will not yellow like oil-based polyurethane will and is easy to apply.  Oil-based polyurethane is easy to apply and less expensive but will yellow over time.  A moisture-cured urethane finish will hold up well to moisture and potential spills and while it is more costly than others it is extremely durable.  Penetrating oil sealer is less expensive and because of the way it penetrates into wood it really draws out the natural beauty of the wood.  It is less durable than other finishes, is susceptible to moisture damage and will need to be reapplied every 2-3 years.  Additionally, there are other sealers and finishes available on the market.  Consult your contractor or handyman for advice when choosing your hardwood floor color and finish to ensure you achieve the desired look and durability you want for your home.