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Advice on floor stain -- looking for medium brown

17 years ago

We are getting are hardwood floors re-refinished after a color/workmanship disaster a couple of weeks ago. We have red oak floors (so we've been told) and want a medium brown tone with that classic hardwood warmth -- nothing too bold or too light. We did some experiments on new red oak boards we bought and think we want to go with Early American. The floor guys laid some samples today and the Special Walnut also looked good.

So my question is: Does anyone have experience with either of these stains? I worry that Early American will turn too light after the sanding between poly coats... but then again, Special Walnut might not have enough "warmth" (we had Special Walnut on our old, unrefinished floors and I liked it, but my husband wanted something with more warmth to it. I just don't know if the lack of warmth was due to the fact that the floors needed refinishing, or if it was an attribute of the color itself). Any thoughts on which might be the "safer" stain to go with?

thanks!

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Comments (7)

cora_lea
17 years ago
Have you tried a fruitwood stain? We used that in our kitchen and family room and it is lovely. It has a nice warm tone using the red oak. Not too red or yellow, but just dark enough to look very rich.
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maria_gh
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks! I've never been shown Fruitwood (not by the first contractors, who messed up the floors, or the new ones). Do you by chance have pictures of your floors?
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cora_lea
17 years ago
I only have a picture of the cabinets before we started our remodel. This is a good "daytime" picture with natural lighting. Sometimes they look a bit more golden and sometimes a bit more red, but definitely a warm, earthy color that compliments anything I put near it. I hope this helps.

Here is a link that might be useful:
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cora_lea
17 years ago
I omitted to mention the cabinets were also fruitwood stain on red oak, so that is the reason I posted this picture. You can expect something no darker, and it will have more golden and reddish casts with different lighting, but not overwhelmingly so, and it is VERY pretty and "warm". Good Luck! Let me know how this stain color will work for you!
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epjenk
17 years ago
We used one called coffee brown on ours, I'm very happy with it. My decorator warned me that special walnut can tinge green.
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uluvbs
17 years ago
I am in a similar boat, but i am moving into a small apartment and cannot have the dark brown floors that I so desire.

I will end up with a medium brown shade, as well, but are you also having the same problem I am that so many shades in the brochure/on the cans look different when applied?

I assume you have already looked at DRIFTwood? Can you describe how it looked versus Special Walnut and Early American?

Thanks.
Thanks.
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matdrew
17 years ago
I just did the new miniwax color red oak. very pretty slight red tint to it. i have no pics. what finish are you guys doing matte or gloss. which is more classic? thanks
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