skip to main content

Home Decorating

Semi-gloss or matte for wood floors? Help w/ decision, please!

13 years ago

I've never had wood floors before, and the new house will have them throughout the downstairs, stairs, and upper hallway (white oak, Gunstock stain). I don't like really shiny, that's about all I know.

We're 2 adults, no kids, 2 soon-to-be kittens adopted. From previous reading, I thought that matte floors would be best to hide scratches, etc. (from the kitties), but my builder's wife said they only like to do semi-gloss anymore because the few times they did floors in matte, the homeowners called saying the finish didn't seem to hold up well. What to do, what to do? I need to know soon. Can anyone advise? I'm cross-posting to get as many answers, as quickly as possible. Is there a middle ground? Thanks for any and all suggestions and real-life situations.......

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

lyfia
13 years ago
I like satin - is that an option.

I know matte doesn't hold up well, but doing semi-gloss with a final coat of satin is often done to help the finish hold up.
sheesh
13 years ago
My high gloss oak floors have held up beautifully for 10 years in my kitchen and dining room. The kids are all grown, but we have a very busy household what with a constant parade of kids, grandkids, dogs and cats. And I love to cook and do so a lot. Very easy maintenance, love love love my high gloss floors, even though they were a mistake! I ordered satin, every box was marked satin, but every box contained high gloss instead. Rather than wait another few weeks we opted to continue with high gloss. I'm glad we did.

Sherry
Related Discussions
Semi-gloss or matte for wood floors? Help w/ decision, please!
Q
Comments (2)
I prefer a satin finish. My floor guy did 2 coats of semigloss and a final coat of satin. A glossy top coat will show every speck of dust and pet hair.
...See More
semi gloss on trim?!?
Q
Comments (33)
B.M makes a washable matte finish. That (or their less expensive flat) would be my preferred choice for a warmer looking wall in bedroom,dining room and living room. I know some folks like eggshell (and the gloss varies with brands) because it cleans better (not as good as their special matte,though) or is more reflective. I know some people like to use a flat or matte on the walls and eggshell on the ceiling. For these rooms, I would never use anything shinier than eggshell. Bathrooms, I prefer full or semi gloss. Kitchens- kinda depends on how much tile you have etc. The higher sheens are easier to clean, but it depends on the look you want. Wood Trim- Full or semi-gloss- latex for indoors I'm a strong believer in water based latex paints. Your brushes and rollers clean up better and it's healthier. There are some very low odor, no VOC or very low VOC paints on the market now, and Milk paint (I haven't used it). Oil based paints - I use them on metal window frames, sometimes on wood, but I don't think they're necessary. Clean and prep walls and trim. Use a good primer-if necessary. Zinsser makes good primer paint. Primers are latex,oil, or shellac. I mention the shellac (B-I-N) because it covers water stains or grease, mold, and stops odors better and dries really fast. Sometimes it's used as a touch up primer.
...See More
Exhausted my decision-making ability - help w/ backsplash ideas?
Q
Comments (29)
I let out barely audible gasp when I saw those tiles, Sweeby. I love them! And I think I might love them even more, as Alku says, in a very muted gray. Or a combination of the two. And Alku, I agree about the iffy-ness of matching up the whites. One thing I wish I could do as you did -- is to find the same $$ deal on tiles. What a steal, lucky you. I want to do my backsplash and get it over with. Ann Sacks and Jeffrey Court are out of my league, but if I can keep the price at near $25/ft, I'll be OK. Well, I have NO IDEA what the install prices are. Can anyone give me some idea of what to expect? Do you think $15/ft is in the ballpark? I'm drawn to the marble combinations in the mosaic, Sweeby. It's soft looking. Do you think I could pull that off in 4x4s? The shop where I got my marble carries Jeffrey Court. Maybe I could convince them to give me a contractor's price since they've been using me as their cheerleader for using marble in the kitchen. I've spoken to several of their prospective clients; maybe they'll throw me a bone.
...See More
trim & ceiling color to go w/sw nomadic desert - please help!
Q
Comments (37)
Just to follow up, Kilim Beige on the walls with Alabaster trim/ceiling looks great in the new house! I love the colors with the dark walnut doors/cabinets and bronze fixtures. They just hooked up electrical so it looks nice with artificial light as well. Sometimes I regret not looking into SW Pavilion Beige, but I don't know why I do that to myself...what's done is done and I should be so relieved that Kilim Beige looks great! When they first painted I thought I saw peach undertones and I panicked. But I did not see that again. It is definitely warm, but I can't detect any real undertones. Flooring isn't in yet, so I'm curious to see how the color will change. patty_cakes, you wrote in a previous post above: "As for the color/colors, just a very pleasant, warm tan that has a beautiful candlelight hue in the evening. Good luck. ;o)" I thought of your comment when we saw the house for the first time last night with artificial light...kilim beige does have that beautiful candlelight hue in the evening! I will post pics soon. Thanks again to everyone, I appreciate your input and advice!
...See More
CaroleOH
13 years ago
I prefer the satin on my floors. I think it really matters most based on the color of your floors.

I think the darker they are, the less glossy they should be, but it definitely is personal preference.

We had 3 coats of poly put on our floors, and I think that third coat really is worth the extra time and expense.
oopsie913
13 years ago
we had semi gloss oil based and fairly dark stain. I would pick satin or semi. Semi to me has just the right amount of shine, but with darker floors you DO see more of the dust. Carole is right about that. I'm not sure about a 'matte' gloss but it sounds too dull to me if it is less than satin. Good luck.
tracey_b
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the replies. I think I meant "satin" when I said "matte". I'm going to check into satin for last coat on top of semi-gloss. I hope it isn't too late! I know they were doing 1 coat today.
Michele Gotay Comstock
2 years ago
What was final decision ?

Related Stories

WOOD Try DIY Plywood Flooring for High Gloss, Low Cost

By Vanessa Brunner

Yup, you heard right. Laid down and shined up, plywood can run with the big flooring boys at an affordable price

DECORATING GUIDES Please Touch: Texture Makes Rooms Spring to Life

Great design stimulates all the senses, including touch. Check out these great uses of texture, then let your fingers do the walking

HOME OFFICES Quiet, Please! How to Cut Noise Pollution at Home

By Christine Ciarmello

Leaf blowers, trucks or noisy neighbors driving you berserk? These sound-reduction strategies can help you hush things up

COLOR Paint-Picking Help and Secrets From a Color Expert

By Tiffany Carboni

Advice for wall and trim colors, what to always do before committing and the one paint feature you should completely ignore

DECORATING GUIDES The Dumbest Decorating Decisions I’ve Ever Made

Caution: Do not try these at home

DECORATING GUIDES 7 Reasons to Include a Little Gloss in Your Decor

By Natasha Saroca

High-shine finishes look good, are practical and can infuse your home with an air of glamour

REMODELING GUIDES Light Wood vs Dark Wood

By Margaret Everton

See What Shades of Wood Can Do for a Space

COLOR Pick-a-Paint Help: How to Create a Whole-House Color Palette

By Laura Gaskill

Don't be daunted. With these strategies, building a cohesive palette for your entire home is less difficult than it seems

LIFE Decluttering — How to Get the Help You Need

By Alison Hodgson

Don't worry if you can't shed stuff and organize alone; help is at your disposal

COLOR Pick-a-Paint Help: How to Quit Procrastinating on Color Choice

By Laura Gaskill

If you're up to your ears in paint chips but no further to pinning down a hue, our new 3-part series is for you

Sponsored

More Discussions

furniture style/colors/layour

6

low dresser beside high boy

12

Help us pick a kitchen stool.

8

Backsplash - changing grout color

17

What dining chairs and buffet goes with brown table?

1