i dont understand your thought process. why do you feel required to make the entire second floor a wood choice you dont like just because one bedroom is that way?

I'm trying to keep the number of floor types to a minimum. (Thinking resell as well.) Coming up stairs that will likely be painted, bedroom that already has hardwood is at top of stairs, bathroom next which will have tile and then the hallway would be yet another colour if I don't match the bedroom.

So here are my thoughts:

1) match the treads to the oak on the main floor ... go ahead and paint the risers if you like; it can be a very pretty look.

2) Be sure you can "match" the upstairs hardwood before deciding on adding more. If this is an engineered product, you may be out of luck. Engineered floors have a shelf life of 18 - 24 months. After that you are going to go grey trying to find the match.

3) Remove the gunstock and go with what you like IF you are staying longer than 5 years. No use hating your flooring for 10 long years without any benefit.

4) If you change out the entire upstairs, you might as well match the down stairs oak thereby INCREASING the property value of your home because of "oak floors throughout" can be a selling feature. If you want a different colour, then go ahead and stain the oak...at least you have a species match.

If reducing flooring types is your goal, do NOT paint the treads...it adds one more floor to a home with multiple floors. Try your best to match the treads to the main level oak. Go from there.

If you want a real transition get the treads made with the dark floor upstairs as a band along the side of each tread with the light in the middle.

Cancork - I know it is difficult to lighten any floor that has been stained because the stain can get deep into the grain, but could the gunstock oak floor be sanded down to match the new flooring?