red oak floor install; neutral/pale sealer advice

5 years ago

Hi Houzz! My husband and I are going to be installing #2 common red oak floors (we have 25yr-old site finished red oak floors that are orangey and will be sanded to match the new install) throughout our first floor (living/sitting/halls/kitchen). I would like to keep the look of a pale neutral oak in a somewhat scandinavian style but not white. I like this remodelled look very much...I guess the color of sanded oak http://designindulgence.blogspot.com/2016/07/project-boulder-before-and-after-part-2.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+blogspot/ysNDK+(design+indulgence)

I have been researching and can use three coats of a matte sealer like Bona Traffic Matte or perhaps one coat of Bona Nordicseal and two coats of a matte topcoat. Any recommendations? I am looking for high quality. Thanks!

Featured Answer

PRO

Johnson Flooring Co Inc

5 years ago

Before hopping on the Rubio train, make sure you know what type of maintenance you're signing up for. We have it on several floors and like it, but are pretty easy on our floors.

I would probably opt for one coat of Bona NordicSeal and two coats of Traffic to achieve the look you want. Here's a sample of NordicSeal on Red Oak, one coat on upper half, two coats on lower half. To the left is Mirage Red Oak Isla we were trying to match. On second thought, for your goal I might try a 1:1 mix of NordicSeal and ClassicSeal to make it a bit more woody. Even the ClassicSeal might be interesting with all the character from the #2 Common grade wood.

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Comments (39)

PRO
J Design Group - Interior Designers Miami - Modern
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
There are many water based wood floor sealers that help you keep the natural color of the wood.

Like Hydroline Wood Floor Sealer or Bona Floor Finish, Satin and many others.

J Design Group
225 Malaga Ave
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Ph: 305-444-4611
https://www.JDesignGroup.com
lisaodwyerphoto thanked J Design Group - Interior Designers Miami - Modern
Corky Lorenz
5 years ago
We just had our new maple floors done and I debated going with Nordic because I love the light Scandinavian look! If I had oak floors, I totally would have gone with Bona Nordic! But I didn't like how it obscured the shimmery grain of maple (not a problem for oak).

Here's a pic of Nordic vs intense seal, side by side for your reference. Bottom of the pic is Nordic, top is intense. The whole floor was then coated with Bona traffic. Matte would be lovely for this look.
lisaodwyerphoto thanked Corky Lorenz
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Frederic
5 years ago
Bona makes a water based sealer, we almost used it in our floors BUT we were told the water based dealers are not as durable as the polyurethane, so we went with three coats of Bona Matte Polyurethane, no stain. You do get a tiny bit of the red but the finish is really smooth and hard.
lisaodwyerphoto thanked Frederic
bubblyjock
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
We just had prefinished shiny red oak floors sanded and finished with Rubio Monocoat pure (no stain). They have gone from hideous to gorgeous! I liked the unstained red oak underneath the shiny red stain urethane, as it has quite a lot of variety.

Rubio Monocoat comes in a variety of colours now. It has NO VOCs, goes on like a charm, wears extremely well. They're a really helpful company, too. Can't recommend the product highly enough.Rubio Monocoat colours
lisaodwyerphoto thanked bubblyjock
smitrovich
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Why not contact the blogger? She says they used 3 coats of matte sealer, no stain. Ask them what type of sealer they used.
lisaodwyerphoto thanked smitrovich
Nidnay
5 years ago
Reading through the comments section on the blog, many who posted there asked for the info on the floors, but she never responded.
lisaodwyerphoto thanked Nidnay
PRO
G & S Floor Service
5 years ago
For Bona system, 2 coats of nordic seal and 2 coats of traffic hd matte for the Scandinavian look.
lisaodwyerphoto thanked G & S Floor Service
Nidnay
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
The Bona finished floor looks completely different than what the OP seems to be going for. Bona finish looks yellow and the “finish” on the floor from the blog looks like a totally raw floor and completely flat with no sheen.
lisaodwyerphoto thanked Nidnay
PRO
National Hardwood Flooring & Supplies
5 years ago
Loba invisible or supra matte
lisaodwyerphoto thanked National Hardwood Flooring & Supplies
PRO
G & S Floor Service
5 years ago
Poster has red oak, nordic seal is a high build pigmented sealer. Has a touch of white in it. It's designed for the pale Scandinavian look, not raw look. You can play around with either 1 or 2 coats of sealer to get the result you want. If, the raw look is wanted, then I would recommend using 2 coats of Loba invisible as National Hardwood suggested.
lisaodwyerphoto thanked G & S Floor Service
lisaodwyerphoto
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you to everyone who has commented! I really appreciate your help! As noted, the blogger has not mentioned what they used on the red oak only that they used 3 coats of matte sealer. I love the look of NordicSeal and that is why I mentioned it. But I am afraid it would turn out too white which I don't want. I want a look of freshly sanded oak..ha ha! If it is possible! I don't want pink, and I want the red to be more neutral...unfortunately I don't have white oak to work with; it is red oak. I am going to look into the Loba invisible and the other suggestions. If anyone has ever done a neutral to pale look on red oak (not glossy) then I would love to see your photos and hear about your experience! We plan to tackle this installation right after Christmas. Thanks!
Nidnay
5 years ago
lisaodwyer......If you check out the Loba, please post back with any updates regarding how it actually looks on the floor because I am very much interested in the same thing. I have red oak floors newly installed and I love the way they look in their raw state.
lisaodwyerphoto
Original Author
5 years ago
sure niday! I feel like the sealers all add a gloss and a warm/golden look that I definitely do not want.
smitrovich
5 years ago
The blogger (Sherry Hart) provides her email address on her website (sherryhdesigns@mac.com). Have you tried contacting her directly?
lisaodwyerphoto thanked smitrovich
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
5 years ago
Back in January or so, Fine Homebuilding magazine had an article on light cured floor finishes. I wouldn't make any decision without reading it.
lisaodwyerphoto thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
lisaodwyerphoto
Original Author
5 years ago
https://www.facebook.com/94763592630/photos/pcb.10154220804832631/10154220803147631/?type=3&theater Loba invisible on red oak looks like what I am looking for!
lisaodwyerphoto
Original Author
5 years ago
Question...what would is the difference between the Loba and the Bona matte sealers? Does one have a quicker drying time? Also, since they are not "stains", is water-popping still necessary? Thanks!
bubblyjock
5 years ago
lisaodwyerphoto - everything you say you want can be accomplished by Rubio Monocoat, as I mentioned last night.
lisaodwyerphoto thanked bubblyjock
PRO
National Hardwood Flooring & Supplies
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

You don't need to water pop unless your are staining, it opens up the grain for a darker color. In your case just need the finish 2 coats Loba invisible or Bona.
lisaodwyerphoto thanked National Hardwood Flooring & Supplies
veggiegardnr
5 years ago
I second the recommendation to look at the possibilities with Rubio Monocoat.
lisaodwyerphoto thanked veggiegardnr
lisaodwyerphoto
Original Author
5 years ago
Will look into the Rubio Monocoat too. Thanks so much bubblyjock! And National Hardwood Flooring and Supplies, those samples are awesome! The 2 coats of invisible protect look just like the photo I originally posted. I am amazed at how these "clear" topcoats can change the appearance of the wood depending on what is used. I thought that only stains could do that.
lisaodwyerphoto
Original Author
5 years ago
Just ordered the Rubio Monocoat samples in clear, smoke, and smoke 5%. Wish other manufacturers like Loba had these available. Thanks! https://eco-buildingproducts.com/product/rubio-monocoat-color-samples/?attribute_pa_color=smoke-chemlink-color&attribute_pa_size=20-ml-sample&v=2da62cf3ab72
veggiegardnr
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I'd call the rubio monocoat company and tell them what you'd like to accomplish with your red oak floor and ask them to recommend samples for you. We found them to be very nice and helpful when we did our floors (though we did end up using a different hardwax oil in the end for our dark floors, long story and nothing to do with anything negative at all about the Rubio Monocoat). If i remember correctly, they have some colors that have a bit of green in them that might be useful to camouflage the pink in the red oak. I also remember that they have at least two shades (?) of clear. One of them tends to impart a bit of a yellowish color and the other has no yellow at all (i think these two might be called pure and natural, I forget, but there is a difference). Plus, you can mix the oils. So, you can do things like mix a bit of white in to achieve a more blonde look, etc. Anyway, I'd ask them what they think would be the best bet to achieve the color you want.
lisaodwyerphoto thanked veggiegardnr
smitrovich
5 years ago
There are loads of complaints about Rubio Monocoat finishes here on Houzz, so just be aware of that before you get in too deep.
_sophiewheeler
5 years ago
And loads of people who ended up with pink floors because they thought they could negate the red in red oak.
veggiegardnr
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
There are loads of people who are extremely happy with their hardwax oil finishes and you can read about that here on gardenweb if you search for hardwax oil, Rubio Monocoat, etc. When there are problems, a lot of the problems are due to the person applying the finish not doing it correctly or not sanding the floor to a high standard before applying the finish. You need someone who has experience applying these finishes if you go with one.

Do make sure, before you purchase and install red oak, or any other type of wood, that you can get it finished how you want (and, if you use red oak, that you can avoid those pink undertones, if you don't want them).
bubblyjock
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
For the record, our previously pre-finished high-gloss red oak was stripped with the sander and re-finished with Rubio Monocoat Pure, and it is gorgeous - exactly what I wanted. The natural tones of the wood are lovely, the finish is smooth and satin-like to the touch. There are NO VOCs, so the smell of beeswax and linseed oil (for that is all it is) that pervaded the house was a welcome change from the noxious fumes from most finishes.

Our contractor had never used Rubio, let alone Monocoat. I encouraged him to do his homework - there is SO much info available out there - wood-flooring forums, videos, phoning Rubio, etc - and he did, somewhat, with much grumbling.

But then ...

He sanded down an old pine floor which had previously probably been variously painted, urethaned, goodness knows what else over its 150 year lifespan. He replaced some old boards with new ones, which obviously weren't a match in tone, very obvious before refinishing with Monocoat. This time, however, he didn't bother to consult with Rubio, so, although the satiny finish is what we wanted, the colours of the boards are uneven, particularly the mismatch of old and new, the ends of the boards look ... odd, and I'm generally not a happy bunny.

Lesson learned: get yourself a flooring contractor who's used Rubio Monocoat lots, and get him to make you up some samples before you get the whole floor done!
lisaodwyerphoto thanked bubblyjock
lisaodwyerphoto
Original Author
5 years ago
I have ordered some samples of the Rubio Monocoat bubblyjock and am looking forward to trying them out. I also have done some research on problems and I do think red oak will be fine. The people who have had problems with it are with woods like maple and pine. I like a matte look, not glossy. I have a bunch of sample wood planks and am planning on testing each color with water-popping and without. Will report back here soon :) Thank you so much for commenting!
lisaodwyerphoto
Original Author
5 years ago
Pete's Hardwoods say maple is a "blotch-prone wood" and also warn against pine https://www.peteshardwoodfloors.com/rubio-the-best-hardened-oil-finish.html
bubblyjock
5 years ago
lisaodwyerphoto - don't chuck out your Monocoat samples when you're done! You can use them to pretty up wooden chopping boards, etc, as it's non-toxic, among its many other wonderful properties. Hope it works out for you!
_sophiewheeler
5 years ago
Non toxic does not translate to food contact safe!
lisaodwyerphoto
Original Author
5 years ago
Beautiful Johnson Flooring! I love that look!
lisaodwyerphoto
Original Author
5 years ago
We finished our #2 grade red oak installation stained with Rubio monocoat smoke 5%. Here is a photo with the unfinished #2 red oak on left and the 25 year old dining room floor (smaller planks) on right. Overall, I love the smoked effect of the Rubio! I do regret not getting something a bit more dramatic in color though like a white or a darker brown. The redder planks of oak still look pinkish. I thought that the green of the 5% smoke would soften the pink.

We will be installing the same oak in the other sitting room and kitchen and I would like to try a whiter shade or a darker shade to try and mask some of the pink. (I didn't waterpop and maybe that could have added a more opaque effect from the smoke 6%).

Advice please: I bought UMO to add the extra level of protection and sheen. Tomorrow will be the 36hr curing time from the smoke 5% 2c to apply UMO. Should I just save the UMO for when we do the other rooms in a year or so? Is is possible to blend this smoke 5% floor with a new floor done with a different shade (a whiter or more medium brown shade)? Can a new shade be applied over this smoke 5% or should the floor be sanded?

Thanks!
PRO
Johnson Flooring Co Inc
5 years ago
Rubio claims it seals in one coat and no more will penetrate after that. I'd love to know how the UMO works out for you. I haven't tried it.
Julie Olsen
4 years ago
We used Bona Nordic Seal (2 coats because 3 turned them a bluish tint) and sealed with a matte sealer. I love them.
PRO
G & S Floor Service
4 years ago
@Lisa, Don't buy finish to have it sit on the shelf for a year. Purchase it when you need it. Finishes usually have a 1 year shelf life. The chemicals will expire and not work properly, not worth doing.
paulacalvert
4 years ago
hello and help! I am debating 1 coat of Nordic Seal before 2 coats of Traffic HD on Maple. Any advice? I am scared of pink floors. They are currently orange, and with some strange sanding marks from the sanding machine because I sanded them. Can't afford a flooring person. I have raw maple floors currently. Any advice? Maybe Nordic will hide a bit of sanding imperfections, but turn the maple pink? uhghghg.
_sophiewheeler
4 years ago
You can’t NOT afford to hire a Pro.