We didn't move in yet so I cannot comment on it 🤷. You might want to do some reading regarding matt finish. Some people complain that is hard to live with finish, because for example foot marks while walking barefoot. I think they are some discussions on houzz regarding that

OK...first thing you must know about maple...it gets STRONGER yellow tones as it is exposed to UV light (any light...even over head lighting). What does that mean? Notice the pale moon-tones of the raw wood? If you leave them 'natural' (without a UV blocking agent) you will get DEEP YELLOW within a year....like the colour you are seeing with #3. That's the look you get WITHOUT a colourant or stain. Just letting the maple 'sit' in the light = deep yellow. Are you prepared for that darkening? The colour you start out with TODAY WILL CHANGE. It will get darker and yellower. That's why I mentioned Loba's UV blocker = UVProtect. It is an additive that can be added to (almost any) water based product such as Bona Traffic HD. The 'mixing of the hardener' is VERY specific. Very very specific. As in, "Set in a laboratory to achieve the BEST results for the homeowner," type of specific. A flooring pro who has been TRAINED by Bona (ahem...he paid to get himself to the Bona Training session...paid for 3 days of hotel...paid for food...etc...and NOT getting paid...) can finagle the use of the hardener. But it should NEVER BE left 'out' of an equation. If you have a 2 part (2K = 2 Komponenten = German for 2 component) product, you REALLY MUST use the hardener as directed. Is it *possible to use it without the hardener? Yes. What is the benefit? LONGER working time (Bona Traffic HD = 2-5 minute wet edge = crazy-short). What are the drawbacks? LOOOOOOONNNNNNNGGGGGGG dry times and even LOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGEEEEEEEER 'cure' times. And, if that isn't bad enough, and your finish will NEVER perform the way the manufacturer says it will = total waste of money. What is a LOOOONNNNNGGGG dry time? A day or two = you must have 2-4 DAYS between coats. If you are looking at 3 coats of finish = 8 days to COMPLETE the application of all three coats. What does LONGER cure time = 30+ days for 2 coats....3 coats = 40+ or more. That means NO furniture...no feet (stocking or otherwise)...no pets...no moving in....no moving out....NOTHING. Don't even open the door! So IMAGINE the extra costs to stay where you are or for 30+ days in paid accommodations. Right. Compare that to: Day 1 (of liquids): 1 coat 'sealant' + 1 coat Bona Traffic HD Day 2: 2 coats of Traffic HD (includes abrasion + tack cloth between coats) Walking over the floor (stocking feet = NO WORK being done...just nipping in to grab your keys!!!) = 2 days (48 hours...not just "two sleeps"). Cure: (furniture allowed but NO AREA RUGS!!!!!!) 7 - 10 days. The 3+ coats is a longer cure than 2+ coats. Full HARDNESS: (ahhhhh....that's something NO ONE talks about) 3-4 WEEKS (again the third coat means it needs another week of 'air time') First 'damp clean': 3-4 WEEKS = sweeping ONLY....NO DAMP MOPPING. Time to first area rugs: 8-12 months for MAPLE....because it needs TIME to darken/turn strong yellow. Whew! There you go. My advice: do NOT use someone else's sealant. Use BONA ONLY! Bona's IntenseSeal is the darkest sealant they have. It is probably #3....but confirm that please. Do NOT let them 'play' with the hardener...it is VITAL to the health of your finish and your sanity and your cheque book. I kid you not.

Gaby what did you end up going with? Hi a have been through one contractor already because he would only put a clear on the floor as a sample why I ran around picking out stain colors! And now I have hired somebody else but he is an available to start till November. So I would love to know what you ended up doing to get the best possible outcome on your red Oak!

Hi! What did you end up doing? I’m facing the same problem.