refinishing american cherry hardwood flooring

elaineleddington

3 years ago

Can't decide between semi gloss and satin finish

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Comments (3)

SJ McCarthy
3 years ago
Are you staining? What type of finish? Oil based? Oil modified? Water based? Do you want to keep the 'fresh sanded' look (very pale brownish colour) or are you looking forward to the wood darkening with time (American Cherry gets DARKER with exposure to UV light..aka light).

If you want to keep the natural colour (without it darkening) there are additives in the Loba line (UVProtect) that will STOP the darkening of Cherry and Maple. I doubt if the UVProtect can be added to ANY finish...it is specifically designed to work with the Loba line of products.

I like satin on lighter coloured wood. A semi-gloss (or high-gloss satin) is much more handsome on floors that darken...like cherry. And most people are 'clean shiny' people. They believe a 'clean' floor is a 'shiny' floor and a shiny floor is a clean floor.

If a 'clean shiny' person gets a gloss level that is TOO DULL for them, they will be unhappy for 25 years. They will over clean their floors in an attempt to get them to look 'clean and shiny' for more than 20 minutes.

As a homeowner, you will need to know how you FEEL about a clean floor (weird I know...but it is true). If you INSIST on a clean shiny floor for 1-5 days after it has been 'mopped' then you are a 'clean shiny person'. There's nothing wrong with that. There are many of us out there! Totally normal. But you need to KNOW that you are one before you choose your gloss level.

If you have a light floor like natural oak or maple, I like satin. If it goes a bit darker than that (like A. cherry can go when exposed to light) then I like to see a semi-gloss (or high-gloss satin). It just looks and feels nicer (and cleaner). Full gloss is too much for most people. I would stay away from full gloss.
elaineleddington thanked SJ McCarthy
elaineleddington
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks for the imput, we decided to go with a clear, semi gloss finish and allow the floor to darken over time.
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SJ McCarthy
3 years ago
Excellent. Just remember to keep area rugs off the floor for 6-12 months. It allows the floor to darken as evenly as possible.

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refinishing american cherry hardwood flooring

Comments (3)

SJ McCarthy

elaineleddington
Original Author

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refinishing american cherry hardwood flooring

Comments (3)

SJ McCarthy

elaineleddingtonOriginal Author

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SJ McCarthy

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elaineleddington
Original Author