What's the best dark stain on Red Oak Floors?

3 years ago

I'm looking for a rich, dark, brown...I want no "reds" in my new floor.. dark brown...Builder is using red oak. Any suggestions?

Featured Answer

SJ McCarthy

3 years ago

Brown is a mix of colours. That means you can have browns with reds in them (very common with wood) or orange (very common). You can have browns that have blue-green in them (not very common for wood). Some browns are purple based (people get very upset when their wood floors are purple-brown...not a lot of fun).

So the question we have for you is: WHICH brown are you going for? Do you have an inspiration pick you want to share?

The easiest way to get rid of reds = using a green base (women in the cosmetic industry are WELL aware of this little nugget). Green COVERS red to create a 'brown'. Yep. Neat eh?

So...show us some photos of what you WANT your floors to look like and we will help you get there.

The other question I have for you: have you ever LIVED with a DARK floor? Do you know the 'look' of it 24 hours after you mopped it?

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Comments (11)

suedonim75
3 years ago
If you wanted “no red”, why are you using red oak?
3marshview thanked suedonim75
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3marshview
Original Author
3 years ago
suedonim75 We're building a new home and the contractor is using red oak; we have the choice of the stain color.
3marshview
Original Author
3 years ago
@SJ McCarthy I have not lived with dark floors; only seen them and love them. I know it's more maintenance. We have no kids or pets living with us. This is new construction and the builder is using red oak for flooring; we have our choice of the stain color. Miniwax Dark Walnut is looking good to me.
Timothy Winzell
3 years ago
Water pop and Jacobean. The new Duraseal Espresso is nice too, but don't stain without water popping.
3marshview thanked Timothy Winzell
SJ McCarthy
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Have the FLOORING PROFESSIONAL (ahem...not some 'guy' who also knocks down walls) to offer STAIN PATCHES. A stain patch is a patch of stain (usually they offer 3-5 different stains) with a SINGLE COAT of finish.

The coat of finish is a MUST!!! Without the finish you are picking blind. If the builder is using red oak they are almost certainly using 'oil based' poly. Oil based poly = turns orange. And orange + red = FIRE RED.

That's why you must stipulate:

1. Colour patches will be offered for viewing/choosing by the customer

2. Colour patches MUST be coated with 1 coat of polyurethane finish

3. Colour patches will be left on the floor for 24-48 hours so the homeowner can watch the stain turn colour throughout all lighting situations.

4. Customer will SIGN the stain they want and photograph for posterity before the sand/refinish is to occur.

Realize that ALL of these stipulations will do two things:

1. Slow down the process

2. Irritate the Bejesus out of the Builder

Be calm and firm and carry on. If the builder is cheaping out, you will know. It will be apparent in their reaction to your stipulations (put in writing of course). The bigger the negative reaction the cheaper s/he is working.
3marshview thanked SJ McCarthy
3marshview
Original Author
3 years ago
That is terrific advice! I really appreciate it. So... don't use an "oil based poly finish? Is there a brand of finish that you recommend?
Indecisiveness
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Do you have the option to upgrade to white oak floors? The dark will help,hide the red but it will be harder in the future if you ever decide you want light floors.

Heres post on red oak floors .....

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/4766317/bona-nordicseal-on-red-oak

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5967499/what-s-the-best-way-to-lighten-duraseal-dark-walnut-stain
3marshview thanked Indecisiveness
3marshview
Original Author
3 years ago
No, I can't upgrade from red oak to white oak. What's the best dark stain to use? They use Miniwax
melle_sacto is hot and dry in CA Zone 9/
3 years ago
I know you're saying you want dark, but red oak with no stain is quite liveable!

Otherwise Provincial helps quiet the reds, or Ebony for dark.
SJ McCarthy
3 years ago
The stain isn't the most important part. The FINISH (ie the chemical called polyurethane that gives it the final look and the final colour and the final toughness) is the most important thing when trying to get rid of red.

Oil based polyurethanes (like Minwax) turn ORANGE regardless of what they are applied to (white paper turns orange when coated with oil based poly).

Water based finishes are clear and colourless. They do not change the colour but they do add depth. Which is why you will INSIST on colour patches finished with ONE COAT of finish BEFORE you choose your final floor colour.

What's the best dark stain on Red Oak Floors?

SJ McCarthy

Comments (11)

suedonim75

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SJ McCarthy

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What's the best dark stain on Red Oak Floors?

SJ McCarthy

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suedonim75

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