Stain options in engineered and solid wood floors

3 years ago

Hi all,

I'm looking to install engineered wood floors in my dining/family room that's on a concrete slab on the main level of the house, and I'd like to install solid hardwood in the living room and bedrooms. A tiled kitchen will be between the dining/family room and the living room leading up to the bedrooms. Only the dining/family room is on concrete. The rest of the house is not. Ideally I'd like to have the floors match color-wise. Whatever manufacturer I search, I can't seem to find matching stain colors in both flooring options. Is this the norm? Is there any way around this other than installing engineered wood throughout the house? I really want the colors to match. I'm in PA if that helps, so there aren't really any climate issues etc.

Also, which brands should I be looking at? I've looked at Bruce, Mullican and Armstrong. I know these are available in flooring stores near me and I could easily obtain samples. If there are any ones we should stay away from, please let me know.

Thanks!

Featured Answer

SJ McCarthy

3 years ago

You are looking for a company that manufactures the same species/finish in both engineered AND solid. These are NOT found using the big box stores nor the mass producers such as Bruce, etc.

You are on the Eastern Seaboard. Excellent! That's where ALL the great mills are. You need to google/search for hardwood floor mill. You will come up with thousands of options. Go ahead and start looking at the one's closest to you. They will offer samples (either free or for small money) as well as a list of their retailers.

Because you are looking at a match (ie. NO ONE can tell the difference but you!) you are going to pay more for that quality. I would expect $9-$12/sf depending on the cut, species, thickness and finish/stain.

I know how to find them in Canada...it will be up to you to find it in/around PA.

Oak and Broad is a company that produces beautiful wood floors in Georgia...they also post on Houzz (stunning floors...absolutely stunning).

Our Story | A family-owned hardwood flooring company | Oak & Broad (oakandbroad.com)

Follow the link to see what you are LOOKING for. Once you know how to find a quality mill, you can then branch out on your own.

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Comments (7)

PRO
G & S Floor Service
3 years ago
It's easier to get unfinished solid and engineered, site finished to match.
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calidesign
3 years ago
I'd just use the engineered wood in all locations. I don't know what benefit you would get by using solid hardwood in some areas.
Athena Nicolaides
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you all for your replies! It looks like I have multiple options here.

The only issue I have with site finished is the potential need to move out for a few days when I have kids at home with virtual school. I suppose it could be done.

I also found a mill 2.5 hours away from me that sells both solid and engineered in the same finish. I will be contacting them today. Engineered throughout is also an option.

Thank you all!
PRO
Uptown Floors
3 years ago
On occasion I have customers that want engineered on the bottom floor (typically concrete) and solids upstairs (wood subfloor) Reasons are typically cost saving.

Here's one. Same color. All product colors I offer available in solid or engineered.

8 1/4" engineered downstairs

5 1/4" solid upstairs

Stairs too. They were custom treads that had a channel milled under the nose to embed LED lights so they would not be visible.
Athena Nicolaides
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks Ken! These photos are great. Which floor from your website is that one? I went on your website and found lots of floors that I liked. We are still in limbo over the floors, mainly because the bedroom floors might need to wait until next year. We need to tear down the plaster in the bedrooms, put some insulation in there and put drywall in both rooms. The plaster is 70 years old and needs to be replaced. We need to start (and finish! lol) the kitchen renovation before we tackle the bedrooms. Obviously, floors would be last.

Do you discontinue the colors on your website frequently? I'm asking because, if we choose to get the engineered now for the family/dining room (which is still up in the air at the moment), would you still the have the solid available in the same color a year from now? That would avoid us having to store boxes of wood in our living room until the time comes.
PRO
Uptown Floors
3 years ago
"Which floor from your website is that one?" It's a custom color

"Do you discontinue the colors on your website frequently?"

Not often except for the poor sellers. We still keep records of the stain formula, but requires a set up fee if the order is under 500 square feet.

Stain options in engineered and solid wood floors

SJ McCarthy

Comments (7)

G & S Floor Service

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Stain options in engineered and solid wood floors

SJ McCarthy

Comments (7)

G & S Floor Service

Related Discussions

calidesign

Athena NicolaidesOriginal Author

Uptown Floors

Athena NicolaidesOriginal Author

Uptown Floors

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Athena Nicolaides
Original Author

Athena Nicolaides
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