Was the sample made just for you or was it a stock sample? What did the sales order or brochure state about color variations? Who made the flooring? Who did the finishing? Who milled the flooring? Is the flooring coated with a clear top coat as of yet? Was the sample?

Yes, the sample was made just for me. The sales or didn’t say anything about color variations although I would expect there to be some as each board has its own characteristics. SYP milled the flooring and sent to Premier Finishing. They’ve been really great the whole time and super helpful. After I saw the sample, I thought wow… I’m never buying flooring from a big box store again, these folks are great and worth every Penny. I’ve opened 3 more boxes now and they are all the same dark color. I’ll open some more today to compare. The sample states on the back that it has a Bona Matte Finish. The bill of lading says 5-10 gloss-MB4. Not sure if that is what is causing the difference. There is a UV coating, which is on the order I received but may not be on the sample.

I'd suggest you waste no time here, and contact Premier Finishing : )

Take the sample back and several examples of what you got back to the people who made it for you. My question is if you unpack all the boxes and shuffel them do you find some darker some lighter so all together they would blend??????

I’ve opened a few more boxes and do start to see some lighter boards. The transition between the growth rings is a bit different. Going for a rustic look as this is a modern farmhouse so I want some character. Here is a picture of another lighter board. Sample is on the right and actual order is on the left.

It’s worth taking your approved sample back with some of the new boards and definitely you should get the square footage you paid for.

You have no complaints with that last picture. You will never get closer. It's PINE.

"They say there was some waste in matching end tongue and groove as well as running them? "

That can happen with boards that are twisted and/or bowed. Perhaps some could not be run through the finishing line, unless they shortened the board lengths. Then the end match has to be redone. SYP should have sent plenty extra to offset it.

Looks like a character type floor. You'll have oodles of color variation.

I’ve laid out several boxes along with the sample. The color variation I see is between the sample and rest of the order. The sample has a warm golden tone and the others are more of a brown walnut. I’m really not trying to be a jerk, just disappointed in the different color and don’t know what my options are or if I’m being too picky. It wasn’t cheap.

In your photo up a few posts I thought it was fine but now with a whole room laid out the sample is vastly different from what was shipped. As you say much warmer. I like what was shipped just fine but it doesn’t match the sample.

The sample also seems to have a shine/glow to it, but the order seems to be more flat/dull.

Thank you for the input everyone. What can the finisher do? Do I return them and ask to rerun? Do I just live with it? Does the mill send new boards to finish and I just return these?

A happy accident IMO.

The shipped product looks great with the wall color. The sample isn't as complimentary to my eye. I understand that it's not what you expected, but it does look really good.

My concern is that you were shorted over 5%. That makes no sense at all unless you provided the raw material and were advised that there would be waste in the finishing process. Did you provide the raw material? If not, who did you place the order with, SYP or Premier? Did SYP select Premier as their subcontractor to do the finishing? Seems somebody owes you 5% back or 5% more product. If you're lucky, there was a 10% planned overage in the order and it will all work out, assuming you keep the entire order.

So sorry your excitement turned to disappointment but it will all work out n the end. Remodeling is definitely an endurance sport.

Yes, I purchased through SYP and they contract through Premier. I do still have 10% waste so I’m ok there . I would have kept the extra for spares if needed. Kind of the principle on that one but this is also the first time I’ve purchased flooring this way. Wasn’t sure if that is the standard for purchasing custom floors.

The new boards do look different from your sample. They are definitely a bit darker - but they do look good with your walls. The question is- Will you be happy with this difference in shade?

Remove the sample youand lay the boards close. Live with them for a few days WITHOUT seeing your initial sample.

If you hate it, then you are back to square one. But the color is very nice and 2arm, just slightly darker, which you won’t notice if you put the sample away.

I agree a happy accident I love the new boards much more that the yellow sample. BTW was the 825 sq ft already allowed for 10% more than needed ?

Good advice.. I’ll take them out now. and perhaps it will grow on me more. 715 sq ft was the amount with 10% waste. SYP had suggested to bump up slightly in case there was some damage during transit. Wouldn’t want to run out in the middle of the project and always good to have spares. Haven’t seen any damage so far, they were packaged well.

I'm guessing this part is swollen after flooding?

The floor color is beautiful. I would keep it, but then again I am not the one who paid for it.

You need to ask for the correct square footage or get back the difference. The flooring company should be relieved and happy that you are willing to negotiate a compromise.

You absolutely need extra planks! And having extra means you can reject any that have too much “grain”, plus you have more options for laying planks that look better next to each other.

Give your eyes a few days to get used to these. They are quite pretty!

I would call and show them your pictures. The first pictures you posted are like a completely different floor. Then the close up of the lighter boards looked correct, but now they are on the floor, it's back to looking like a different floor. I would question the top coat as well - matte and gloss are certainly not going to look the same.

The floor you received is very nice, but when all laid out - that does not look the same.

Ask someone to come have a look , then go from there.

Good luck

I think I'm understanding it now. The 10% overage was to accommodate the finishing and the installation. So, you aren't short, i.e. you got what you paid for and indeed, the finishing had waste which was planned into the original order with SVP.

Hope you're feeling better about the color.