Every plank of hardwood floors is unique, and you can either display the raw grains or stain them a vibrant color. However, you may be unsure how to pick between the two, and there are several details to consider before making a decision. Below is a helpful guide to ensure you love your floor.

3 Considerations Before Choosing Stained or Natural Wood Floors

1. Determine Traffic

If you live alone or with a spouse, your hardwood floors probably won’t receive considerable foot traffic and are less prone to wear. However, homes with children or pets will endure more stress. Scratches and dings aren’t as prominent against a light color, so you may want to stick with a soft stain or natural hardwood. Red oak and white oak are popular choices for this reason, as they are beautiful when natural or stained. If traffic isn’t a factor, feel free to choose a dark, prominent stain.

2. Check the Grain

Not all hardwoods accept stains well. If you want to stain the flooring, make sure it is an open-grain wood that will soak up the pigment. Red oak and white oak are all popular options that will adopt a wide range of stains due to their long grain. Pine, maple, and birch have smaller pores and will not hold a stain well, requiring you to reapply the dye often.

3. Know Your Design Goals

Ultimately, you should choose an option that matches your home’s design. Stains provide many opportunities to pair hardwood floors with furniture, finishes, and wall colors. You can also use a stain to make the flooring the defining feature of a room or mimic the look of more expensive woods.

However, staining cannot capture the grains and patterns of of natural hardwood. Log cabin-style homes and rustic interior designs welcome untreated flooring, which can make rooms look brighter and larger. They contrast exceptionally well against dark walls, furniture, and other features.

Whichever you choose, turn to Carl Bohlmeyer Floor Sanding for all your hardwood floor needs. This team has been serving Lincoln, NE, for over 50 years and provides comprehensive floor sanding and refinishing services. Visit this flooring contractor online to learn more about their services. Call (402) 423-7225 to schedule a design consultation.