red oak a medium brown?

5 years ago

is it possible to achieve this light medium tone with red oak?

we have existing red oak top nailed floors, so the much lighter colors we prefer, and that open up our small home, highlight the nails and surrounding oxidation, which doesn’t look great.

we have the option to bleach them, which takes the red out significantly in the sample we have. however, the floor guys are having a hard time coming up with soft light/medium brown - hoping someone with experience can give some advice! thank you!

if not, here are some darker colors we like. it feels like the colors we are seeing on our floors are more harsh and don’t have this softness to them.

Featured Answer

Liz H

5 years ago

Nope, just sanded— it was professionally done so I’m not sure if the equipment for a diy is the same. We went with the 50/50 weathered oak and classic grey... water based poly since the oil yellows over time. Our floors were in horrible— like I thought beyond repair shape prior and they turned out beautifully. I’ve attached a before and after of my foyer.

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Comments (10)

Liz H
5 years ago
I made this chart when getting our red oak refinished. This was after the sanding so the color representations are accurate. Maybe this will help.
lilmiche thanked Liz H
SJ McCarthy
5 years ago
I like #2 and #11 for your attempt at a Fumed European Oak.

Now for the biggest issue that you did not anticipate....you MUST apply a coat of the finish OVER TOP of the samples you have put down. Do NOT attempt to pick a colour without adding the single coat of finish.

Remember to put down a "Control Patch" of finish on a 1ftx1ft of raw wood. You need to know what the wood looks like with JUST the finish.

What finish are you using? Can you add a coat of finish and reply with the new look?
lilmiche thanked SJ McCarthy
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lilmiche
Original Author
5 years ago
@Liz H thank you so much, liz. this is so helpful!! what did you end up going with? did you bleach your floors first?
lilmiche
Original Author
5 years ago
@SJ McCarthy thank you so much for your advice. I will most definitely try the finish coat. we are using BONA MEGA ONE for 2 coats and BONA TRAFFIC HD for final top coat, per our flooring contractor.
SJ McCarthy
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Be aware Mega 1 can is not as tough as Traffic HD. I prefer to see two coats of the good stuff on top rather than one. I like to know I've paid for the best finish that will give me 20-25 years instead of needing a refresh after 15 years.
lilmiche thanked SJ McCarthy
lilmiche
Original Author
5 years ago
@Liz H thank you so much! your floor came out so beautiful!! definitely going to try this combination on our floors. thank you!!!
lilmiche
Original Author
5 years ago
@SJ McCarthy thank you!! I will switch that to 2 coats of the HD then!!
Liz H
5 years ago
Maybe white and weathered oak will give you the combo you are looking for. My examples, I believe, included classic grey with white. I was surprised how interesting the colors turned out with white added.
lilmiche thanked Liz H
ecgb
2 years ago
Hi, what did you end up doing with your red oak flooring? We’re in the same boat and have the option to bleach but we would want to bring back some warmth with a light-medium brown stain but we’re having trouble with sampling. How did yours turn out?