on what? post some pictures

what's the question?

this is red oak. Chesnut has warmer red tones, provincial is more of an ashy brown.

On red oak I don’t have samples down just wondering about the undertones

We’re refinishing our floors and I’m choosing stains to test

I posted a picture of both of them on red oak

chesnut is a warmer brown w/slight red undertones.

provincial is an ashier brown. good choice for red oak since that wood is already naturally pinkish.

just do a few samples.

Do you like this one?

Dura seal jacobean, 1 coat bona intense seal, and 2 coats bona traffic

Duraseal Rustic Beige

do samples!

I’m definitely looking for ashier vs red tones so maybe I’ll try provincial. I was considering that and special walnut but im looking for lighter floors and he said we could do 50/50 of a few stains if I like the tones but want it lighter.

Like the stain mixed with neutral 50/50

you could. just stick w/the ashier tones (green undertones) to cancel out the red.

simple enough to do some sample patches to see what you like.

have you thought about Bona Nordic Seal?

Yeah, I think it’s a little too light for me and he said he doesn’t use the bona seals on Duraseal stains

*only

I’m going to try neutral too but worried it will be too yellow/golden

red oak won't be golden unless he uses the golden yellow based stains!

Neutral on red oak will have a slight pink undertone. no way around it unless you get into bleaching or using the white stains. (like the bona nordic)

stick w/the ash tones.

again, do samples.

He did a sample plank of medium brown/neutral and medium brown/weathered oak and that must have more golden undertones because that was veryyy warm when lightened which wasn’t what I was expecting.

yes, like I said, no red or yellow based browns. he has to use the green base (ash)

When lightening stains do flooring specialists usually cut with neutral or weathered oak?

it just depends. I've mixed a lot of wood stains. I used weathered gray, oak, white,,,,it just depends on the color you want and the wood species you're working with.

Have them mix up a few more samples for you. tell them you don't want gold or red.

here are two more, plus a link to a similar question

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5910438/red-oak-duraseal-stain-color-mixes-tons-of-them

Two more

Is provincial warmer than special walnut? But both have ashier tones?

I'm also having a dilemma on flooring stains, and need to decide tomorrow! I don't love any of these. The walls in one of the rooms has old barnwood, so I want to avoid it being too dark, but don't want to select a color for the entire house based on that room. Hoping to find something that meets both options. Here are the samples, but think I may need them to do more...like a combo of jacobean/nuetral, or dark walnut and provincial or special walnut?

L-R: medium brown, special walnut, provincial, dark walnut, provincial/medium brown, jacobean.

Any recommendations are appreciated!

chris, you should do your own post, but I like the two w/the stars

it works w/the old wood. the others are too golden tone. (same issue as above)

if you want lighter, tell them to lighten the darker colors w/something that won't add yellow or red.

Thanks Beth, I had no idea how difficult this would be! I like something with more gray, I like the two you mention, but definitely too dark. Maybe special walnut and a 25% dark walnut, middle star.

@Beth H. :What are some green bases mixes you would recommend for red oak floors that yield a light warm brown that I can test? Someone posted 50% medium brown and 50% weather oak.

Palvi, any of the ashier tones. Early american, america walnut, Walnut, dark walnut, provencial, jacobean, antique brown.

this is Red Oak w/Bona Stains. 1/2 neutral, 1/4 gray, and 1/4 jacobean. 3 coats satin clear.

or just go w/a natural. Bona has some beautiful natural colors

Thank you! I will start with the colors you suggest but try and get a lighter warm brown as I don't want too dark a brown and don't want a grey floor look. Red oak is so hard!

Palvi- try the bona stains. you can mix the browns w/a neutral, and try to lighten it a bit. obviously a professional who knows bona should work w/you.

Duraseal is another good product you could try

any futher questions about the stains, please start your own post.