Software
Houzz Logo Print
cm2529

Help me decide best stain for Brazilian cherry!

5 months ago

I have 20 year old Brazilian cherry floors that we just sanded. We r between going w a darker stain vs leaving them natural clear stain. Then 3 coats of bona HD. We live in Florida. The wood floor contractor said that bona HD has a very good UV protection that should make it so they don't change color too much like last time. So they shouldn't turn darker or redder? Is that accurate? We've sanded and stained a couple times and they always seem to get darker/redder. I’ve attached pics of 1) graphite 2) twig 3) aged pewter and 4) clear natural stains. Help me decide!!

Comments (22)

  • 5 months ago

    I think it's difficult for someone to provide you with advice (or an opinion) re: stain color until you make a decision on whether you want to disguise the fact that you have Brazilian cherry floors OR appreciate Brazilian cherry floors.

  • 5 months ago

    The Twig in number 2, seems to cut the red the most. It’s my favorite.

  • PRO
    5 months ago

    The wood is cherry it says red in the name unless you go dark they will always read red .in your space I would not go dark so a natural clear finish would be my choice and show off the nice wood .

  • 5 months ago

    Looks like you might have a lot of glass adjacent. Are your windows treated with UV film protectant? That might help.

  • PRO
    5 months ago

    It’s not just UV that causes the natural color change. ANY light, including interior light, will cause them to darken and redden. You cannot prevent it, other than keeping them in the dark.

  • PRO
    5 months ago

    Witha ll wood flooring solar shades are a must so invest in those pretty cheap and allow you to keep the view but protect the foors.

  • 5 months ago

    It would behove you to have your preferred stain done close to the kitchen cabinets which are already dark and dramatic and you want that color relationship to work. The natural color is too pink for my liking - especially with your marble counters. I’d be inclined to see what the dark (but still reading ‘brown’ not black) looks like with your cabinets.

  • 5 months ago

    Agreed. That’s what I was thinking too.

  • PRO
    5 months ago

    Use ebony or graphite to match your cabinets.


    Or


    pinkqualizer and natural white to keep as light as possible, accepting any pink or red that maybe present.

  • 5 months ago

    The question is why keep the floors at all if you are not a fan of their red? Your home is not the typical for Florida. I'm used to everything being light and lite, your choices go against the grain. The darkest will make you happiest, from your other choices but make your home a cave. Maybe that's a good thing in the heat of Florida.

  • PRO
    5 months ago

    The natural clear finish looks best. The others are much too dark, and will show every speck of dust. Cherry is a red-hued wood, and trying to change it is a fool's errand. It's also a very beautiful wood, especially when its characteristics are allowed to shine, and that is accomplished by the clear finish.

  • 5 months ago

    " We've sanded and stained a couple times and they always seem to get darker/redder. "


    You will not be able to ever eliminate the or pink completely as that is the inherent color of the wood. Do as G&S Floor states above.

  • PRO
    5 months ago

    You could consider bleaching the floors to remove some of the redness and keep them lighter.

  • 5 months ago

    Black can be dramatic and look wonderful as long as you keep it balanced. You need contrast.


    Dark on the floors with the dark cabinets takes away the drama and makes it just more black.



    Your floors are a beautiful natural wood that happens to have red tones. Black and red are a classic color combination and will enhance the drama of the space - not destroy it.





  • 5 months ago

    What I don't understand is why you have yellow green beige walls with the black and red.

    Paint your walls the same white as your trim. and your home will be stunning.

  • 5 months ago

    I would try the one marked N right by your waterfall island/cabinets. I think it will harmonize with the stone much better than the clear. It’s also a stain color that will work with your existing wall color rather than the clear.

  • 5 months ago

    I'm doubtful on the UV claim for Bona finish. Here's what a quick search yielded:

    "Does Bona Traffic HD have UV protection?

    Bona finishes are non-yellowing and do not change colour due to the effects of UV light. However, Bona finishes cannot prevent the wood itself changing colour due to tannin bleed, the movement of natural oils or the effects of UV light."

    I've done lots of BC and also have experience with color change on exotic deck wood. Unless you use something that blocks the light (like a dark stain), it will change color.

  • 5 months ago

    You should consider having the floor bleached, then sealed and coated. It comes out more of a golden brown Teak color. I think it would look nice with your cabinets. If you need any details on the process, let me know. Here's a few old posts that address that option:

    https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5041788/brazilian-cherry-stain-or-replace#n=15

    https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6056553/price-for-bleaching-brazilian-red-cherry-floors#n=26

  • 5 months ago

    Here's a home where we bleached 15yr. old BC, sealed with Bona Classicseal and coated with Traffic HD Matte:

    https://www.homes.com/property/1840-s-ocean-blvd-lantana-fl/4fb7k94q8sbf1/

  • PRO
    5 months ago

    Don't even bother with trying to make those something they are not. RIp them out if you are going to be unhappy with red floors. They will always be red, unless extraordinary labor (with all the added expense) is done to them. And by then, you could have just had them replaced.

  • 5 months ago

    My understanding is that Brazilian Cherry wood has a lot of tannins (similar to oak) so you can try to see how well Ciranova Pink Blocker and Bona Red Out work on a sample board. I bought some Ciranova Pink Blocker and used it on a red oak board (12 inch) - it definitely toned down the pink.

  • 5 months ago

    The first photo shows a lot of light colored blotching, possibly from repairs that aren't finished yet. Are you trying to disguise the blotches with stain or will they be removed before staining?


    Please show an update when you are ready.

Sponsored
Virginia Kitchen & Bath
Average rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars155 Reviews
Virginia's Award Winning One Stop Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Resource