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Wood Floor Staining


Wood floor staining allows us a window of many opportunities to customise our own wood flooring and transform it completely, achieving a look that is unique, creating a certain atmosphere, standing out, and adding a lot of character to each room and space of the house. In fact, wood floor staining can transform your favourite wooden floor and make it the statement piece of the room, attracting all the attention and making your guests gaze in awe. However, if too dramatic and artistic looks are not your cup of tea, you can still take advantage of the staining process and create a wooden floor that perfectly blends with the rest of your interior. No matter if you want to completely change the look of your wooden floor or you simply desire to enhance its natural beauty, colour, and texture, wood floor staining is the perfect service for you.

The staining of wooden floors helps us match our floors with the rest of the interior ideas without the need of replacing the floor. There are various ways of changing the colour of wooden floors and certain limitations, depending on the timber and type of flooring we have.

FlooringFirst! uses mainly Morrells Light-Fast, Morrells Scandi and Osmo Transparent. Our whitewash and grey wash effects are achieved by stains applied onto bare wood and colourants mixed with the sealant. All types of colour effects have their own advantages and that is why your choice of wood floor staining comes with our guidance. We are trained specialists with years of experience in the field and a lot of projects are part of our portfolio. We would be happy to inspect the condition of your wooden floor and determine the best wood floor staining method, keeping in mind the specifics of the wood species and the effect you want to be achieved. 

Wood floor staining

Light Fast Colours (Above, Left » Right):
Jacobean Oak • Dark Oak • Natural Mahogany • Rosewood • Teak • Golden Oak • Medium Oak • Light Oak • Antique Pine

Staining Pine Floor Boards

Pine wood species are among the most challenging to stain evenly and beautifully among the common domestic floors. Pine is softwood, which means it has a more flexible structure that makes different treatments like wood floor sanding and screening smoother and easier. However, when it comes to the absorption abilities of pine and staining this type of wood, here is when you need a truly professional approach and an expert with experience and knowledge. Since pine wood naturally has a dense structure of smaller pores, wood floor staining and finishing products are not that evenly absorbed and as a result, you can get a patchy surface and weakened colour intensity of the stain.

When it comes to pine wood staining, most people are going for the deep, mellow brown of antique pine. Unfortunately, if not done properly and by experienced staining professionals, staining new pine to achieve that beautiful look of antique wood is disappointing, to say the least. One of the biggest issues with the wood species is the peculiar "grain reversal" effect, when only the porous earlywood is coloured, forming super-absorbent pockets and causing a megablotchy and unnatural surface. However, left in the hands of a knowledgeable specialist, wood floor staining can give pine the rich-looking colour you are going for.

Solid Oak Flooring Staining

Oak wood flooring is definitely one of the most popular wood flooring options on the market, this is why you can stop it in the majority of European households. Oak wood species come in two categories from two types of trees - red oak and white oak. As the names suggest, materials sourced from different tree species come with different natural colouring. While white wood comes with a lighter natural colour and is perfect for wood floor staining in light or mid-brown colours, red oak has distinctive pinkish undertones, allowing staining in brownish and reddish shades.

No matter if it comes to white or red oak, both wood species are great for staining and their structure allows for different types of products to be absorbed evenly and create intensive colour and uniform covering. An oak wood flooring allows a lot of great opportunities for wood floor staining, a wide choice of shades that can be achieved and different staining products that can be used.

Engineered Oak Flooring Staining

Engineered flooring comes with the thickness of a real wood top layer from 3 to 6 mm. Restoration of engineered flooring with a 3 mm top layer is not recommended. Due to refinishing of the floors with a machine, unevenness in the level of the floors or the planks may cause in some areas the top layer to be sanded deeper than other areas. Applying the lightfast stain and sealing the floors may result in a patchy effect on the floors.

Therefore, it is recommended that engineered floors with a 3-mm top layer be sealed with clear sealant only, or use hardwax-oil colours instead.

Maple Flooring Staining

Unfinished maple timber has a creamy colour, lighter than oak and pine. This is one of the reasons that type of flooring will absorb stain colours in a lighter shade than other species, being a bit unpredictable. Maple is also very sensitive to abrasives used in floor sanding, to get a smooth finish - the finest abrasives would need to be used. Experienced fitters, however, know that the finer the surface remains, the less absorbent becomes the stain/grain.

What Colours You Will See With Our Service?

The following set of wood stain colours we keep available:

  • Morrells Light-Fast Stains
    • Yellow
    • Plum Mahogany
    • Honey Pine
    • Wenge
    • New Rosewood
    • Golden Oak
    • Walnut
    • New Medium Oak
    • Darkrich Mahogany
    • Teak
    • New Light Oak
    • Dark Oak
    • Red
    • Natural Mahogany
    • Brown Mahogany
    • New Green
    • Jacobean
    • Black
    • Antique Pine
    • Yew
  • Osmo Transparent
    • Clear
    • Lightly Steamed Beech
    • Light Oak
    • White
    • Granite Grey
    • Pine
    • Birch
    • Cherry
    • Mahogany
    • Cognac
    • Ebony
    • Oak
    • Walnut
    • Oak Antique
  • Morrells Scandi
    • Dark Wenge
    • Mahogany
    • Walnut
    • Dark Oak
    • Wild Cherry
    • Wenge
    • New Rosewood
    • American Black Walnut
    • Medium Oak
    • Light Oak

 
What are the different types of wood floor stains?

The different types of wood floor stains vary greatly in hue and range from light to dark. The most common types are water-based, oil-based and active stain.

  • Water-based stains are a combination of pigment and binder that is suspended in water, and they tend to be fast drying, as well as very low in odour. Water-based stains in most cases will require a Solvent Based Finish and Solvent Based Stains are safe to be recoated with Water Based Finishes i.e. Bona, Junckers and Loba lacquers.
  • Oil-based stains contain either natural or synthetic oils in combination with pigments and binders, resulting in a much slower drying process, more odour, but more longevity and depth of colour.
  • Active stains are a combination of pigments, oils, waxes, resins and other elements that are cured using an acidic compound such as hydrochloric acid - these typically provide the darkest colours available and great depth of tone while offering excellent durability.

Depending on the wood species being stained, all three types of wood floor stains can be used to create stunning looks ranging from rustic to modern with a variety of options for customising the overall look.

How do I apply wood floor stain?

Applying wood floor stain is an easy but important process for preserving the surface of your wood flooring. Before beginning the application process, you'll want to make sure that your surface is clean and free from dust and debris. If not, use a vacuum or broom to remove any dirt or dust particles from the surface. Next, test a small area to determine what kind of finish you'd like. Make sure to choose a colour that matches your existing flooring.

When it comes time to apply the wood floor stain, begin in one corner of the room and work in smooth strokes with a brush or roller. For best results, apply a thin layer of stain in the direction of the grain and make sure all areas are covered evenly. Once you reach the end of the area, allow it to dry before continuing on to another area of the room. You may need several coats in order to get an even finish - wait at least 4-6 hours between coats so that each one can fully dry before applying another layer.

When finished applying the wood floor stain, be sure to seal it with a protective sealant or polyurethane coating. This will help protect your floors from wear and tear while maintaining their beautiful appearance for years to come!

What are some common wood floor staining mistakes?

Wood floor staining mistakes are surprisingly common, even for experienced DIYers and professionals.

  • Using the wrong type of stain or sealant, which can cause discolouration and uneven colouration.
  • Not thoroughly prepping the floor, which can lead to adhesion issues and peeling.
  • Applying too much stain, which can lead to a muddy appearance and blotchiness.
  • Incorrectly believe that multiple coats of sealant will produce a better finish - however, this can actually lead to an unnatural-looking finish that doesn't showcase the wood's natural beauty.
  • Don't allow enough time for the stain to fully dry before sealing it with a top coat - this increases the chances of bubbling and cracking down the line from any minor movement in the subflooring.
  • Underestimate how much work sanding requires - oftentimes, people will rush through it leaving behind residual dust which will interfere with the proper absorption of stains into the wood fibres.

Taking time to properly prepare your floor by sanding, vacuuming up dust particles, and cleaning it before staining will help you achieve a beautiful result with minimal effort.

What are the most common wood floor stains?

Wood floor stains are a popular flooring option for homeowners looking to add character and colour to their homes without having to completely replace the floors. The most common wood floor stains come in a variety of colours, from deep, dark stains to light and bright ones. Depending on the type of wood and its finish, different types of stains may be available. Some of the most popular stain options include penetrating oil-based stains, water-based polyurethane finishes, acid-curable lacquers, and waxes.

Penetrating oil-based stains are the best choice for woods that have already been sealed or finished because they will not significantly alter the existing finish. Water-based polyurethane finishes typically provide a durable, fade-resistant finish with slight colour changes over time. Acid-curable lacquers can provide an antique look by adding a yellowish hue to wood floors while waxes can help fill in small gaps and protect against scuffs and scratches. No matter which type of wood floor stain is chosen, it is important to ensure that proper cleaning techniques are used in order to preserve the quality of the stain over time.

Call Us For Advice

Our flooring service comes with obligation-free site visit, quick quotations and free advice. Give us a call on 020 88309782 to speak to a member of our staff, who can arrange for a free assessment of your floor sanding or wood floor fitting service at a convenient for you time.




FlooringFirst! Services
158 Coles Green Road
London, NW2 7HW
T: 020 88309782