Types of Wood Stains

Wood Stain is essentially a paint for woods. Many people stain their hardwood flooring when they are refinishing their floors or changing the style of their floors. Continue reading this article for more information on the types of wood stains available, colors and variations of wood stains, and applying stains. 

Water-based vs. Oil-based Stains

While there are many different types of stains, the two main types are water-based and oil-based. 

Water-based stains. This type of stain is fast drying and is clear and glossy in its finish. This type of stain is best when you want to preserve the natural color of your hardwood flooring and need a solution quickly.

Oil-based stains. This type of stain takes a longer time to dry, but because of this property, the brush strokes when applying the stain can be better manipulated. This stain typically has amber hues. 

Shades of Stains

Just like paints, wood stains come in a wide variety of colors. Whether you like traditional light or dark wood colors, or want to go with a contemporary color such as red or purple, there’s a stain to match your style.

Applying Stains

Applying stains is a fairly simple concept, however, it is a relatively complex process. Many homeowners will try and D.I.Y. (do it yourself) the project. For those looking to better understand how to apply stain to hardwood floors, review the following steps below:

Sand the floors. Your current flooring needs to be sanded down in order to remove the old finish and prep the hardwood flooring for staining. 

Remove excess dust and dirt. This is an important step as dust and dirt, when not removed, will cause impurities with the stain and overall look of the new finish. Using a vacuum or similar product, gently remove all dust and dirt from the wood’s surface.

Condition the wood. This step in the process is only applicable if you are applying a stain that is not water-based. To condition the wood, also known as water popping, run a wet cloth or mop over the surface of the floors. This process is crucial because it causes the wood grain to raise, which helps the stain take to the wood. 

Apply the stain. Evenly roll your desired stain over the floors. Be careful not to apply too much or too little stain to an area. Remember to also properly vent the room you are staining to prevent the build up of fumes and help in the drying process. It’s important to note that wood stain needs time to dry, even quick drying stain, so be strategic in how you stain the floors so that there is no disruption to the drying process. 

Allow the stain to dry. Read the directions of the stain carefully to determine the most accurate drying time for your floors. Water-based stains dry faster than oil-based stains, but all stains need time to dry. 

Finish the floors. Some stains come as an “all-in-one” stain, meaning there is no need to finish the stain afterwards. If that is not the case, be sure to coat your new floors with a protective coating to prevent damage to your new floors. Let the top coat dry completely before walking on the surface or moving furniture and decor back into the area. 

Remember, when in doubt, let the experts at Zack Hardwood Flooring help you with all your hardwood flooring stain needs. Our team of professionals can help you select the right stain for your new floors! Give us a call today!