Hardwood flooring is typically made from deciduous trees like oak, maple and walnut. Knowing the type of wood flooring you have can affect the type of stain you use. While oak and walnut take stains very easily, maple wood floors require a wood conditioner, several coats of stain or a thicker stain to achieve the desired color.
You can rejuvenate your tired, worn hardwood floors with a beautiful new finish, provided you have the right tools, sufficient elbow grease, time, patience, and a healthy attention to detail. Learn how to stain and varnish hardwood floors. Our guide covers tools, steps, and tips for a beautiful DIY finish.
What is Wood Floor Staining? Wood floor staining is the process of applying a pigmented liquid to wooden floors to change their color while still allowing the natural grain and texture of the wood to show through. Unlike paint, which covers the surface completely, stain penetrates into the wood fibers. In this article, we compare the best stains for hardwood floors in 2025 with a deeper look at the newer, alternative wood floor stains available on the market.
By the end, you will know how each stain compares in dry time, application, VOCs, coverage, and more, so you can choose the best stain and right color for your clients and business. Free Boston Hardwood Floor Refinishing Guide: Professional advice on how to choose between the 5 groups of hardwood floor stain colors! The same hardwood floor can have various looks over its lifetime with different refinishing and staining techniques.
If you're looking to change the look of your hardwood floors, consider a wood floor stain to breathe new life into your home. Here are some things to consider when picking a new hardwood floor stain. Sand the floor.
This step is crucial to perform correctly because the stain will oftentimes reveal any sanding/screening imperfections once it dries. The grit you start out with will depend on how damaged the floor is and what is needed to get down to smooth, bare wood. Transform your old wood floors with our complete guide to staining.
Master preparation, color selection, and lasting protection for a durable finish. Unleash the beauty of your space by learning how to stain hardwood floors. Whether old or new, perfectly stained floors can add character and class to a room.