What is staining?
Staining or dying of wooden floors is the process of changing the natural colour of the floor boards to achieve the desired interior outcome.
It is a floor restoration technique which is applicable to any type of wooden floor, including parquet blocks, solid wood floors, engineered floors and pine floors and it is often done together with other wood floor repairs works. There is a huge pallet of colours available on the market today and choosing the perfect colour might be a difficult task.
It should also be noted that the final outcome of staining will highly depend not only the type of flooring and the type of wood but also on the age of your floors. For example, the same type of stain may deliver different results if it is applied on newly installed oak floorings as compared to oak flooring that has been there for many years. Therefore, to avoid disappointment, we always provide samples of various stains on your particular floors once they have been sanded. By doing this, we give you the opportunity to see exactly how particular colours will appear on your floors and make your informed decision.
The Difference Between Staining and Painting
The big differences between staining and painting are rooted in the strength of the overall impression. Staining will change the wood’s colour but you will have no trouble understanding which material is below. You can see the grain, the knots, and the textures despite the change. While the effect isn’t as strong as painting, a stained floor will preserve its colour much better, be more resistant to damage and will last longer. Many people seem to think so because it is it the most popular choice.
The painting, on the other hand, will completely cover the existing finish and then you cannot see the wood itself. Painting provides a more complete and thorough change. It is also easier to remove if you are unhappy with the result. One of its biggest problems is its durability. Chips and cracks appear fairly often. Any damage suffered by a painted floor will also be much more noticeable. In general, painted floors are considered the less attractive option because of how fragile they are.
Hire The Experts
To properly stain a hardwood you need a real expert. Skilled floor men are sometimes hired specifically for this part of the floor restoration process. It is almost an art by itself because getting the right colour is not an easy task to accomplish. What makes it so hard? Well, usually people aren’t after just some colour. They want something specific. Something that is popular right now or will fit the interior in a certain way.
Many factors can affect how the floor will look after the stain is applied. For example, the type of wood is a factor. Some species like birch and maple are close-pored and do not absorb the stain well. It can become quite a mess if an unskilled person attempts to work with them. Another factor is the finish. Oils and oil based finishes turn yellow as the time passes. If you have a grey floor, this type of finish will slowly change its colour as it ages which is obviously unacceptable. Professionals use water based lacquers which are more transparent and won’t affect the stain.
The quality of the sanding and buffing will also have an impact. Stained floors tend to highlight any imperfections in the grain, especially when exposed to sunlight. If the sanding is not at a professional level you may want to avoid staining completely or any flaws will be exposed for everyone to see.
Some or our Staining Work
