Can you change the colour of a wood floor?

One of the things that often surprises people is just how much difference a new colour can make to an existing wood floor.

You do not always have to live with the colour you have got.

We hear similar comments all the time:

“We love the floor, we just hate the orange colour.”

“Can we make it lighter?”

“Can we get rid of the yellow oak look?”

The good news is that, in many cases, the answer is yes.

If the floor is suitable for sanding, there is often a very good chance the colour can be changed completely.

Generally speaking, colour changes are possible on:

• Solid wood flooring
• Victorian floorboards
• Pine floorboards
• Most engineered flooring with a suitable wear layer

The floor usually needs to be sanded back to bare wood first, then finished with a stain, oil, lacquer or another suitable system depending on the look you want.

Floor colours definitely go in and out of fashion.

A while back, darker walnut shades and glossier finishes were everywhere.

These days, around Taunton and Somerset, we are seeing more homeowners asking for:

• Natural oak tones
• Light Scandinavian colours
• Ultra matt finishes
• Light oak colours
• Slightly whitewashed finishes

The old orange pine and shiny varnish look is definitely not as popular as it once was.

This is probably the colour question we get asked most often.

Quite often, yes.

Older pine floors often turn orange or honey-coloured over the years because of ageing, sunlight and old varnishes.

Once the old finish has been sanded away, they can often be transformed with modern stains and finishes into something much lighter and more contemporary.

It can be a real surprise when the floor underneath is revealed.

Usually, yes.

If the dark colour is mainly in the old finish rather than deep in the timber itself, sanding can remove it and give you a fresh starting point.

Oak is particularly versatile and works well with a wide range of colours and finishes.

Yes, and this is often the easiest change to make.

A light floor can usually be warmed up or darkened quite effectively, as long as the timber is suitable.

Popular options include:

• Smoked oak colours
• Medium oak tones
• Walnut shades
• Rich brown finishes

A darker colour can completely change the feel of a room, especially in larger spaces with plenty of natural light.

Does every type of wood take stain the same way?

No, and this is where experience really matters.

Different timbers absorb stains in different ways.

For example:

Oak

Oak is usually the easiest timber to work with.

It takes colour well and gives you the widest range of options.

Pine

Pine can be a little less predictable and may absorb stain unevenly if it is not prepared carefully.

Maple and beech

Maple and beech are generally harder to stain evenly, so they are often left closer to their natural colour.

That is why testing colours before committing to the whole room is always worth doing.

Sometimes a good sand and a clear modern finish are enough to completely change the look of the floor.

A lot of older floors look much lighter once the old yellowed varnish has been removed.

Often, yes.

If there is enough wear layer to allow sanding, engineered flooring can usually be stained and refinished in much the same way as solid wood.

That is one of the reasons better-quality engineered flooring can offer such good long-term value.

In many cases, yes.

If the floor itself is sound, changing the colour can give you the feel of a new floor without the cost and disruption of replacing it.

We have restored plenty of floors across Taunton and Somerset where the owner thought replacement was the only option, only to find the floor just needed sanding and the right colour choice.

It is worth saying that not every floor can become every colour.

The timber species, grain, age and natural tone will always influence the final result.

The best results usually come from working with the character of the wood, rather than trying to force it into something it does not want to be.

We specialise in helping homeowners make the right choice maintaining wood flooring, with over 15 years experience working with all types of wood flooring. If you are wondering whether your floor could be lightened, darkened or completely transformed, send us a few clear photos, especially close-ups of the surface, any worn areas and, if possible, an edge of the board at a doorway or threshold.

Contact us today for a free quote or to pose us a question.