Louisville: 502.968.8858
Our Favorite Stains For Unfinished Hardwood Floors
If there’s one thing I know, hardwood floors simply give that feel of class, sophistication, and beauty that can only be described as timeless.
Today, I’d like to discuss one of the aspects of unfinished hardwood floors – its versatility. I am, of course, speaking on the fact that it can be stained to a color of your choosing, and in this blog post, we’ll go over a few of my personal favorites that I’ve come across while working for my father at his home remodeling business.
The Product & Its Many Colors
My father holds the brand, Minwax, with the highest regard. In fact, that’s literally the only stain he uses, no matter what the piece. Now, I can go ahead and tell you that this is for good reason. It just coats SO darn well.
To be specific, the product he uses has been coined Minwax Wood Finish™, and it is available in no less than 26 colors. Talk about a variety, right? Sidenote: Where it does coat beautifully with just one application, for best results you should apply two. It will bring out the richness in the color, and you can just thank me later.
Dark Walnut Stain
There’s something about darker hardwood floors that I really appreciate. To me, Dark Walnut brings out the texture in this style of flooring. It’s rich. It’s long-lasting. It exudes that feeling that I mentioned earlier.
And, let me tell ya, if you’re one to open up the windows on a warm, gorgeous days, the way natural light hits this color is simply mesmerizing. Dark tones, bright smiles with these stains. Outstanding.
English Chestnut Stain
Ah, the traditional approach. Whenever I think of a stained floor, this is what comes to mind because it seems like the “tried and true” approach, if I’m being honest.
Not to say that it’s boring or timid in showing its flavor, but it’s just been known to get the job done — which is simply to accentuate the grain of the unfinished hardwood — much like the “Natural” stain color would, if you know what I mean. A bit of a reddish hue, this color works wonders in colonial-style houses. Lovely.
Ipswich Pine Stain
I have to admit, every time I read the color of this stain, I think of the movie, “The Covenant,” an extremely underrated movie about a batch of brothers who are considered descendants of the “Witches of Ipswich.”
Anyway, sorry for that little tidbit, just sayin’. Back to the blog. This color has a yellowish hue to it that I really admire. It’s nearly like “Natural” because of how light it is, but it exhibits something different, a lovelier feel in my opinion. This stained floor will work wonders underneath darker furniture. Oh, yes.
Jacobean Stain
Ah, my favorite, which is why I saved it for last. Now, remember how I mentioned that I like darker colored hardwood floors? Well, this is IT. No, not the clown. Let’s not go down that road. We’ll stick to these floors.
Number one, how legit is that name? Go ahead and say it, like, three times. Jay-CO-Bean. So cool. I just love how incredibly RICH this color is. The dark swirls, smooth blend of lighter tones, and it’s ability to go anywhere.
Alright, folks, there’s a little insight into some of my favorite stain colors! If it were me, I’d STRONGLY consider the Jacobean if it blends well with the style of your home and everything.
For something a bit lighter, hit up good ole Ipswich, or throw all of my words in the trash and pick from the other 21 colors. But I will say and will suggest once more, Minwax is definitely the way to go. Have fun this Spring, be safe, and stay blessed!
Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are one of the leading providers of kitchen cabinets, tile, flooring, windows and doors in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design comes as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients, home improvement pros & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement, we hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written by: Chris Chamberlain
Ya know, in my 25 years, I’ve learned a few very necessary things when it comes to learning about new concepts, ideas, or ideologies. This was especially the case when attending college, trying to acquire enough knowledge as I possibly could to generate good study material, take meticulous notes, so I could breeze through a Final or ensure that my 10-page paper included crisp, clear thoughts to get a certain message across.
One of these highly necessary, often pivotal methods was knowing when and who to ask for help. It was easy for me to think that I could make straight A’s on my own, that I could push myself as an individual to fulfill the requirements it took to achieve that perfect score on an exam or essay. The same goes for planning your kitchen renovation. Sure, you may have what it takes to DIY it, from start to finish. But take note of your resources, the kitchen designers. During this post, I’ll explain why you should work with one.
So, there you have it, folks. Five legitimate reasons why you should work with a kitchen designer. And they’re all true, hardcore basis in fact, and I assure you that if you use this resource wisely that you’ll come to appreciate the remodeling industry just a little bit more. Our kitchen designers are friendly, fun to work with, compassionate, and possess a grand knowledge of their niche.
If you or someone you know is planning or has even mentioned a renovation, let them know that they can get a 
[/bscolumns]
[/bscolumns]
Character Maple or Hickory: Hands down, without question, the most expensive. This species sports a strong grain, making it solid and extremely durable. It has a rustic, or country, look that is highly sought after, but at a steep price. 
Cherry: This is the more traditional approach, and definitely more expensive than most. A cherry wood species stains magnificently, going on smooth and easy to soak in. Whereas some other wood might take a few coats, this one reveals an outstanding, fine finish with one. It has warmer, red tones and tends to darker over time. 
Maple: Cost-effective, and paints quite nicely. It can also be updated! Although, there’s less grain in this species, it is a fine one for your money. 
Oak/Ash: Another traditional look, and relatively inexpensive as well. The grain shows right through this wood species, tends to be a bit rustic, and can also be updated! 
Medium-density fiberboard (MDF): This very affordable species is a painted option only, hence the low cost. But for your money, it’s an excellent option and looks great in any kitchen.
Laminate: Another more traditional approach, ranging from a simple design to contemporary. But be careful, this species does not do well next to heat and tends to yellow if it’s set to close to an oven. 
Thermofoil: Your wallet will love this option. It’s only available in white or linen, and is yet another wood that cannot withstand excessive heat.
Standard Stain: Undoubtedly, the most cost-effective approach. It would be as if you bought some cabinets and applied the stain yourself. With this finish, the cabinet sides may have a laminated end that coordinates. 
Special Stain/Paint: This process is a bit more difficult than merely applying some stain, but the finish is that much better. Visually appealing, noticeable, but the sides need to be skinned to match, adding to the cost.
Paint Stain with Glaze: Painted cabinets are a hot commodity right now, and can make your kitchen a little bit brighter. By adding a glaze to stain or paint, the finish draws out the finer details. 
Finishing Techniques: Now depending on your budget, one of these features is an excellent finishing touch. Using a technique such as weathering, or the Vintage look adds character and lovely style, but of course, all at a nice price, too.
