Changing the colour of a hardwood floor
Going from yellowed honey oak to natural, from orange to dark, or from dark back to light, with samples on your own floor first.
How a colour change works
Changing colour means sanding the floor completely to bare wood, so all the old finish and stain are gone. Then stain goes on, followed by the finish coats. Before the whole floor is stained, samples go down on a sanded section so you can see the real colour in your own light.
What your species will do
- Red oak takes stain evenly and hides a lot. Its pinkish undertone can shift cool grey stains slightly green, so sample first.
- White oak has a cooler, more neutral base and is the easier oak for greys and modern naturals.
- Maple resists stain and can go blotchy with darker colours. Clear or very light finishes suit it best, and dark colours need extra prep.
Going lighter
Sanding removes old stain, but wood also darkens with age. You can't make an old floor lighter than the bare wood itself. A water-based clear finish stays closest to the raw colour; oil-based finishes add an amber tone.
Price
Typically $5.00 to $7.00 per square foot for sanding, staining and finishing.
Other work we do
Sanding and refinishing
Full sand to bare wood, then three coats of finish.
Screen and recoat
A fresh coat of finish on floors that are dull but not damaged.
Stair refinishing
Treads sanded and finished, risers painted, carpet removed.
Dust-contained sanding
Sanders hooked to high-capacity vacuums that capture most of the dust.
Board repair
Replacing pet-stained, water-damaged or broken boards.
Engineered hardwood
Checking the wear layer first, then recoat or light sand.
Get a price for your floor
Tell us the rooms and square footage. A refinisher gets back to you within one business day with a price, and can book a visit to confirm it.