Tips & Tricks Archives | GC Flooring Pros

How To Match Wood Floor Colors To Walls (+ 7 Great Color Ideas)

May 11, 20230

Have you ever walked into someone’s home and instantly felt a sense of warmth, coziness, or drama? The way a room is designed and decorated can have a huge impact on how we perceive it. One of the most important elements in any room design is the color scheme.

In this blog, we will discuss how (and why) to match wood floor colors to walls and provide you with 7 great color ideas that can transform your home into a place that inspires and nurtures your soul.

How To Match Your Wood Floor Colors To Walls: Color Theory

Let’s discuss the basics of color theory. Color theory is a set of principles used to understand how different colors relate to each other. It involves understanding the color wheel and the relationships between colors.

The color wheel is a visual representation of the primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. Secondary colors are created by mixing primary colors. For example, orange, green, and purple are the secondary colors. Tertiary colors are created by combining a primary color with a secondary color.

When it comes to matching wood floor colors to walls, you should consider the mood and atmosphere that you want to create in the room. Warm colors like red, orange, and yellow can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Cooler colors like blue and green can create a more calming and soothing atmosphere. Neutral colors like beige, cream, and gray can provide a subtle and sophisticated backdrop for other elements in the room.

Complementary vs Contrasting Color Choices

There are two main approaches to matching wood floor colors to walls: complementary and contrasting. Complementary color schemes involve pairing colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel.

For example, green is opposite red on the color wheel, so they are complementary colors. Contrasting color schemes involve pairing colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel. For example, blue and green are adjacent to each other on the color wheel, so they are contrasting colors.

Now that we have a basic understanding of color theory, it’s also important to know and understand the undertones of your hardwood floors in order to properly select a coordinating wall color.

How To Determine Hardwood Floor Undertones

To determine the undertones of your hardwood floors, you can use the following steps:

Clean your hardwood floors: Before you can determine the undertones of your hardwood floors, you need to clean them thoroughly. Use a hardwood floor cleaner and a mop to remove any dirt, grime, or debris that may be on the surface of your floors.
Examine your hardwood floors in natural light: Once your floors are clean, examine them in natural light. Stand in the room and observe the color of your hardwood floors in natural light. This will help you see the true color of your floors without any artificial lighting.
Look for warm or cool tones: Look for warm or cool tones in your hardwood floors. Warm tones will have a yellow, red, or orange tint, while cool tones will have a blue or gray tint.
Consider the species of wood: The species of wood used for your hardwood floors can also affect the undertones. For example, red oak has warm undertones, while white oak has cool undertones.
Use a color chart: You can also use a color chart to determine the undertones of your hardwood floors. Hold the color chart next to your floors and compare the colors to see which ones match.

By using these steps, you can determine the undertones of your hardwood floors and select paint colors that complement them.

Let’s dive into some great color options!

7 Great Color Ideas For Your Wood Floors And Walls

Neutral on neutral

If you’re looking for a sophisticated and timeless look, consider pairing neutral wood floors with neutral walls. For example, you could pair light wood floors with cream or beige walls. This creates a subtle and understated backdrop for other design elements in the room, like furniture, artwork, and accessories.

Cream and gray

If you want to add some subtle color to your neutral palette, consider pairing cream wood floors with gray walls. This creates a monochromatic look that is soothing and calming. You can add pops of color with furniture, pillows, and accessories.

Bold and beautiful

If you want to make a statement, consider pairing dark wood floors with bold and bright walls. For example, you could pair dark wood floors with red or navy walls. This creates a dramatic and unforgettable look that is perfect for a statement room like a home office or dining room.

Blue and beige

If you want to create a soothing and calming atmosphere, consider pairing light wood floors with blue walls. For example, you could pair light wood floors with a soft blue-gray or a robin’s egg blue. This creates a beachy and relaxed vibe that is perfect for a bedroom or living room.

White and wood

If you want a clean and modern look, consider pairing white walls with light wood floors. This creates a fresh and airy atmosphere that is perfect for a small space or apartment. You can add pops of color with artwork, furniture, and accessories.

Green and brown

If you want to create a natural and earthy vibe, consider pairing green walls with brown wood floors. This creates a forest-inspired palette that is perfect for a home office or reading nook. You can add plants, natural materials, and other organic elements to complete the look.

Gray and gold

If you want to create a luxurious and sophisticated vibe, consider pairing gray walls with gold wood floors. This creates a chic and glamorous look that is perfect for a formal living room or dining room. You can add metallic accents, like gold or silver, to enhance the effect.

Conclusion

In conclusion, matching wood floor colors to walls is an important aspect of designing any room. Whether you want a cozy and inviting atmosphere or a sophisticated and luxurious vibe, there is a color scheme that can help you achieve your design goals. Consider the mood and atmosphere that you want to create in each room, and use color theory principles to guide your choices.

If you’re not sure which colors to choose or how to pair them together, don’t be afraid to experiment and try out different combinations. You can use online tools, like Pinterest or Canva, to create mood boards and visualize the different color schemes in a room before you begin. You can also consult with a flooring expert for professional advice and guidance.

With the right color scheme and proper maintenance, you can transform your home into a place that inspires and nurtures your soul for years to come!

Bathroom Flooring, About Floors, Blog, Hardwood Flooring, House Renovation, Interior Design, Tips & Tricks

Can You Use Hardwood Flooring in A Bathroom?

January 25, 20220

The hardwood flooring in your bathroom can make a huge impact on the appearance and feel of your space. But you may be wondering if hardwood is right for your situation.

If you’re considering hardwood floors for a bathroom, keep these things in mind:

hardwoods are more susceptible to water damage
hardwoods may require more time and money spent on waterproofing and sealing than other types of flooring
hardwoods may need periodic refinishing to maintain their beauty.

But they offer a great deal of visual appeal and beautiful flooring for years on end if they’re done right.

Overall, we recommend not using hardwood flooring in bathrooms that have a shower or tub and using them with caution and preparation in powder rooms. Read on to learn more.

Hardwood Flooring In A Bathroom Can Add Elegance And Class

The appeal of hardwood floors is hard to argue with. They add a touch of elegance and class to any room. And if you’re looking for that spa-like feeling in your bathroom, hardwood floors may be just what you need.

In fact, hardwood floors are so desirable in a home that they have been shown to increase property values by up to 10%. Another interesting study by the National Association of Realtors has shown that homes with hardwood floors can sell for an average of $5,000 more than homes without. So if you are looking at the installation of hardwood floors from an investment standpoint, it would be hard to go wrong.

However, before making your decision, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of this type of flooring, especially in an area notorious for moisture.

Hardwoods Are Susceptible To Water Damage

One of the main drawbacks to hardwood flooring in a bathroom is that it is more susceptible to water damage than other types of flooring. If your bathroom is not properly sealed with polyurethane, you may find yourself with buckled and warped floors before too long.

In addition, if water does get on your hardwoods, it can cause them to swell and even rot. This is why we do not recommend hardwood floors in a bathroom that contains a shower or bath.

A hardwood floor can be damaged by water from a number of sources, including:

splashing or spilling on the hardwood surface itself
flooding caused by clogging in pipes and drains
condensation that forms under tiles or slabs

However, the most common problem in a bathroom setting is when water is left to stand on the hardwood surface for a long period of time from tub and shower use.

This can lead to stains and warped boards, which will eventually cause other problems for your home.

While we don’t recommend using hardwood in a full bathroom, if you are choosing to do so, there are many different types of hardwoods available now that resist moisture a little better than traditional hardwoods like oak or maple wood. More on that below.

Hardwoods Require Proper Waterproofing

The costs of waterproofing hardwood flooring are also something to consider.

In general, hardwood floors are naturally water-resistant. However, if your bathroom has a hardwood floor, it’s likely that the room will become wet from time to time as a result of splashing or spills on the hardwood surface. We suggest cleaning up spills immediately when they happen and not leaving puddles on the hardwood.

Polyurethane seals the wood and helps make it waterproof. It also serves as a protective coating that hardwood floors need to maintain their beauty and durability over time.

These sealers can be applied by professional hardwood flooring companies or you could choose one of the many water-based polyurethane products available at your local home improvement store and do it yourself.

Hardwoods May Need Periodic Refinishing To Maintain Their Beauty

A hardwood floor that is properly maintained and has a high-quality finish can last for up to 20 years or more before it needs to be refinished. However, if you care for your floors correctly, they will last much longer.

Refinishing hardwood floors is a big job, but it can be worth it to keep your floor looking beautiful for years to come. The basic steps to hardwood floor refinishing are:

sand hardwood floors with a special sander
apply hardwood flooring stain, if desired
finish by applying hardwood floor protective coating

If done correctly, this process can take anywhere from four to eight hours per room depending on the size of your space and how many coats are needed to get an even coat.

What Are The Best Wood Options for Waterproof Hardwood Floors?

Hardwoods that are the least susceptible to water damage are often hardwoods that are naturally more water-resistant. These hardwood floors may include:

Maple (hard, durable).
Hickory (very hard and dense).
Red Oak Wood Flooring (moderately hard but still more resistant to water than most other types of wood flooring)

What About Engineered Hardwoods For Water Resistance?

Engineered hardwoods are great for water resistance because they are constructed from hardwood planks with a veneer of hardwood on top. The hardwood veneer provides the durability that is necessary for high-moisture areas like bathrooms, while engineered hardwoods can help you save money because they require less finishing and sealing than solid wood floors do.

Getting Help With Your Hardwood Floor Purchase

Hardwood flooring is a popular and beautiful choice for many homeowners, but it can also be difficult to choose the right style. There are so many different types of hardwood floors with so many different looks! You have to consider cost, durability, color, and finish when making your selection.

That’s why it can be helpful to get expert advice when choosing hardwood flooring for your home. A professional hardwood flooring company can help you select the right type of wood and the right finish for your specific needs and preferences. They can also give you a quote on how much the installation will cost.

GC Flooring Pros is here to help you make the best decision possible by providing you with professional advice, guidance, and recommendations based on your unique needs. We’re happy to answer any questions about our products or services at any time during your purchase process. Our experts are always available via phone call or email whenever you need them!

If you are in the Dallas, TX area and you would like hardwood flooring installed in your home, we can help with any hardwood style or finish that appeals to you. Request an in-house estimate today!

young worker lining floor with laminated flooring boards

Blog, Floor Care, Laminate Flooring, Recommended Blog, Tips & Tricks, Water Damaged Floors

How to Fix Laminate Flooring That is Lifting [And Why It Happens]

December 1, 20210

Whether you’ve installed it yourself or hired a professional to do it, there’s nothing more disappointing than seeing lifting in your laminate flooring after it’s installed.

If you’re frustrated by lifting or buckling in your laminate floors and want your floors restored to their original beautiful condition, all you need is a bit of time, patience, and elbow grease to get it looking great again.

Here, we’ll teach you how to fix laminate flooring that is lifting in just four easy steps. But first, let’s figure out the root cause.

Why is My Laminate Floor Lifting?

A lifted laminate floor isn’t a one-size-fits-all issue. There are several reasons why your laminate flooring may be lifting in certain areas, and the key to resolving the issue once and for all is recognizing the cause behind it. Once you can identify the weakness in the flooring, you can target it and ensure the problem doesn’t arise again.

From excess moisture to an uneven foundation, here are the main reasons your laminate floor may be lifting. Here are a few.

Underlying Moisture Problem

If there’s excess moisture within the subfloor or the concrete slab on which you’re laying the flooring, the laminate may not lay as flat as you’d like. If it’s more than 6-9% damp, you may need to use a dehumidifier or try to dry out the area before the floor can be laid.

A floor underlayment can avoid this issue, helping keep future problems at bay by protecting the new laminate from additional moisture underneath while also reducing noise.

Not Properly Installed

If laminate flooring is not laid down properly, such as the interlocking pieces not installed precisely, the flooring installed too tight against the wall, or the flooring not adequately acclimated, it may not have the final look you’re hoping for.

If interlocking pieces aren’t connected correctly, gaps can form between the planks, and it can look uneven. If it’s too tight against the wall, it can cause warping or buckling, especially when the indoor humidity or temperature change.

If the laminate isn’t acclimated to the internal temperature and humidity before being laid, it may shrink or grow once laid, causing lifting.

Uneven Subfloor

An uneven surface on the subfloor or concrete slab on which the floor is laid can cause bouncing or lifting. While a self-leveling compound may be able to level concrete slabs, a severely uneven subfloor may need a practiced contractor to fix the issue.

No Expansion Gaps

If no narrow gaps are left at the edges of the laminate pieces, there’s no extra space for swelling as the humidity fluctuates, which may lead to lifting as the seasons change. It’s imperative to leave this tiny bit of space between sections.

How to Fix Lifting Laminate Flooring

Learning how to fix a laminate floor that is lifting all boils down to understanding what’s causing the problem in the first place and using the right technique to target the cause.

If you’re dealing with an uneven subfloor, your solution will look different than if your problem is moisture damage, and so on.

First, ensure you know the source of your issues, and then find the right solution below.

1. Fixing an Uneven Subfloor

If you’ve installed your laminate flooring on a subfloor that is uneven or not level, you’ll want to level out your foundation before you can reinstall your flooring.

To do this, lift up the lifted sections from the floor. Look at the subfloor below it and inspect it to find lifted or depressed areas. Using a sanding machine or grinder, you can even out the surface. If you don’t have the equipment to do this, call your local flooring experts to handle the complicated task of precision sanding and reinstallation.

Before placing the laminate back down on the newly sanded surface, add underlayment to hide imperfections even more, and use a block and mallet to get the floorboards back in their proper places.

2. Fixing Moisture Damage

If your planks are absorbing excess moisture, they can swell and take up more room, thus lifting from the floor. First, find the source of the water. This could be a leak in the ceiling or wall, or it may simply be excess moisture in the home.

A professional can help you locate the source of additional humidity if you can’t find it. Once that root issue is solved, you can remove the portions of the flooring that are lifted, add a moisture-resistant underlayment to prevent excess moisture from leaking in. A moisture meter test can confirm an acceptable moisture content.

3. Fixing Lack of an Expansion Gap

If you didn’t leave an expansion gap before, then you’re looking at the job of removing all your boards and cutting them to include an expansion gap of about ¼ inch. This can be a big undertaking, so calling professionals to handle this re-flooring job might be in your best interest.

4. Consider Getting New Flooring

Most of these solutions involve a great deal of work. While you might have the time or even the skill, it’s a great deal of work that requires close attention to detail and benefits from the years of experience and expertise of flooring specialists. You should consider calling GC Flooring and getting new flooring installed so you can avoid DIY mistakes and get beautiful flooring that lasts.

Contact the Experts

Now that you’ve learned how to fix laminate flooring that is lifting (and discovered that the trick is pinpointing the cause of the lifting in the first place), you can approach your flooring issue with objectivity and understanding.

While you might be tempted to fix the problem on your own, sometimes, the job is more extensive than it seems, and you can benefit from finding a trusted and experienced local specialist to pinpoint your problem and eliminate it at the source.

GC Flooring can help you with your commercial or residential flooring needs and ensure the best results. Contact our team to learn more or get started today.

Floor Care, About Floors, Blog, Hand Scraped Wood Flooring, Hardwood Flooring, How-to, Interior Design, Tips & Tricks

Four steps to expect during the Hardwood Floor Installation process

June 7, 20190

White Oak Hardwood Flooring

Are you considering a flooring upgrade in your home? If you don’t know where to start or feel overwhelmed by the various design, grain, and color choices, take a deep breath because you have come to the right place! At GC Flooring Pros, we will walk with you throughout the entire process, and to give you a heads up, here are four steps that we follow during the hardwood floor installation process, so you know what to expect:

STEP 1: Free In-Home Consultation

Once we set up an appointment, we offer a complimentary in-home consultation. It’s important that we hear your preferences as to the type and style of floors you’re wanting, and so that we can see your space, wall and cabinet colors etc in order that we can offer you the best options to enhance your home. We will also measure the rooms to give you the estimate and bring some different flooring samples. We offer several wood species, plank widths, stain colors, patterns, and designs and typically will bring the most popular choices to start.

STEP 2: Room Preparation

Once you’ve ordered the floors from GC Flooring Pros, and prior to the installation, we will inform you when our expert installers will be coming so that you have ample time to remove all furniture, draperies/curtains, rugs, paintings and all other items from the room. We do offer furniture removal and replacement services which can be discussed at the initial consult.

STEP 3: Installation

During the installation, your home becomes a construction site, so it will inevitably be noisy and disruptive and dusty. It is also advisable to cover up any furniture in nearby rooms, to avoid debris and dust. If we have installed pre-finished floors, you won’t need to go to step 4, and at this time either you or we would proceed to moving your furniture back into your home.

STEP 4: Staining Your Floors

If we have installed unfinished floors, we will then sand, stain, and put polyurethane down. Once the finish is dried, you or we can move your furniture back. We suggest using felt pads under the furniture pieces, to minimize scratches and dents onto your new floors. You can walk on your new finished floors, 48 hours after the last coat of polyurthane has been applied.

Now that you’re aware of the 4 step process of installing hardwood floors in your home, if you have specific questions or would like a complimentary in-home consultation, contact GC Flooring Pros today! We look forward to making your dream floor designs, come alive!

About Floors, Blog, Floor Care, Hand Scraped Wood Flooring, Hardwood Flooring, House Renovation, Recommended Blog, Tips & Tricks

Hand Scraped Hardwood Flooring

January 9, 20190

Hand Scraped Hardwood Flooring

Hand scraped hardwood flooring is a very popular choice for homeowners who are looking to upgrade the design and beauty of their homes. Hand scraped wood has a beautiful, natural texture that brings out the wood’s natural aesthetic beauty and creates a classic, timeless atmosphere of warmth and character. Hand scraped hardwood flooring also has a unique look.

What Is Hand Scraped Hardwood Flooring

Hand scraped is actually just another way to describe hand-sanded floors. Hand-sanding is the process of using heavy-duty sandpaper to wear away at the floor’s surface until it is smooth, and level. Hand scraped hardwood floors are a fairly recent development in the flooring industry, but they have become a favorite for many homeowners over the past decade. Hand-sanded floors fit seamlessly with casual contemporary or shabby chic decor schemes, but their hand scraped texture makes them well suited to formal traditional settings as well

Hand scraped hardwood floors are a current trend that leaves distinct grooves and marks on a floor, giving a room warmth, history, and personality. By opting for hand scraped hardwoods, homeowners can make their brand-new floors look like they’re 100 years old. This style of flooring goes well in any type of home

The surface texture of hand scraped wood (also known as hand sculptured wood) brings out the wood floor’s natural aesthetic beauty and creates a classic, timeless atmosphere of warmth and character. With varying patterns from plank to plank, your home will stand out and be the welcoming space you will want to come home to!

At GC Flooring Pros, we will assist you throughout the entire process of selection (from our numerous styles, species, and colors), installation, and provide you with the tools to care for your hand scraped wood floors so they maintain their beauty and life for years to come.

WINTER FLOORING TRENDS AND DESIGNS

November 28, 20180

Nov 28 Blog Picture

Considering a home improvement project this winter? In 2019 flooring manufacturers will be producing even more looks that will mimic the latest texture trends and the most sought after flooring style. Here are some key flooring options to refresh your space with a new look!

WOOD YOU LIKE THIS?

Hardwood – Wood flooring is available from high-quality manufacturers such as Armstrong, Bella Cera, and Anderson to name a few. Engineered hardwood is manufactured with layers of plywood-like wood. Solid wood flooring is made from traditional hardwood planks made from a single piece of wood. Tuscan Oak, White Oak, Soft Ash Wood are some key trends that are popping off of Pinterest and into homes. What “wood” do you like in your living space?

VINYL ANYONE?

Vinyl flooring is a highly popular option and a great choice and with advanced technology, vinyl manufacturers can create realistic, waterproof floors that look like hardwood, tile or stone. Luxury vinyl plank flooring can be made to look like hand-scraped, exotic wood species and grains. If you want comfort and durability in the high traffic areas of your home, vinyl flooring is a stunning and economical choice!

TILE THIS

If you’re looking for tile that’s softer underfoot, engineered tile is a great option. Your feet will appreciate the more comfortable feel, not to mention it’s easier to maintain and clean.

Today’s many styles and design options can be a reflection of your personality and what feels comfortable and functional for your and your family. As the homeowner, you can elevate the aesthetics of your home, with the upgrade of new floors – be it wood, vinyl, or tile.

At GC Flooring Pros, we are here to help steer you in the right direction and narrow down all those beautiful flooring styles to find the perfect floor for your home, that fits any style, any budget. Tell us what you’re envisioning and let’s make your vision come alive. Call us at:214-814-1170 or click on the link here to receive a free in-home consultation. Let’s create a space you’ll want to come home to!

How-to, Blog, Interior Design, Tips & Tricks

Choosing The Right Floor For Your Home

September 18, 20180

While the floors in your home are important to the look, feel and functionality of your home, choosing the right floor doesn’t have to be an overwhelming process, so here are a few key questions to ask yourself before you start updating your home with brand new floors:

How much traffic do you expect the floor to receive?
Do you have children? (if you have older children, durability may not be that much of an issue)
Do you have pets?
Will the floors get easily wet or dirty?
How often will the floor need cleaning?
What’s your design style? (If you don’t know, we can help!)
What is your budget? (Will you need old flooring disposed of? Do you need extra baseboards?)

Considering your lifestyle, functionality needs, design and budget, will help steer you to the best options for your flooring needs.

For more details, specs and ideas, call GC Flooring Pros today for a free estimate and let’s get started on your dream design for your floors!

About Floors, Blog, Tips & Tricks

Water Damaged Floors

September 10, 20180

If you have water damaged floors and are questioning whether to repair or replace them, we are here to help you through the entire process and make it a worry-free experience.

WOOD

Wood as an organic material absorbs water and moisture due to indoor humidity levels, spills, or in some cases leaks and flooding. The water can cause swelling or cupping of the wood planks. To prevent damage to your floor and decor, it’s expedient to assess if the floors need to be repaired or replaced.

SIGNS OF WATER DAMAGE

Water damage can also seep into the subfloors and can be detected by some telltale signs such as these:

Buckling/Cupping
Musty Odors
Discoloration
Nails popping out
Sagging

If you suspect water damage, the first step is to have the floor’s condition assessed. Call GC Flooring Pros at 214.814.1177 for an estimate, to determine if your floors need to be repaired or replaced.

About Floors, Blog, Carpet Flooring, Tips & Tricks

Choosing the right floor for elderly

August 30, 20170

Aging is a real thing that happens to all of us. With age, our motor skills get sloppier and we become more prone to falls and slips. We also have less energy to spend on mundane tasks like cleaning. The way out is to adjust.
Choosing the right floor will help seniors avoid all these complications in their everyday life.
The ideal flooring material should be soft enough to offer needed support to bones and joints in case of accidents. At the same time, the floor should be relatively easy to maintain since some elderly also struggle with mobility problems.
Here is our overview of the best flooring options for seniors that balance ease of maintenance and safety.

Carpet

Being warm and soft, carpet is often the go to flooring material for children’s rooms. It’s a great flooring choice for elderly for the very same reason. Carpet’s cushioned surface offers much-needed support in case of accidental falls. The warmth it offers underfoot can also be beneficial to elderly, who often experience lack of body heat or have a problem retaining it.

However, carpet flooring might not be the perfect choice for all seniors.
Carpet tends to collect dust particles in the fibers and sets it free every time someone steps on its surface. This can harm the indoor air quality of the space and cause health related issues, especially for seniors dealing with respiratory illnesses.
Maintaining carpet isn’t the easiest of tasks. Because of its structure spills and stains can go deep into the cloth. This can make upkeep difficult for seniors, especially those who experience mobility problems. If not cleaned properly, over time carpet can become a home for bacteria and insects and lead to sanitation problems.

Vinyl Floors

Vinyl is made out of rubber which gives the floor certain flexibility and protective ability in case of accidental slips. Installing additional felt or cork paddings underneath can make the surface even more cushiony.
Caring for a vinyl floor is as easy as it gets. Being a resilient floor it’s almost impenetrable to stains and water. Sweeping on a regular basis goes a long way to keep the floor clean. This makes vinyl flooring a truly hassle-free solution for senior citizen’s flooring needs.
The only drawback installing a vinyl floor has is its impact on the environment.
Vinyl is made from a non-renewable resource. The manufacturing process consumes fuel while setting free toxins and other dangerous byproducts.

Cork Floors

Cork floors are famous for their soft underfoot which is the very thing seniors need.
What’s less known about cork is that in addition to making tumbles and falls less painful it also helps minimize heat loss and outside noise.

Caring for a cork floor is relatively easy as long as the sealant is in place. The cork itself is a porous material, the sealant is what protects its surface from stains and spills. To keep cork floor clean all you’ll need to do is sweep or vacuum on a regular basis.

As in with every porous flooring material the major drawback with cork floors is its ability to soak up liquids. To avoid any damage of the kind, cork floor should be resealed at least once a year.
Because of its softness cork floor can easily be harmed by furniture legs, high heels or any sharp object that could poke or scrape its surface.

tips on how to choose the prfect stain for your hardwood floor

About Floors, Blog, Floor Care, Hardwood Flooring, How-to, Recommended Blog, Tips & Tricks

How to choose the right stain for your hardwood floor

July 9, 20170

Hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to any home. Their timeless and natural look has the power to brighten even the dullest of places. From white oak to Brazilian walnut hardwood floors offer a decent flooring choice for every taste and wallet. However, the species of hardwood isn’t the only thing to determine the appearance of the floor, the stain is just as important.

Not all floors stain the same way

Different wood species come with different natural characteristics. This doesn’t only determine their performance in a certain environment but also dictates how they absorb stain so that using the same stain on two different kinds of hardwood can lead to absolutely non-comparable results. The reason behind this is their contrasting hardness. Some harder woods are denser while others are more porous and soft. This makes it easier for the staining liquid to get into the pores.

To avoid any color inconsistency it’s important to test your stain prior to application. This will give you the advantage of knowing exactly what the stain of your choice will look like on your species of wood. At GC Flooring Pros we test sample spots for our customers to find the perfect match. We only use high-quality wood stains. Some of the colors you may choose from are listed on the DuraSeal website.

Doing a stain sample will help you get the stain color for your specific hardwood species just right without having to play the guessing game.

Stain makes the room

A room is like an organism, it’s an amalgamation of different goods with different purposes that function as one. Ideally, nothing’s out of place and every detail is carefully thought through.
The floor being one of the largest surfaces in a room can greatly affect the dynamics of the space. Wrong stain tone can not only clash with your décor but affect the quality of the time you spend in the room. But the right stain can tie the place together and make your stay more enjoyable. So before making a decision, consider how it will compliment everything else in the room including the wallpaper, furnishings as well as general style and accent colors.

The most popular colors these days are Ebony, Antique Brown, Provincial, Dark Walnut, Medium Brown, Weathered oak and some combinations. If you’re going for a lighter color we suggest using white oak rather than red oak.
To give your hardwood floor an even richer look we use polyurethane varnish.
Keep in mind that the type of polyurethane can affect the color of the stain after application so there is even more reason to do a stain test first. As a general rule, oil based polyurethane tends to darken the wood a bit but it’s slightly better at resisting scratches, moisture and heat when compared with the water-based alternative. Then again, applying a water-based poly won’t lead to any changes in tone and will preserve the wood’s natural tone. You also have to choose a matte, satin, semi-gloss, or gloss polyurethane. Matte and satin are becoming more trendy, we are seeing that wood floor conglomerates do not want as much sheen these days.

Even though choosing the right stain colors can be difficult, there is not much to worry about. With solid or even thicker engineered hardwood floors you can easily refinish them to give the flooring desired tone.
Meanwhile here are some tips to help you find the perfect stain color for your hardwood floors:

Light stain

A lighter stain can help make a dark room appear brighter and more spacious than it really is. If you have dark furniture, installing lighter hardwood with somewhat matching stain will create a beautiful contrast and help your decor stand out. By choosing a lighter stain, you won’t have to clean nearly as often as in the case with dark stained floors since dust is less visible on a lighter surface. However, light stains aren’t as good at hiding hardwood’s natural imperfections as its darker alternatives.
The contrast they create with darker

Medium stain

If you aren’t one for dramatic changes this is the stain for you.
While medium stain won’t really affect the overall colour scheme of the room, it will most certainly compliment many other wooden details in your decor and still help tie the room together. A medium stain is also a reasonable option if you haven’t decided on the look of the space yet and would like to keep as many options for wall & furniture colors open as possible.

Dark stain

Dark stained floors are elegant and will help ground your bright room nicely. The balance between darker bottom and lighter top parts of the room will make the space more inviting and help the accent colors in your interior stand out more. A darker stain is superior for hiding hardwood’s natural flaws but it falls short when dealing with inflicted imperfections like scratches. Pet hair and dust aren’t easy to hide either. In a word, if you have a dog or a small child or expect above average wear because of any other reason it’d be a safer bet to go with lighter stain.

Tips & Tricks

How To Match Your Wood Floor Colors To Walls: Color Theory

Complementary vs Contrasting Color Choices

How To Determine Hardwood Floor Undertones

7 Great Color Ideas For Your Wood Floors And Walls

Neutral on neutral

Cream and gray

Bold and beautiful

Blue and beige

White and wood

Green and brown

Gray and gold