I have a dilemma. I just purchased a 1920 home that has the original fir wood floors. They are being refinished and need to be stained today. I had it in my head that I wanted a dark walnut/espresso stain until I saw the natural wood all sanded down. They are really cool looking. Now I’m not sure what to do, my original dark stain idea, which I think would look really great, or just the natural wood show through, which would look great too.
Anyone out there with stained or natural old fir floors?
I restored an 1875 farmhouse in Ontario where the fir floors had been painted with red barn paint. PIA to strip. Anyhow when they were done, they also had a spalted effect having been carpeted and suffered some condesation damage from under the carpet. I left them clear stained - very cool, and the lighter floors kept the room looking open. Going to a dark stain will make the room feel smaller, and make furniture matching and paint choices a little more restricted. FWI
w, I had about 2400 sq ft of this stuff, so we are talking all rooms except the kitchen. I liked the warm but lighter effect. However it really is a matter of personal taste.
I had my heart set on dark stain, until I saw how beautiful the wood is. The floors were carpeted as well and they have a lot of natural bruising and aging that actually looks really cool.
We have a dark wood stain, but we have a ton of windows and light colors on our walls. I think if there’s a chance that the dark wood will make the place look too dark, then stick to the clear. Also, since you love the look of them now then how can you go wrong with keeping it that color.
Well, I do cabinetry as well, and my general philosphy is to let the wood speak for itself. If you floors are really beautiful, I would let them be clear. Stain was really invented so you could take common, cheaper woods (pine, poplar, ash, oak) and make them look like something more exotic and expensive (walnut, mahogany, cherry etc). Generally when I design furniture, I will use natural woods rather than stain for effect. The only exception to that is when I need a veneered plywood (say for a backing board for a cabinet - I may stain that to a matching or contrast colour.
Keep it natural, I think it speaks to the history of the house.
Whilst the darker stain may be more in charector of the 1920’s house _ I think a much lighter stain or just clear coat will be more pleasing to modern day living. Good Luck
I guess it depends on the boards themselves. If you’re going for the more modern look, go dark. If you’re diggin’ the aged look (sounds like you are) - go light. Do a natural stain, not clear. The natural brings out the grain while not hiding the beauty of the aged wood. I love the old nail heads, chipped boards etc. - Go natural stain, with a few good coats of urathane.
Go with your gut on this one. I’m with jriosa in the “let the wood speak for itself.” Remember, too, that nothing is permanant. To change it you only have to do the work or spend the money. I would also like to see a picture.
I’m no expert here, but stay clear to let the natural floor shine. As we were walking to work thismorning I noticed that a house that was redoing it’s porch over the last month or so. I was watching over time as they were building it and the natural wood colour looked really nice. This morning I see they have stained it brown, now it looks like crap.
I refinished all my floors – a face nailed, thin stripped yellow oak. What a pain. Anyway, I went with a very light oak stain just to make the grain pop out a bit, then clear coated with multiple coats of poly. They look awesome. The wood has darkened a bit with age, I assume yours would too…
No help to you, but we just bought a 1920’s house as well. Wood floors have been recently done throughout, except the master bedroom. We just finished the renovating and painting this week, and stained them. We went clear since this is the same as the rest of the house, and it is gorgeous.
I do like the dark stain look too though.
If I’m leaning one way, its to go with the advice that you let the wood speak for itself.
Our house, built in 1914, has fir floors in the 4 upstairs bedrooms. They had the original dark varnish, so dark and cloudy that you could barely see the grain. I ended up having to use a stripping product prior to using the floor sander because I was trashing too many sander belts. Be careful if you are using a floor sander because fir is lot softer than hardwoods and a lot less forgiving. I used a clear product called Gym Seal which is also used on maple gym floors. Really brings out the beauty of the wood, and still looks great after 10 years. I used theat satin finish so it’s not too shiny.
I went with the natural. It was a little shocking as the house I’m selling has 3 year old cherry floors that I had installed. There is a big difference between new cherry and 90 year old fir. I think it will look great once I get my furniture moved in though. The exception is a wonky transition piece between the dining/living room. The floor guy said there is a 1/2" diffenece in height between the two. I need to explore some options for making it look better.
Hey Erin, I just got to the bottom of the thread to add to the “keep it natural” side and I found you did! Wood is so beautiful in all it’s varieties it’s a crime to try to make it look like somthing else. Congrats on the new house, in true ST tradition you must post pics once the floor is dry.
