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Meg Leonard | Design & Lifestyle Co.

Projects

Our White Oak Floors: The Natural Finish/Stain Decision

March 15, 2022

In case you missed it, I shared all about the reason why we chose to install new flooring, how we landed on White Oak, and, some initial details of the project here.

We started the project on a Friday, and the install was complete within just a few days – making it pretty easy to live and work through it all. The crew’s level of detail was fascinating to peep in on – from their process to precision. We were able to install them over the existing flooring by cutting the existing trim and sliding the wood under. They took a nail and glue approach to guarantee that the boards are not going anywhere!

Sharing a quick video here to show the value in working with a skilled crew and investing in real wood floors:

 

We were able to line up our stair master contractor at the same time, so they began on the tread and railing replacement as soon as the flooring install was complete. More on that project when it’s done, but sharing as I highly highly recommend syncing these projects to speed up your overall timeline!

The following week, finishing began. Another talented crew came through for very meticulous filling and sanding days to allow for a maximized finish. We then received samples, and this is when the pressure hit! From the start, we wanted a neutral and natural look. Not too red, not too yellow, and, not too gray. I had shared inspiration photos with my contractor and got a first round of samples. They didn’t quite give us a confident feeling, so we asked to see some sealers and stains. Check them all out, unfiltered, below:

 

 

From top to bottom, left to right, here are the names if you are exploring future seal or stain options:

  1. Pall-x Clear Seal
  2. Arboritec Genuine 5 Seal
  3. Bona Amber Seal
  4. Bona Nordic Seal
  5. Bona Intense Seal
  6. Bona Classic Seal
  7. Bona Neutral Seal
  8. DuraSeal Weathered Oak Stain
  9. DuraSeal Silvered Gray Stain
  10. Bona Drifast Stain

 

The Finish We Chose

You may not be aware of the fact that white oak floors do not need to be stained. The stain alone does not protect the floors, just adds color. The seal is what protects your floors from traffic and spills. The choice of going with a stain is a choice based on preference, typically wanting to significantly alter a tone or darkness. Even sealers slightly alter the color of the floor, but they do finish them while maintaining their natural look.

It was the first time we really felt pressure and a second-guessing feeling during the project given that its an expensive, permanent decision. After many back and forth conversations and viewing from every angle, we kept coming back to Bona Classic Seal. It was the most muted in terms of undertones and didn’t pull the pink as much in some of the boards. It could get us the look we love in bright morning light to the evening glow we enjoy. You can see that for example, Weathered Oak was too gray and Amber Seal was pulling too yellow.

Lastly, the benefit of seal over stain is that it dries in just hours with little smell, so we were really pulling for a seal to be the winner!

Here is how it was applied and finished:

  1. Floors were sanded to 100 grit and super flat
  2. 1 Coat Bona Classic Seal
  3. 2 Coats of Arboritec Classic 5

The last step is a protectant finish that is water based, so it won’t yellow the floors the way an oil based finish does. With research and recommendation from my contractor, a high quality water based poly will amber significantly less and this particular one holds up well to high traffic and pets. All wood floors will scratch, but this option gives us the best chance against UV ray exposure, traffic and nails from dogs.

 

The Outcome

To be honest with you, I very much had initial shock and wasn’t sure if the tone of the seal fit my vision. I had nailed down two photos and with all the research that I had done, I knew exactly what I wanted. When I saw it everywhere, I felt it was too light and yellow. However, it was a cloudy end of day lighting condition. My contractor was a total champ and came right over the next morning to talk it through and made me feel better about the situation.

Essentially, all of these natural sealed floors look different in ALL lighting conditions and even day by day. I knew this, but not to the extent. We went over photos of people’s homes at different angles and times of day, and it looked like entirely different finishes. Now that I’ve had a few days to live with it and see all the lighting conditions, they are truly perfect for our home. I wouldn’t change what we did throughout the process, but this is a reminder to always speak up about how you’re feeling. As long as you are respectful, your contractor should help you navigate it as they want you to be happy!

We have a long  to do – updating all of the trim work and painting walls, so this isn’t a stunning before and after (yet!) but here are some of the spaces to see just how far we have come already! Trust the process and my vision 🙂 

You can see here that they add shoe moulding to finish off where the floor is placed under the existing trim. Once all of this is painted, it will all come together!

 

Here is an iPhone shot to really capture true coloring, but even so doesn’t quite align with real-life. The beauty of these floors!

 

Final Afters

 

Questions?

I tried to keep this brief, while providing enough detail for someone going through the process. It can definitely be overwhelming, but 100% know this was best for us over LVP. You immediately feel and see the difference as soon as you step into a room, and I know this is the start of making our home complete. 

If you have any questions at all, or, are local – I am happy to pass on who we used!

 
What’s next?

Painting the first floor to begin furnishings will be key! We’ll be selecting samples over the next week and identifying contractors to help spray our plantation shutters. Update – you can view all of our latest projects on this summarized post: One Year in Our Home ! Let me know if you have any questions via comments, email or Instagram DM.

 

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  • Mary and Ted Hassler
    March 21, 2023

    This is great article. What grade of wood flooring did you use please.

    Reply
    • Meg
      Mary and Ted Hassler
      March 21, 2023

      Hi there! We used better grade. Have a great day!

      Reply
  • Remington
    March 27, 2023

    Was this plain sliced? And I saw in your response it was better grade. Were you happy with the quality of the boards? We are in this process now and having a really hard time picking a cut and grade, it’s hard to know what it will look like when it’s larger than a small sample.

    Also is there a reason you didn’t use a Bona sealer? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Meg
      Remington
      March 27, 2023

      Hi there! Unfortunately, I don’t know these details. My contractor sources from a yard and I trust his expertise so did not get into the weeds. I wouldn’t really go off of a sample as raw, real wood differs regardless as every tree has its own character. The beauty of going with real wood is the differences in pieces and the character, so if you are looking for something that is 1:1 and with a sample, you may want to go with LVP. You sort of have to trust the process with real wood, as even the seal/stain varies on each board! As for the sealer, this was their best recommendation for long term protection. Best of luck!

      Reply
  • Jess
    April 12, 2023

    Wondering what shade of the Bona Natural seal you used? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Meg
      Jess
      April 12, 2023

      Hi there! It is the classic seal not natural 🙂 Best – Meg

      Reply
  • Silvia
    April 17, 2023

    Looks beautiful!! What size planks did you choose?

    Reply
    • Meg
      Silvia
      April 17, 2023

      Thank you! We went with 5 inch. You can find all details going into the project here: https://www.megleonard.co/our-new-home-first-project-reveal-new-flooring/

      Reply
  • Cait
    May 7, 2023

    Hi there! This looks amazing. Just curious how long the floor needed to cure after it was done before you could move your furniture and rugs in? I’ve heard it’s much longer with a water based finish vs oil based, but wondering what the reality was and whether it’s holding up for you so far. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Meg
      Cait
      May 7, 2023

      Hi there! Thank you. We only had to wait a couple of days! Everything has held up as expected!

      Reply
  • Wendy
    May 19, 2023

    Hi – trying to choose a product – yours looks so nice.
    In your 1.2.3. steps you list “Bona ClassicSeal” but in your response to someone you say “Bona NaturalSeal” – can you confirm which it is?

    Thank you!
    Wendy

    Reply
    • Meg
      Wendy
      May 20, 2023

      Apologies, I was reading that comment too fast and have edited my reply. It is Classic as the post says!

      Reply
  • Wendy
    May 23, 2023

    Thanks so much for the clarification! 🙂 I am copying you!

    Reply
  • Sandy
    July 11, 2023

    Such great info. Thank you. What sheen is the arboritec classic 5? I cannot seem to find info about it.

    Reply
    • Meg
      Sandy
      July 12, 2023

      Hi there! That is the product and all the info I have on it, I would suggest reaching out to the brand!

      Reply
  • Natalie
    July 20, 2023

    We’re currently going through the flooring seal/stain color debate and this was so helpful. Thank you! Can you share what color the wall paint and built-ins are in the last photo in the post? I was juuuust about to paint my entire office a dark, moody color but then saw your photo and absolutely love it. We’re also trying to find the right white for our entire house (and pick tile for three bathrooms and and and).

    Thank you for any help!

    Reply
    • Meg
      Natalie
      July 22, 2023

      Glad it helped! The walls in the home are Cloud Cover by Benjamin Moore, with Pure White by Sherwin Williams on the trim. The built-in shelves in our sitting room are in Blue Spruce by Benjamin Moore. You can find all the paint colors of my home here, too: https://www.megleonard.co/my-interior-paint-colors/

      If you need any further help, I do offer consulting services! All the best.

      Reply
  • Paula Lettic
    September 12, 2023

    Don’t know what finish I want on my hardwood floor. I am painting the walls and trim Chantilly Lace, My floor is white oak. I don’t want that reddish stain. what is a lighter but richer color and I think I want hi gloss???

    Reply
    • Meg
      Paula Lettic
      September 12, 2023

      Hi there! I am not an expert but this was my experience in my home. You can view the samples and their names in my photos and share that with your stain contractor and go from there! They always have great recommendations from their professional experience to avoid any undertones.

      Reply
  • LP2
    September 22, 2023

    What kind of finish did your seal have – satin, matte, etc? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Meg
      LP2
      September 22, 2023

      Hi there! It is matte.

      Reply

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Meet Meg

Meet Meg

I'm so happy you're here! With a high-taste design eye & a love of affordable finds, my goal is to help you achieve attainable, simple style to create a happy home. By day, I'm lucky to work with brands to foster their growth. Let's chat!

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