Hardwood Floor Stain Colors

On White Oak

Warm medium brown with a subtle golden tone. One of the most versatile colors in the Triangle. Reads contemporary on white oak without going too dark or too light. Popular in both new construction and refinishing.

On Red Oak

Rich and traditional. Deepens the natural warm tones of red oak without fighting the pink undertone. A reliable, proven choice on red oak that has stood the test of time.

On White Oak

A touch darker and richer than Early American. Clean medium-warm brown that reads well in natural and artificial light. One of the most consistently requested colors we apply.

On Red Oak

Slightly darker than Early American on red oak, enhancing the warm grain tones. Works well in traditional homes where the warmth of red oak is an asset rather than something to neutralize.

On White Oak

Neutral and versatile. Not as warm as Early American, not as cool as gray. The most predictable result across different lighting conditions. A safe starting point if you want a medium tone without committing to a warmer or cooler direction.

On Red Oak

Tempers the pink undertone of red oak more than Early American does, landing in a more neutral brown territory. Good choice when you want warmth without the orange-amber cast of older finishes.

On White Oak

Rich dark brown that lets the grain of white oak read clearly. Dramatic without going black. One of the most popular choices for wide-plank white oak where you want depth and visual weight.

On Red Oak

Very dark on red oak -- deeper than it appears on white oak because red oak absorbs more aggressively. The grain is still visible but the overall effect is significantly darker. Test a sample before committing.

On White Oak

Light, almost natural with a slight whitening effect. The go-to for Scandinavian and contemporary aesthetics. Extremely popular right now on wide-plank white oak in higher-end new construction. Shows the wood texture clearly.

On Red Oak

Difficult to achieve cleanly on red oak. The pink undertone in red oak fights the white/gray direction, and the result often reads pinkish rather than white. Not recommended on red oak without extensive testing.

On White Oak

Cool gray that reads beautifully on white oak. Clean and modern. Works well in homes with cool-toned design elements: white trim, gray walls, stainless appliances. One of the cleaner gray results available on any species.

On Red Oak

The pink undertone in red oak shifts the gray result warmer, often producing a taupe or mauve that was not what the homeowner expected. Gray stains on red oak require careful testing and water popping to get anywhere near the intended color.

On White Oak

Warm gray-brown that splits the difference between gray and brown. Trending heavily in the Triangle right now. Reads sophisticated and versatile -- works with warm and cool design directions. One of our most-requested colors on white oak.

On Red Oak

The warm undertone in red oak pushes Aged Barrel toward a darker, browner result than it produces on white oak. Less gray, more tobacco. Still an attractive result but noticeably different from what it does on white oak.

On White Oak

Near-black with the grain of the wood still visible. Dramatic and high contrast. Works best in formal spaces or design-forward homes where the floor is meant to be a statement. Water popping is critical -- uneven application shows immediately at this depth of color.

On Red Oak

Very dark on red oak, absorbing deeply and consistently due to the open grain. The result is close to black with visible grain texture. Less variation between boards than on white oak. A reliable choice when you want maximum darkness.

On White Oak

Dark, warm, and rich. Darker than Dark Walnut with a slightly warmer, almost chocolate tone. Popular in traditional and craftsman homes. Shows the grain of white oak well while providing significant depth.

On Red Oak

One of the best dark stains on red oak. The warm brown of Jacobean complements rather than fights the natural tones of red oak. Deep, consistent, and proven. A long-standing reliable choice for traditional red oak refinishing.

On White Oak

No stain -- just a sealer and topcoat over bare wood. White oak has a cool, grayish-tan natural color that looks clean and contemporary under a clear matte finish. Extremely popular right now. Let the wood speak for itself.

On Red Oak

Red oak without stain shows its natural pinkish-orange tone under a clear finish. This was the standard look in homes built in the 1980s and 1990s. Some homeowners love it and want to preserve it. Others refinish specifically to move away from it.