Home and Auto Anyone own dark hardwood floors?

**The Bad Guy** · 07-24-2011, 10:49 PM

Well, the time has come to pick the flooring for the new house. I've always loved dark hardwood floors and was determined to get them.

However, I've heard a lot of conflicting reviews about the maintence and how dirty they can look.

So we decided on a lighter wood but now the wife is back to saying she wants the dark. We ordered the lighter, but can switch.

Does anyone own dark wood floors? Do you regret the decision?

Here are the 2 we are between. Would appreciate some feedback as to what one you would pick.

http://www.lumberliquidators.com/cat...=0&storeId=213

http://www.lumberliquidators.com/cat...=0&storeId=213

MIAdragon · 07-24-2011, 10:52 PM

I love the first link, that being said I've had bamboo before and it was so soft that when the wife walked across it in heals it would leave marks in the wood.

**Rain Man** · 07-24-2011, 10:55 PM

How many windows do you have? You can go darker if you have lots of light, but otherwise it's going to be very dark.

We have different types on different floors. The first floor is a classic oak and is nice, but we love the second and third floor color. It's a cypress or pine or something and is almost blonde, and it's really glossy and makes the rooms seem bright.

**Dave Lane** · 07-24-2011, 11:01 PM

I have dark oak, medium oak, bamboo (light), yellow pine (natural) and I like them all.

It's no different than light just go with what you like and don't worry.

**Dave Lane** · 07-24-2011, 11:02 PM

Everyone loves the yellow pine I get huge comments on how bright and beautiful it is.

**The Bad Guy** · 07-24-2011, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

I love the first link, that being said I've had bamboo before and it was so soft that when the wife walked across it in heals it would leave marks in the wood.

Not worried about that. Lumber Liquidators claim it's 116% stronger than oak.

**The Bad Guy** · 07-24-2011, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

How many windows do you have? You can go darker if you have lots of light, but otherwise it's going to be very dark.

We have different types on different floors. The first floor is a classic oak and is nice, but we love the second and third floor color. It's a cypress or pine or something and is almost blonde, and it's really glossy and makes the rooms seem bright.

Lots of windows in the living room and kitchen.

We are putting white cabinets with black quartz countertops in the kitchen. I'm thinking we are leaning toward the dark.

**The Bad Guy** · 07-24-2011, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

I have dark oak, medium oak, bamboo (light), yellow pine (natural) and I like them all.

It's no different than light just go with what you like and don't worry.

Another issue my wife is worried about is it will limit what type of furnature we can get. We like dark furnature and the wife thinks if we go dark wood, we can't get dark in the couch or dining room set.

**bevischief** · 07-25-2011, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Well, the time has come to pick the flooring for the new house. I've always loved dark hardwood floors and was determined to get them.

However, I've heard a lot of conflicting reviews about the maintence and how dirty they can look.

So we decided on a lighter wood but now the wife is back to saying she wants the dark. We ordered the lighter, but can switch.

Does anyone own dark wood floors? Do you regret the decision?

Here are the 2 we are between. Would appreciate some feedback as to what one you would pick.

http://www.lumberliquidators.com/cat...=0&storeId=213

http://www.lumberliquidators.com/cat...=0&storeId=213

Do you have ghosts and cats?

**The Bad Guy** · 07-25-2011, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bevischief

Do you have ghosts and cats?

Yes, we have 6 ghosts. No cats.

Silock · 07-25-2011, 01:53 AM

Dark looks great, but it shows scratches much more easily.

**007** · 07-25-2011, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silock

Dark looks great, but it shows scratches much more easily.

This. We have dark hardwood floors and while I like them, the scratching is crazy noticeable as is the spots if you don't clean them as soon as they happen. Just like any floor, sometimes you just don't notice the spots until later though.

I do like our flooring but I kind of wish we went with less area as well as a slightly lighter shade with less shine to it.

Ceej · 07-25-2011, 05:59 AM

Great feedback from everyone. Natural light is probably the biggest key, as RM mentioned. It also depends on numerous other variables -- trim color, wall color, etc. I know where I work we've sold more of the lighter distressed strand bamboo.

The Bunk · 07-25-2011, 07:08 AM

Everyone told me not to go dark because of resale reasons... limited audience I guess.

I've got red oak that I refinished. No stain, just natural. I couldn't be happier with them.

**The Bad Guy** · 07-25-2011, 07:09 AM

Excellent advice in this thread. Really appreciate it guys.

I'm going to go lighter. I love the dark, but with a 2-year old, it's not very practical.

Thanks again.

07-24-2011, 10:49 PM
The Bad Guy Scott Pioli Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: The Copacobana Casino cash: $9283645	Anyone own dark hardwood floors? Well, the time has come to pick the flooring for the new house. I've always loved dark hardwood floors and was determined to get them. However, I've heard a lot of conflicting reviews about the maintence and how dirty they can look. So we decided on a lighter wood but now the wife is back to saying she wants the dark. We ordered the lighter, but can switch. Does anyone own dark wood floors? Do you regret the decision? Here are the 2 we are between. Would appreciate some feedback as to what one you would pick. http://www.lumberliquidators.com/cat...=0&storeId=213 http://www.lumberliquidators.com/cat...=0&storeId=213
Posts: 23,216

07-24-2011, 10:52 PM	#2
MIAdragon Someone pass the antifreeze Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Miami (North Cuba) Casino cash: $-2012181	I love the first link, that being said I've had bamboo before and it was so soft that when the wife walked across it in heals it would leave marks in the wood.
Posts: 15,943

07-24-2011, 10:55 PM	#3
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-452449 VARSITY	How many windows do you have? You can go darker if you have lots of light, but otherwise it's going to be very dark. We have different types on different floors. The first floor is a classic oak and is nice, but we love the second and third floor color. It's a cypress or pine or something and is almost blonde, and it's really glossy and makes the rooms seem bright. __________________ Active fan of the greatest team in NFL history.
Posts: 145,246

07-24-2011, 11:01 PM	#4
Dave Lane Space Cadet and Aczabel Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kanab, UT, USA Casino cash: $9333275 VARSITY	I have dark oak, medium oak, bamboo (light), yellow pine (natural) and I like them all. It's no different than light just go with what you like and don't worry. __________________ Thanks, Trump for the civics lesson. We are learning so much about RICO, espionage, sedition, impeachment, the 25th Amendment, order of succession, nepotism, separation of powers, 1st Amendment, obstruction of justice, the emoluments clause, conflicts of interest, collusion, sanctions, oligarchs, money laundering and so much more.
Posts: 40,584

07-24-2011, 11:02 PM	#5
Dave Lane Space Cadet and Aczabel Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kanab, UT, USA Casino cash: $9333275 VARSITY	Everyone loves the yellow pine I get huge comments on how bright and beautiful it is. __________________ Thanks, Trump for the civics lesson. We are learning so much about RICO, espionage, sedition, impeachment, the 25th Amendment, order of succession, nepotism, separation of powers, 1st Amendment, obstruction of justice, the emoluments clause, conflicts of interest, collusion, sanctions, oligarchs, money laundering and so much more.
Posts: 40,584

07-25-2011, 01:53 AM	#11
Silock MVP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $10020882	Dark looks great, but it shows scratches much more easily.
Posts: 19,908

07-25-2011, 05:59 AM	#13
Ceej BOOM!1! Join Date: Aug 2004 Casino cash: $6755541	Great feedback from everyone. Natural light is probably the biggest key, as RM mentioned. It also depends on numerous other variables -- trim color, wall color, etc. I know where I work we've sold more of the lighter distressed strand bamboo.
Posts: 19,219

07-25-2011, 07:08 AM	#14
The Bunk Starter Join Date: May 2009 Casino cash: $-646802	Everyone told me not to go dark because of resale reasons... limited audience I guess. I've got red oak that I refinished. No stain, just natural. I couldn't be happier with them.
Posts: 235

07-25-2011, 07:09 AM	#15
The Bad Guy Scott Pioli Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: The Copacobana Casino cash: $9283645	Excellent advice in this thread. Really appreciate it guys. I'm going to go lighter. I love the dark, but with a 2-year old, it's not very practical. Thanks again. __________________
Posts: 23,216