Match it
- Close enough. With the information above, you should be able to get a pretty close match to your existing wood, but...
- T-molding and Transition strips. There are a number of ways to use transitional strips of wood to break up a seam...
- Weave in the new boards. Also called “lacing” or “threading” the boards, this is a way to blend existing and newly...
Can an existing hardwood floor be matched?
The good news is that it’s usually fairly easy to match existing hardwood and create a harmonious look. Do you have solid or engineered hardwood floors? It’s much easier to match if you have solid hardwood flooring. Solid hardwood is good for both longevity and flexibility in color matching. In most cases, solid hardwood runs ¾ inch thick.
Should all hardwood floors in a house match?
The short answer is yes, you can definitely mix and match hardwoods throughout a home. With the right approach, you can even place two different woods next to each other. Here’s what you should know. Do Wood Floors Have to Match Room-to-Room?
What is the average cost to install hardwood floors?
The average homeowner spends between $12 and $20 a square foot on hardwood floors, installed. This translates to a cost of between $2,400 and $4,000 for a 200 square foot installation of solid or engineered prefinished flooring in your home.
How to choose and install hardwood floors?
These are the common steps to take when prepping for hardwood:
- Start by removing the baseboards in the room where your install will take place.
- Make sure your subfloor is level and smooth. ...
- Mark the walls to show the location of the floor joists.
- Cover the floor with underlayment or a moisture inhibitor such as 15 to 30 lb asphalt-saturated felt or silicone vapor shield. ...
Can old hardwood floors be matched?
Although a professional can recommend a flooring replacement that will closely match your current floors, for a perfect match, it's best to strip your current hardwood floors and refinish both, or stain the new boards to exactly match the existing floors.
How do you match discontinued hardwood floors?
There are two ways to do this. One, you can send a sample to a specialty manufacturer; they can make it for you. Or, you can buy an unfinished hardwood, and take an old piece of the product to a local hardware store and have them match the stain color. You can then stain and finish it yourself.
How do you blend new hardwood floors with old?
To make the transition smooth between the contrasting flooring, you can use hardwood borders between the old and new flooring to make it clear that the contrast is intentional and to highlight the differing character of both floors.
Should I try to match my hardwood floors?
While many people try to match all of the wood floorings throughout their homes, it's unnecessary. On top of that, it isn't easy to do and can have less than pleasing results. Wood floors do not need to match, and often, it's best if they don't.
How hard is it to match existing hardwood floors?
The good news is that it's usually fairly easy to match your existing hardwood for a harmonious look.
Where can I find discontinued hardwood floors?
Search online for the exact flooring. It is possible that another retailer still has remaining stock of the discontinued product. Check selling platforms such as eBay, Craigslist, Angie's List, and others. Sometimes, homeowners will post and sell extra boxes of flooring that they no longer need.
Can you have two different wood floors next to each other?
The simple answer to this question is yes, but you need to do it right. If you simply install two different sizes or stain colors of hardwood flooring next to each other, with the planks running the same direction and little or no transition, it will look terrible.
Is it OK to have two different types of hardwood floors?
Put simply, the answer to the question do wood floors have to match room to room, is entirely one of personal choice. You can choose to have different flooring in each room if that works for you, but synergy and flow from selecting one central flooring material can look wonderful too.
How do you match old and new floorboards?
If you're only replacing a couple of boards, then try staining your new floorboards with a colour which matches the old floorboard colour. You can find a plethora of coloured stain solutions at any hardwood store or home improvement store. Before you stain the new wood boards, make sure you sand them down first.
How do you find a matching floor?
4 Tips for Matching Flooring Throughout Your HouseMake Sure It's an Exact Match.Take Pictures or a Sample.Start From Scratch.Fit the Room Itself.Be Careful Where You Switch Flooring.Pay Attention to Color.Stick With Less Than Three Different Types of Flooring.Think About More Than Floors.
How can I match my wood floor color?
0:153:18How To Match Floor And Stair Stain | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd here's the white based stain we'll be adding yellow ochre french yellow ochre. And raw umberMoreAnd here's the white based stain we'll be adding yellow ochre french yellow ochre. And raw umber okay so you're actually just going to do this by eye yes and what we do is this is a step sample.
Should furniture be darker or lighter than floor?
A good rule of thumb is that more delicate pieces of furniture go well with lighter floors, while heavier pieces match better with dark woods. This will help you preserve balance in the room so that everything gets its chance to shine within the space.
How do you find a matching floor?
4 Tips for Matching Flooring Throughout Your HouseMake Sure It's an Exact Match.Take Pictures or a Sample.Start From Scratch.Fit the Room Itself.Be Careful Where You Switch Flooring.Pay Attention to Color.Stick With Less Than Three Different Types of Flooring.Think About More Than Floors.
How can I match my wood floor color?
0:153:18How To Match Floor And Stair Stain | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd here's the white based stain we'll be adding yellow ochre french yellow ochre. And raw umberMoreAnd here's the white based stain we'll be adding yellow ochre french yellow ochre. And raw umber okay so you're actually just going to do this by eye yes and what we do is this is a step sample.
Where can I find discontinued floor tiles?
Check outlets and clearance centers. Online, Overstock.com is a good source to check for wood flooring, tiles, and more; Mohawk Factory Outlet specializes in discontinued flooring. Land of Tile is a good place to start your search for discontinued tiles.
How do you match discontinued floor tiles?
When looking for a discontinued tile match, first identify the manufacturer, which is usually stamped on the back of the tile, and check for a batch number. Tile appearance can vary significantly from batch to batch, and just because two tiles are from the same line, it doesn't mean they match.
How thick is solid hardwood?
In most cases, solid hardwood runs ¾ inch thick. With a subfloor built in, you have flexibility in being able to lay hardwood flush against existing hardwood, matching it up plank by plank. Be sure the subfloor height is consistent throughout the space to ensure hardwood will be even as you move from room to room.
Can you match wood floors without redoing?
A professional can help you decide the best route for the look you desire throughout your home. Transitions. Not all flooring has to match.
Is hardwood flooring the norm in Denver?
Hardwood flooring has become the norm in homes all across the Denver Metro area. Hardwood flooring is by far the preferred choice in mid to higher end homes. But what if you have an older home and hardwood only exists in a few rooms? What if you only have hardwood in one – the kitchen, the entryway, the family room, or just the main living space?
Can you match hardwood floors?
The good news is that it’s usually fairly easy to match existing hardwood and create a harmonious look.
Can you change the color of hardwood planks?
Just keep in mind the aesthetics may change if you adjust size from room to room. Color. With hardwood, you can adjust coloring to match once your new hardwood planks are in place. In general, if you have oak hardwood flooring, and choose a match of both species and grade, simply by refinishing the wood and staining will provide you with ...
What to consider when flooring a new area?
You will also want to consider the size of the new area to be floored. Might you take matching wood from another area of the house where it is less important to have an exact match? Is there an attic or storage area where spare boards might be stored? Is the attic itself finished? If it’s been well-maintained, this could a great source for boards that are at least of the same basic material and age of the floor you are trying to match.
How to make a near match look like an exact match?
If the transition is in a wider space or an area where a rug seems unnatural, a change in the direction of the wood (per pendicular or diagonal to the original floor) can make a near match look like an exact match and create a striking look that calls attention to the beauty of the floors. Also consider – if you are outfitting an upstairs area with flooring to match your downstairs, you may find that an exact match to the existing floor (perhaps taken from a closet) on the top face of the stairs and a very near match on the front face will create a natural transition that masks slight differences because of the changing direction of the wood.
Can you match site finished wood?
If your flooring was site-finished, but not very long ago, you may have similar luck. You can order more of the same kind boards – be sure to match everything: species, grade, length and width, and thickness – and the same stain and are likely to get pretty good results, though it may take a few months for the newly stained areas to really match seamlessly. Matching site-finished wood can be a little trickier, though, especially if you have a custom-mixed stain, so it is often worth it to have a professional installer come in on the project.
Is hardwood flooring worth it?
With the housing market on the upswing, a lot of folks are starting to think about home improvements to keep their property up to date and hold on to market value. It is widely accepted that hardwood flooring is an all but guaranteed value add for any home, and our 2015 designer survey confirmed that hardwood throughout the home, rather than in just a few rooms, is preferable. So what do you do when a few areas in your home already sport hardwood flooring and you want to spread the joy to the rest of the house? Well, you have a few options.
Can you refinish old wood floors?
This solution is pretty self-explanatory and is a great option when existing floors could use a refinish anyhow. Now, it is important to remember that the older wood is still older wood and will be conditioned differently than the new wood, so you will probably still want to weave in the new boards to ensure a smoother transition. The older wood may also take stain differently than the newer wood. For this reason, some homeowners opt to seek out reclaimed boars of a similar age in the same species and cut in order to fill in new areas. However, a flooring expert will likely be able to help you choose a method of staining and finishing that will provide for an even absorption and the uniform coloring possible.
Can you blend hardwood floors with existing flooring?
Blending a new hardwood floor with an existing one is not a project for the inexperienced. If this is your first flooring project, we strongly recommend that you call on a professional installer to plan and execute the project. If you have some DIY experience with flooring, you may well be able to carry out a matching project yourself, though you will want to consult an expert on your plans before proceeding.
Is it worth it to match hardwood floors?
In such instances matching new hardwood – perhaps to an addition to the home, a room previously floored with carpet or tile, or to a heavily damaged area– is a bit more complicated, but definitely worth it in most cases.
What can you use to smooth out a slope between two floors?
If one floor is only slightly thicker than the other, you can use transition strips to introduce a smooth slope between the two floors. In particular, reducer transition strips work well for this type of situation.
Why expand hardwood floor?
Expanding hardwood floor coverage is often a great idea because it increases the value of a home. But, if your existing floor is more than 5 years old, its appearance has likely changed due to oxidation and wear. Unfortunately, awkward transitions between preexisting and newly covered areas create an inharmonious look.
What type of wood is used for hardwood floors?
Oak is the most popular hardwood flooring species, but there are two types of oak: red oak and white oak. Other common flooring wood species include hickory, walnut, maple, yellow pine, and mahogany.
How thick is a hardwood floor?
For aesthetic purposes, you want to ensure that your new floor is the same thickness as your existing floor. A hardwood floor is generally 3/4″ thick, but you can opt for other sizes. However, make sure the thickness of your subfloor doesn’t vary. If your new boards aren’t pre-finished, you don’t have to worry so much about ...
How wide is oak flooring?
The standard width of oak flooring can range anywhere from 2 1/4″ to 5″. Use a tape measure to find out the width of your existing planks. That said, you can use wider planks in one room if you’re trying to distinguish it from another.
Why is my hardwood floor darker?
Refinishing or Finishing. Due to its photosensitivity, wood reacts to sunlight. As a result, some types of wood become darker over time, whereas other types become lighter. This means that it will be difficult to find wood that perfectly matches your existing floor. Hardwood floor refinishing may be a necessary step.
How thick should floorboards be before sanding?
New floorboards tend to have a thicker profile, and you can always sand them down so they match. You just need at least 1/32 of an inch to work with in order to sand them properly.
What are the factors that should be considered when choosing a hardwood floor?
Three factors should always be considered: 1. The species of wood used. Obviously, if you have two different species next to each other, the floors aren’t going to match. Even when we know the species, some woods, such as Red Oak, are easy to blend, whereas others, such as Maple, are more difficult. 2.
How to make contrasting floors smooth?
To make the transition smooth between the contrasting flooring, you can use hardwood borders between the old and new flooring to make it clear that the contrast is intentional and to highlight the differing character of both floors.
What color does maple flooring change?
The age of the existing floor. Age can change the color of the wood. For example, Maple starts out blonde but over time becomes a light beige color—making it a challenge to blend new and old Maple floors.
Why doesn't it matter if you sand the floor?
2. The condition of the existing floor. Usually, it doesn’t matter if the existing floor is worn, because we can sand it at the same time we sand the new floor. However, some damage, such as large black spots caused by water, may not come out. And some homeowners don’t want us to sand the existing floor, making blending more difficult.
Can you match hardwood floors?
In some cases, a good match may not be possible, even with the most-skilled hardwood flooring experts working on the job. But don’t give up on new flooring! Contrasting floors can be beautiful and quite visually interesting.
Why is my kitchen floor looking old and dry?
My flooring senses tell me that the kitchen may be getting more "cleaning" as well. This is one way a finish can look "old and dry". Too much cleaning with certain products can produce a tired, old, hazy looking floor. If there is tremendous amounts of foot traffic together with added cleaning regime (perhaps the kitchen is mopped every 2-3 days whereas the rest of the floor gets it once/month as is normal), then it is possible that it was the "perfect storm" for the new floor looking worse than the old floor.
Can you match existing floor?
Matching the existing floor will work best. This is how ours came out. We are very happy with it.
Is it ok to use hardwood in a kitchen?
Yep, hardwood in kitchen is a-ok. Justbtrynto wipe up any spills reasonably quickly and you'll be fine.
Should kitchen floors be sealed?
The kitchen floor should be sealed more thoroughly, but whether it has a shine or not depends (1) on what it was finished with (e.g., did they go for a satin finish on the new floors rather than shiny) and (2) what they're cleaning it with (e.g., Murphy's oil can strip some finishes).
Do kitchen floors look different after 5 years?
It's not that they "look" different, it's that the kitchen receives so much more foot traffic that it looks almost as if the finish has been stripped, in that it's a very dry, dull appearance. I'm now convinced that I could match the old, so now I am looking in to what treatment the kitchen floors would receive so that ours do not look dry and dull after 5 years.
Can you sand and refinish old hardwood floors?
They are in need of a sand and refinish. Now is the PERFECT TIME to add hardwood, then sand and refinish EVERYTHING at the same time. You are in the PERFECT situation to add matching hardwood. Your old floors NEED attention = perfect time to do what you want to do.
Can You Match Engineered Hardwood Floors?
Can You Use Two Different Types of Hardwood Floors in Your House?
- Here’s some good news – if you can’t find an exact match between your new and existing hardwoods, you can use two different types of flooring in your home. Here are some tips to follow to help this look good. 1. Don’t use two different hardwoods in open concept floor plans – only for separate rooms. 2. Create contrast with different colors but make sure your floors have similar u…
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does it cost to match hardwood floors?
The amount it costs to match your hardwood floors depends on how much square footage you need to cover, the type of wood, and the project’s scope. The average cost of refinishing hardwood floors is $3-$8 per square foot. You’ll also need to include the price of your new floors … - How to match hardwood floors to laminate?
It’s about impossible to get an exact match between hardwood floors and laminate – even if you do, it will be obvious which floor is which. A better idea is to use the same undertones for each floor but different colors for a bit of contrast. This way, it doesn’t look like you’re trying to blend th…
Final Thoughts
- As long as you have solid hardwoods, matching new floors to your existing ones shouldn’t be overly complicated. The most significant decision you’ll need to make is refinishing the entire floor or staining only the new pieces. If you have engineered hardwoods, the process is much more difficult. Try contacting your manufacturer. If that’s not possible, start ordering similar samples u…