Hi –
I’m new to this forum, but wanted to ask some pros a question about a current project. I’m renovating a 50 to 60 year old house. The floors are red oak, which I have to patch in several places. I was told that white oak would be a better match, since red oak fades after that many years. However, samples of the two still look quite different and stain differently. So, my questions:
1) is the guy right, that white oak will be better?
2) if not, should I use red oak?
3) in either case, will I have to correct the color by using different stain on the old vs. new?
4) any better ideas?
Thanks for your help. The whole project is slowly coming along, but this issue is beginning to be in the critical path.
2of12
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I'm not the floor guy. Ditch is the floor guy.
Having said that.....do you have any closets that you could take the floor out of to patch the middle of rooms and then replace the closet with either oak. It wouls show less that way.
Jet's got it right, get the wood from the same job. Color, size etc are pretty difficult to match with new stock.
Here's a thread that goes through some of the process.
Floor Patch
Best of luck.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Any chance the original flooring is quartersawn?
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50 to 60 yrs. isn't that old. Red Oak and White Oak don't match.
I imagine that you are patching returns or water/pet damage. In any event buy a bundle or 2 of RED OAK, Tooth the new boards in matching the grain patterns as best as possible. Resand and refinish the floors. Done.
If you don't want to refinish the floors, don't expect the patches to match.
Thanks for all your suggestions. I had thought it would be too difficult to get it out of the closets without damage. So, I'll study the Quitin' Time suggestions. I do plan to refinish the floors: they're mostly in pretty good shape. We took out part of a stone floor in the entry and removed a closet, to make the dining room larger. We also removed a couple of walls. Most of the replacements will be lenghwise, but a short section is across the direction of the planks. Also, there are a few dog stains. I bleached out one, then neutralized with vinegar, but don't know if that will affect final color. It's seems easier to bleach than to replace: any problem with this if the stain isn't too deep to bleach? I can get new red oak in the correct size: 3/4" by 2 1/4W wide, rather than pull it out of the closet. Would this be a good match, or should I take it from the closets?Thanks again for all your help!
2of12
.75 X 2.25 is readily available and will match up fine. We have cannabalized flooring from closets in the past, but only when finding a suitable replacement proved difficult.
One technique I began using on pet stains was to hand paint faux grain over the stain. Acryrlic paints in various wood tones works well using an artists brush. Faux paint over the stain between the first and second coats of finish.