Natural, unstained hardwood is an increasingly popular choice for homeowners and commercial owners, whether we’re talking about flooring, furniture, or interior design. People are gravitating towards a stronger connection to nature and the environment, and cultivating a greater appreciation for the raw, warm beauty of natural hardwood. At the same time, unstained hardwood can add a classic, light, timeless look to any space. The lighter hues of natural hardwood also fit right in with the new ‘nordic’ trend in interior design, which focuses on light, neutral colors, raw materials, natural light, and bright, open spaces.
But why is unstained hardwood flooring so popular, and is it a good option when it comes to hardwood flooring? What are some of the benefits and downsides to leaving your hardwood floors unstained?
What is the ‘natural look’ all about?
To put it simply, the ‘natural’ look of hardwood flooring refers to leaving hardwood flooring unstained during installation. This showcases the wood’s ‘natural’ warm color, making it look like it’s been freshly cut from the tree. The warm, light hue of unstained hardwood works incredibly well in spaces where minimalism and brightness are areas of focus, as is the case with nordic interior design trends. The hardwood is basically allowed to show its ‘natural’ colors and textures, without a stain to make it darker or lighter.
What is driving the natural look trend?
In the past years, sustainability has become an important area of focus for homeowners and commercial owners alike, and people are now looking for ways to integrate natural and natural elements in their homes or offices. For commercial buildings, this means prioritizing natural light, green spaces and terraces, large windows, efficient cooling and heating systems, and sustainable materials.
When it comes to integrating nature into people’s homes, there is a bigger focus on natural, raw materials, like sustainably-sourced hardwood, recycled wood, sustainable fabrics, and so on. That’s one of the reasons why the minimalist nordic style of interior design has become increasingly popular in the U.S. in recent years, and natural, unstained hardwood floors fit right in with these trends.
Natural hardwood is easy to maintain and provides a warm, open, bright ambiance to any space. It works especially well for cabins and mountain chalets, but it can work in any space, offering that nordic-cabin-in-the-woods feel. While dark-stained hardwood brings elegance and timelessness, it also tends to show scratches and dust more easily than lighter-colored wood. Consequently, lighter, unstained hardwood floors are the better option when it comes to households with pets or children, where there is heavy daily traffic and scratches and occasional spills are more frequent.
Unstained vs unfinished hardwood floors
This is a good time to talk about the difference between unstained and unfinished hardwood floors. Leaving the hardwood unstained does not mean leaving it unfinished! The finish is one of the most crucial steps in the installation process, and bypassing it can really impact the durability and integrity of the hardwood.
Staining only means changing the color or hue of the hardwood planks, and it’s a step that can be skipped. However, applying a protective layer of high-quality finish is a critical step in the installation process. This is the layer that will coat and protect the hardwood floors from dust, debris, water damage, and any other kind of damage, extending its lifespan significantly. Two or even three layers of finish can be applied to ensure maximum protection for hardwood floors, but this will depend on the manufacturer’s guidelines and the type of hardwood. A professional can advise on the best way to apply finish to unstained hardwood, and which products to use.
Pros and cons of natural hardwood floors
Like we’ve already mentioned, unstained, ‘natural’ hardwood floors can provide brightness, elegance, warmth, and comfort to any space, creating the illusion of space and showcasing the beauty of the wood’s natural tones and textures. The lighter hue will mask scratches, dust, debris, and other damage much better than dark-stained hardwood, which is a bonus for busy households with pets or children, or heavy-traffic commercial spaces. At the same time, unstained hardwood floors can be stained later on, if the client is not ready to make a decision on the color during the installation process. However, staining previously unstained floors will require proper preparation and sanding, so it’s crucial to work with a professional to ensure the floors won’t be over-sanded or damaged.
One potential downside of unstained hardwood floors is that they might get darker or yellow over time, due to exposure to natural light. Lighter-toned hardwood is especially sensitive to this process, and yellowing will be more pronounced over time. However, if the floor is properly cared for, cleaned, protected from direct sunlight and changes in humidity, and regularly refinished, any changes in color will be subtle and will only add to the charm of the natural-looking wood.
For more tips on how to properly clean, remove, repair, or replace hardwood flooring, or for information on any of the products we carry, reach out to First Atlanta Flooring and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!
