Cherry hardwood floor

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elody21

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Ah! Once again I come to all of you for some advice. A few years ago we had our cabinets refaced in a beautiful domestic cherry stained "cinnamon" The kitchen floor is a cream tile but the rest of the down stairs is carpet. It is time to replace the carpet and I would like to install hardwood floors. The problem is that the color of Brazilian cherry is a perfect match to the cabinets but as we all know Brazilian Cherry darkens very fast. This would be fine if our furniture in the rooms were light in color but instead are a Mohagony and would soon dissapear when the floor darkens.
I plan on installing the floors myself but do not want to have to stain and finish them!
So all the domestic cherry flooring I find is clear coated and way too light and the Brazilian cherry would soon be too dark. What wood would have a similar grain pattern as cherry but would not darken in the sun?. I have found oak the correct color but I do not want that busy of a grain. Any ideas?
Alice
 
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If you have concerns about matching the color of the cabinets and furniture, my first thought is to go light (perhaps maple) for a contrast. Then you would not have to worry about color changes in the floor.
 
Thanks,
The cabinets are medium in color and in 3 years have only darkened slightly. The floor in the kitchen is beige tile/ The furniture in the other adjoining rooms is very dark that is why I am trying to match the lighter, medium color of the kitchen cabinets. If the floors are the color of the cabinets it will be lighter than the furniture and be a nice contrast. I am looking for a contrast. This will keep only 2 basic shades of wood in the downstairs.
From what I am told from the floor places the Brazilian Cherry not only darkens much faster but darkens in different colors than the domestic cherry.It is quite beautiful but will eventually turn dark wines and reds that will not go with our furniture.
Pecan is a very good idea, but you are right, it would be very costly. I am not sure I have seen pecan floors before.
I also saw a Brazilian Oak stained. Even though I did not want oak The Brazilian oak has a much finer grain and might work.
I guess I need to keep looking for some domestic cherry that has been stained
Thanks Alice
 
ALice;

Keep in mind all wood darkens over time. For what's it is worth I have been designing and building homes for 25 years and I find it best, an my many clients seem to agree, to not try and match the cabinets and the floor. Different woods will change color based on their tannin percentage and trying to anticipate the final result can be frustrating.

I find that domestic cherry is to soft to use as a floor unless you want to see the dings that use inevitably brings. Many of the exotic pre-finished "cherries"
( they seem to call everything "________Cherry" or " _________mahogany" also tend not to darken too much over time. Not sure if it is the wood or if the aluminum oxide finish has some UV protection.

Good Luck
 
Thanks Greg,
I was thinking about checking into a stained maple. I am not looking for an exact match just in the same general color range. If I am not mistaken maple should stay pretty close to the color it is stained and the grain is less busy than an oak. It is such a big investment I don't want to make a mistake. The dining room is mohagony and somewhat formal so I am concerned that oak might be too casual.
I am doing the rooms upstairs now. They were easy because the hallway was oak so I am doing the 4 bedrooms in the same width board and close to the same color.
I saw some Brazilian Cherry at Lumber Liquidators that had darkened and while it was stunning the very red and purple tones would not come close to blending with the cinnamon cabinets. I am very sensitive to colors and when I talk about matching I am really talking about not clashing. As long as the floor flows with the other wood tones.
Greg,
Have you had any issues using Koa? I was told that just putting a rug down and a few months later there is a visible spot. My husband didn't really care for the Koa anyway but I loved it.
Anyway, thanks for your input. It all helps. I have learned so much in the last few months about flooring.
Thanks Alice


greggas said:
ALice;

Keep in mind all wood darkens over time. For what's it is worth I have been designing and building homes for 25 years and I find it best, an my many clients seem to agree, to not try and match the cabinets and the floor. Different woods will change color based on their tannin percentage and trying to anticipate the final result can be frustrating.

I find that domestic cherry is to soft to use as a floor unless you want to see the dings that use inevitably brings. Many of the exotic pre-finished "cherries"
( they seem to call everything "________Cherry" or " _________mahogany" also tend not to darken too much over time. Not sure if it is the wood or if the aluminum oxide finish has some UV protection.

Good Luck
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Thanks Butch,
Yes the guy at LL are on a first name basis! One opened up about 5 minutes from my house so I am over there a lot! Yes, that is a good color! I don't remember seeing any Brazilian that light. I only think that in time it too would get too may red and purple tones? I'll have to ask George!
Alice




ldb2000 said:
I don't know if this stuff is available in your area but seems to be what you are looking for http://www.lumberliquidators.com/ca...46&categoryId=348&sectionId=1&subCategoryId=0
Click to expand...
 
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