When a wall is added to a house the final step after framing and hanging drywall is painting (or wallpaper). When you install a floor, staining the floor is part of the last step of the process, right? Well in most cases that might be wrong. Here are some reasons you shouldn't stain your hardwood floors.
1. You shouldn't stain some species
Staining wood species with tight and small pores are very difficult to stain properly. Maple and birch are species that shouldn't be stained for the most part for this reason. Coniferous woods like pine and fir are also similarly difficult. This is due to the fact that the small pores and grains are so tight that it makes it difficult for the stain to fit into the wood. Pine wood and even early season and late season red and white oak hardwood flooring has a variability in density that makes it even more difficult to stain evenly.
2. Staining makes sanding scratching and mistakes more obvious
When it comes time to sand your floors, stained floors are less forgiving to mistakes. These mistakes are going to show up and make your floors look terrible if you're sanding company makes mistakes. The mistakes are going to be even more obvious with cross grain scratches and swirls.
3. Staining is going to add additional waiting time to your job to be done
The time for your floors to be ready are going to be extended due to the fact that you are going to need to wait for each layer to dry. The stain must be completely dry before you add any protective finish over stain. If you apply the clear finish to early to un dried stain the clear finish will not bond properly. The drying process happens when the solvents have time to evaporate and time is necessary.
4. Beware of bleedback
Hardwood only can take so much stain. Any additional over staining is going to be wick up during the drying process of the top finish. This will create a cloudy and patchy look in your top coat. Proper application of stain and finishes should avoid this, but the application of no stain will guarantee it.