Need answers about hardwood floors

Originally Posted by Pami

My opinion with cats is, the lighter the better.

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I agree. We went with the natural color of the wood, so we sanded the floors then put the polyurethane finish on without staining. The floors are gorgeous. This summer we are doing the 2 bedrooms to match the rest of the house (they are still the original stained color).

We wipe up things right away, but the purpose of the polyurethane finish is to protect the floors.

We used water based polyurethane finish because we had a severe time crunch (just weeks to do the floors and move in). It dries faster than oil based.

Wow! I came back to check and lots more posts! Thank you!

Since we started to discuss colors I might as well ask opinions about the other part of this because it sounds like I don't need to be concerned about cat vomit.

I don't know what color flooring to buy. Below is a picture of the kitchen flooring. I actually like the color because of the color contrast between the dark trim and cabinets I have and the light floor. Tearing this floor up is not an option. I have already got my husband to agree to tear up the foyer flooring , but he's made it very clear that the kitchen floor stays. I plan on putting a border of some sort to transition it to the kitchen. Since it's very light I feel that I need a contrasting color but if I go too dark I'm afraid it clashing with the trim (cherry/rosewood color). I'm decorating challenged. I also have a dining room with some pretty dark furniture already (see pic. #2) Don't say anything about the white walls. I will break hubby down eventually about that, too!

Ideas please!

Kitchen floor



Dining room (there is a black piano on the other wall)

I like that! Our floors are similar in color, and our trim is dark like that. We like the contrast and how it brings out the color of the floor. If I were you I'd just try to match that.

Megan wanted to show us how she contrasted with the floor, too
I love your dining room!

I would just have it match the kitchen floor. Its the perfect color for cats, too. If the foyer is a different color, they can just sand it and match it.

When we moved into this house, the upstairs had carpet. We removed the carpet upstairs and added hardwood and sanded the downstairs and they matched it perfectly.

I agree I would try to match as best as possible.

kitchen last year. I just have one cat in the regular part of the house, 7 in their own "apartment". There is stomach acid in cat puke that I just would not be comfortable with on my floor. They say its one of the hardest woods and has an excellent sealent, but I would worry that if I did not find it right a away, it could damage the floor. When my grandkids come over, I have them drink in the LR, so no spillage.lol. Most people say go in the kitchen! I'd rather have them spill on the area rug in there than on my beautiful floor in the kitchen

I have old real hardwood floors that could stand to be refinished. I've had Abby spit up in areas I rarely go by and it could be longer than "all day" before I find it. I haven't had any problems. As others have mentioned, I would just make sure there is a heavy varnish on it.

Here's the color of my floors:



They show every grey cat hair and speck of dust. I can clean them and the next day they look filthy.

I'm so afraid they won't be able to match my kitchen floor. I can probably still buy it but to be honest, I haven't been thrilled with the hardness of the wood in the kitchen. It was a Robbins floor and they made a big deal of how their wood was on gymnasium floors, but my former dog (RIP) scratched the crap out of the finish, but I like the color. Thanks for the opinions I'm amazed at the amount of confidence everyone has in the sanding and re-staining to match. I'm really afraid that no one will be able to do it, but you are making me consider something I wouldn't have before.

I see Abby has no shame, either

Thanks for the compliment on the dining room, Pami. I might be able to really talk my hubby into painting it a different color soon. We are planning on remodeling two baths this year and so he's seeing dollar signs every time I open my mouth

Originally Posted by captiva

I'm amazed at the amount of confidence everyone has in the sanding and re-staining to match. I'm really afraid that no one will be able to do it, but you are making me consider something I wouldn't have before.

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When we purchased our previous home, it was a very old home (almost 100 years old) The floors were original, in good shape, except two rooms. One room had a really dark floor and one room had sisal rug squares glued down to the floor. We had both rooms sanded down to match the golden oak floors of the rest of the home and they matched it perfectly.

Chris, these pictures are of my original varnished floorboards from my old house. They were done apparantly just before we moved in, and we lived there for 5 years. They were in the same condition when we moved and they took some hammering with Rosie and Sophie running and skidding along them!

Those are lovely floors Susan. Do you think I'd get a free Rosie with purchase?