Hardwood flooring brings warmth, charm, and long-lasting beauty to any home. But what happens when you add new hardwood next to an older section? The difference in color, grain, and wear can stand out in a way that feels off. That’s where custom staining plays an important role—it helps create a seamless, natural look across old and new wood.
Whether you’re expanding your hardwood flooring or replacing damaged sections, blending them with existing boards requires care and skill. In this post, we’ll explain how custom staining can make all your hardwood look unified.
Why Blending Old and New Wood Matters
When installing new hardwood next to older boards, several differences naturally appear. The original wood may have darkened with age, or the grain pattern could vary. Even if the wood species matches, time changes how hardwood looks. That’s why freshly installed wood often appears much lighter than older sections.
Without proper blending, this contrast can be distracting. A professional custom staining approach helps reduce the visual difference between old and new wood, creating a consistent, polished appearance.
What Is Custom Staining?
Custom staining is the process of adjusting the color of hardwood using stains tailored to your specific floor. Unlike off-the-shelf options, custom stains are mixed to match the exact tone of your existing wood. Flooring experts can test different stain samples on the new wood until they find the one that brings both sections together.
It’s not just about color—it’s about depth, tone, and finish. Skilled professionals can create subtle shifts in shade that make the new boards blend in naturally with the original floor.
Steps to Blending Hardwood with Custom Staining
Assess the Existing Floor
Before staining begins, your flooring professional will examine the condition and color of your old hardwood. This helps determine the right stain formula and finish to match.
Sanding Both Sections
To ensure the stain absorbs evenly, both the old and new wood are sanded. This removes old finish, smooths out surface imperfections, and prepares the floor for staining.
Testing and Mixing Stain
Several stain samples are tested on new wood pieces to find the best match. This step is key to getting the perfect blend.
Applying the Stain
Once the right stain is selected, it’s applied carefully across the new boards—and sometimes across both old and new if necessary—to create a consistent look.
Sealing the Floor
After staining, the floor is sealed with a finish that protects the wood and evens out the sheen. The result is a unified, beautiful floor that looks like it was installed all at once.
When to Consider Custom Staining
- After a room addition or remodel
- When repairing water-damaged or worn sections
- During the refinishing of older floors
- When installing new hardwood to match an existing room
Trust the Experts at Shanks Custom Hardwood
At Shanks Custom Hardwood, we understand the importance of details. Our team has years of experience blending old and new hardwood with expert custom staining. We take the time to carefully assess your floor, mix stains to match, and ensure your entire space looks natural and elegant.
Final Thoughts
Blending old and new hardwood isn’t just about matching color—it’s about restoring balance and harmony to your home. With the right custom staining approach, you can keep the character of your original floor while adding fresh wood that fits right in.
Thinking about a new hardwood installation or repair?
Let Shanks Custom Hardwood help you blend the past and present with custom staining done right.