If you have hardwood floors in your home in San Ramon, CA, then you have probably already heard the term ‘reactive stains’ at one point or another. But do you really understand what it means?
A traditional stain can change the surface of the wood by adding color to the wood. A reactive stain, on the other hand, is when the stain reacts with the natural components that are found within the wood.
Reactive stains do not have any color or pigment and instead will create a color when interacting with the natural ingredients in the wood. This interaction ultimately creates different tones and color variations that can’t be duplicated by using traditional methods of staining wood in San Ramon, CA.
The Result of Reactive Stain
When you use a reactive stain over traditional stain in San Ramon, CA, you are seeing an interaction between the tannins and the sugars found within the wood material. It can also effectively create somewhat of an aged look by mimicking oxidization. This aged look can be created very easily without risking any harm or damage to the hardwood floor, and it doesn’t negatively affect the overall quality of the wood either.
What Is Fuming?
Another reactive stain process is called fuming. During this process, the wood is exposed to ammonia, and this solution interacts with the tannins and gives you new colors and variations. One of the best wood types for fuming is European Oak because it has a much higher tannin content than other woods and can provide you with a much darker and richer color.
When using this reactive stain method, you will also find that the reactions may differ from each piece of wood. This is because the levels of tannin in each wood piece may be different. Because of this, you may find much more color variation.
When fuming, you do not apply the ammonia into the wood. You are only using a small amount of the ammonia in the space and the ammonia forces the tannins to go to the surface of the wood. If you want the wood to be darker, then it needs to be exposed to the ammonia for a longer period of time.
Reactive Versus Traditional Staining
If you are looking for a more aged or antiqued look for your wood flooring, then the reactive stain process is what you need. It is one of the more advanced ways of bringing the color and character of the wood to life.
You will also find that the stain is pigment-free but you will still achieve the darkness and richness you want with the color. Each board will be unique and give you that bit of charm and character you want for your space.
The appearance you can achieve with reactive staining is not similar to the results you will find with traditional staining methods. Reactive stain penetrates much more deeply instead of sitting on the surface of the wood, and the color and variation you can achieve will certainly grab the eye.
