Pictured: St. Tropez Rustic European White Oak
Reactive stain promotes the antique look of the wood. You will see reactive stain flooring at any major tradeshow from many flooring manufacturers. It is one of the most advanced ways to bring the wood’s color and character to life.
What it is
Reactive stain is a water-based wood stain to give wooden floors, particularly oak, an aged and rustic character. The stain itself is pigment free. The color on the oak becomes alive with depth and richness. Tannins are present in most species of wood and are responsible for the color changes in trees. Left alone, tannins will change the color of wood to an “antique” appearance after many years. The reactive staining process facilitates this natural change more rapidly.
How it works
Reactive stains work by “reacting” with natural components in the wood. Tannins, which are present in most wood but are highly concentrated in white oak, react with the stains to naturally weather or age the wood’s appearance. Using the latest technologies, the color is created from an oxidative reaction between the dissolved minerals and the tannins in oak, and other tannin rich wood species. The process is done by hand making each board unique. Also, the process mutes any red in the oak, so whites do not look so pink. Multiple layers of distinct colors can also be done in succession giving limitless, creative looks.
The look
With reactive stains you can achieve a much brighter, almost 3D appearance in the graining, which is very difficult if not impossible to achieve with traditional stains. The reactive staining process penetrates the wood more as opposed to sitting on the surface like most other stains. The flooring really catches your eye. Combined with lightly tinted natural oil finishes the visuals are stunning and deliver a true artisanal looking floor. The wide-plank floors Arimar carries from Floor Art also have a Bona Naturalle finish, an innovative and superior finish that makes the floor look like oil.
Floor Art pushes forward and collaborates with design talents to explore new and innovative finishes to create truly beautiful results. If you or your client have any questions about floor finishes in general or would like to learn more about the finishes of our hardwood floors, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
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