We have just installed about 500 sq ft of new red oak that was to match the current hardwood in our home. Our installer now states that the floors do not match as the original flooring had a yellow heated sealant that cannot be removed from the hardwood. Thus we have two toned floors with one color (brown) in the original area and a purplish brown in the new flooring.

However, we had a large 2' x 2' area under the removed kitchen island that had no sealant and guess what---it is the same color as the original flooring.

Are we being scammed and the wrong flooring was matched to our original? Do we have white oak as the original and now with the red oak installed--have that ugly contrast?

Are we stuck with the dual colors or any solutions that anyone can share?

Frustrated, but hopeful

Matching new hardwood flooring can be difficult because different regions of the country can produce different colors. Matching older flooring to new is also difficult because the old flooring's finish will of most likely have darkened and/or yellowed.

There is also a difference in color between Red oak and White oak.

Without seeing it its difficult to say what went on. You might try sanding and refinishing a test area on the old flooring to see if the color looks like more of the newer wood.

Jeff Hosking
Hosking Hardwood Flooring

hi, to have the same color you has to use a stain on your new floor to cover the difference after that you can use a little alcohol stain on the varnish and will be hard to see the different.

kalem romero