need quick advice re: front porch floor

[bhnumbers]

We are FINALLY getting our front porch repainted/refinished and I need advice on stain color for the front porch floor. They sanded yesterday and the color of the wood is really uneven, which was a surprise. Our contractor said that if I like it as is, he can just put the oil based finish on it and it would just be a few shades darker all over. But I think I want a little more of a uniform color? Like a richer brownish red? But that's just my first thought...I really hadn't thought of this before and I need to decide today 

Here is what is looks like now after they just sanded:


And here are a couple photos of the house so you can see the colors/style. The porch ceiling is dark brownish-grey which is one of the trim colors:



Maybe something like this? IDK...HELP!

[lessel]

I'd probably go medium/dark walnut... more brown than red.

[TBM]

I really like the variation in color.

I would stay away from reds... maybe a brown that has a bit of gray tones. Nothing too dark, unless you want to obscure rather than celebrate the variation in the wood. .

[RockNVoll]

I really dislike the red toned stain, I think because it feels old-fashioned to me. On the other hand, I think the variations and natural colors of your floor look fantastic and would absolutely just do the oil-based finish.

But it's your house and you're the one who has to look at it every day so do what makes you happy!

[pumpkin]

I personally love the current variation in color, but you have to go with what makes you happy.

And I agree with TBM in that I might look for a brown that has a bit of gray tones.

[laterz]

I love it as-is!

[nicolewi]

I love it as-is, too! I would stay away from going red.

[dr.girlfriend]

I really love it the way it is! I would just do the oil-based finish. I don't like red decking, though, so YMMV.

[bullygirl979]

Another vote for leaving it as-is! If you don't like it, I would also stay away from the red and go more brown with gray tones, if you don't want the variation.

Also, I love the exterior of your house!

[k3am]

Add another to "I love it as is."

[mrsukyankee]

Yeah, I looked at it as is and thought it looks really cool. But, we're not the ones who are living with it - you are. I'd go grey-brown if you want it to be more uniform. A weathered grey, perhaps?

[sandandsea]

I really like the current color and would probably try to keep that. I like the wood tones more than the red and red stain fades horribly. But I do think it’s all personal preference so if you prefer the reds go for it.

[Deleted]

Add me to the chorus of "no to the red stain". I also love the variation in colors/tones, so if anything, I'd do a light brown to grey stain that maintains those variations. If you want a more uniform color, is paint an option? I'm not sure of how much more upkeep it would be than stain, but if you really don't like the variations, it might be a good solution for you.

[mrsukyankee]

theflooringgirl.com/blog/new-gray-blended-hardwood-stains-duraseal/

[thegan]

LOVE as is! It’s beautiful, but you have to live with it, so go with what you like.

[k3am]

What did you end up going with?

[auroraloo]

What did you do? I thought the as-is was an insp. pic, I love it.

[bhnumbers]

I told them to go ahead and do the clear treatment and, SURPRISE! It's totally different. But I like it. I suppose I should have realized it would turn out *something* like this because whenever I got the porch floor wet to wash it, the wood always got fairly dark. It's not completely dry yet and it's lightened up a bit from when they first put it on, but I don't think it's going to go back to looking just like it did after they sanded.



Thanks for all the input!!

[k3am]

bhnumbers, that looks great!

[Deleted]

bhnumbers, I LOVE how it turned out, it's really beautiful.

[pumpkin]

It's beautiful!

[laterz]

Love it!!!

[mrsukyankee]

Great choice!!!

[RockNVoll]

That's definitely darker than I expected, but it looks good. Funny enough, there are definitely some hints of red in there so maybe it was a good compromise, LOL.

[bunnies]

I love it!

[lilac05]

I love it!