Reactive Stain Colours

About Reactive Stain Colours

Reactive stains ‘react’ with Tannic acid in wood and in so doing, alter the color of the cell structure. These colorants are unlike dyes which add pigment or minute particles of a particular color to the wood surface.
Observing these photo’s it is obvious that different species react very differently to identical colorants…  American does not look at all like Baltic for example with otherwise equal finishing.

All trees have differing chemistry and levels of Tannic acid, indeed variations occur even within a single board. Reactive stains produce colors which vary naturally and it is possible through layering, to create some truly unique “aged” looking floors. What makes them attractive is this uniquely varied look, and the fidelity of the wood which is uncluttered by particulates that one would find in stains and dyes.

The use of reactive stains enhance the variations particularly between sapwood (the bright outer layer of a tree, low in tannic acid) and heartwood (the mature core of the tree where tannic acid is much higher in concentration). Reactive stains produce a uniquely natural appearance that are unlike pigmented stains or dyes which tend to mask or mute the natural color variations present (particularly in various white oak species).

Variations are unique within every board and for many, this is both desirable and a thing of beauty.

A word about finishes, we’re often astonished by the amazing difference one can witness depending on finish alone.  This is visible more on pure Reactive colours than conventional stains,  but any stain colour will look very different for example between Hardwax Oil and  UV Polyurethane or Acrylic polymer.  It’s not possible to switch finish and maintain colour tone.   Each must be developed from different stains to resemble one another.

Reactive Stain Options

(Please anticipate Computer Monitor Color Display Differences)

click each sample to enlarge

Evergreen Hardwood
Specie: Euro Oak Casual
Colour: C3 Bistro (Layered colours)
Finish: Modified Hardwax

Provincial series
Specie: American White Oak
Colour :  C4
Finish : UV Polyurethane

Provincial Series
Specie: French Oak Casual
Colour: C4
Finish: Modified Hardwax

Evergreen Hardwood 
Specie: Baltic Oak
Colour: C4 Bistro
Finish: UV Polyurethane

Provincial Series
Specie: American Oak AB
Colour: C4 Bistro
Finish: Modified Hardwax

Evergreen Hardwood
Specie:  Baltic Oak
Colour:  C3
Finish  : Modified Hardwax

Evergreen Hardwood
Specie: Baltic Oak
Colour: C3 Bistro
Finish: Modified Hardwax

Provincial Series
Specie: American White Oak
Colour: C1
Finish:UV Polyurethane

Provincial Series
Specie: American White Oak
Colour: C1
Finish: Modified Hardwax

Evergreen Hardwood
Specie: Baltic Oak
Colour: Refinished C3 Bistro
Finish:  Modified Hardwax

Evergreen Hardwood
Specie: Baltic Oak AB
Colour: C1
Finish: Modified Hardwax

Evergreen Hardwood
Specie Baltic Oak
Colour C1
Finish Modified Hardwax
Note – Multiple boards to
illustrate variations.

Evergreen Hardwood
Specie: Baltic Oak AB
Colour: C1
Finish: Modified Hardwax Tan

Evergreen Hardwood
Specie: Baltic Oak AB
Colour: C1
Finish: UV Polyurethane

Evergreen Hardwood
Specie : Baltic Oak AC
Colour : Refinished C3 Bistro
Finish : Modified Hardwax

Evergreen Hardwood
Specie: Baltic Oak BC
Colour: C3 Refinished Bistro
Finish: Modified Hardwax

Evergreen Hardwood
Specie: Baltic Oak AC
Colour : C3 Bistro
Finish : Modified Hardwax

Example of Reactive
Specie :  Western Red Cedar
Colour :  C1  Reactive
Finish :   Un-finished
Note :  Grain, heavily brushed
Specie driven unique colours

Evergreen Hardwood
Specie: Baltic Oak AC
Colour : VF
Finish : UV Hardwax
Full board Herringbone

Evergreen Hardwood
Specie: White Oak
Colour: C1
Finish: UV Hardwax
Heavily textured to mimic weathered, roughsawn barnboard