New to the board. I am looking for any input or opinions on the following:

Kitchen and front hall have existing oak hardwood flooring (approx. 7 years old). I am now redoing my family room just off the kitchen. I would like to install hardwood in family room but am concern with the two different shades of stain (or types of wood). Small threshold separating the two rooms with two different shades?? Marble or stone threshold to try to get separation bewteen the two rooms? Has anyone done this before and if so how does it look? One contractor said don't even try to match the existing as it would be nearly impossible. Just go with whatever shade I want and it will look fine. Another contractor said to try and stain match. Install unfinished and try to get it close. I have an issue with the second opinion due to fade and wear on the existing floor. The opening between the kitchen and family room is approx. 11'. In addition, existing flooring is 2 1/4" wide. Would I need to stay same as width or could I go to 5 1/4"?

Any input, comments, suggestions are appreciated as obviously I don't want to spent $$$$ on 300 sq ft of flooring only to find I am not happy with the result.

Thanx in advance for your suggestions.

Dan

The most ideal would be to install the exact same flooring in the new area that is in the old. Then refinish all the floors so they all match.

Gary,

Thanx for your response. I wish it was an ideal situation but unfortunately it isn't in the budget to refinish 3/4 of my main floor. The pre-existing floor includes two hallways, kitchen and main floor bathroom.

Thanx,

Dan

You can run a tile borer or a wood border like one of these http://www.hardwoodinstaller.com/hardwo ... orders.htm and then switch to a different wood in the other room. It is done all the time and it looks very custom if done professionally.

What a great idea!!!! Thanx very much for your suggestion! One of the suppliers is 10 minutes from my work. Expensive but it is worth it to break up the two rooms. I can use it as a threshold instead of an entire border around the room?
Thanx again!

Yes to do it you just don’t use the corner blocks and run the border to the wall.

You can go with any width you would like. But, personally I would stay with 2 1/4".

Thanx to all of you who sent your suggestions and opinions. This issue has kept me up nights (borderline OCD as well). I greatly appreciate it.

Another question on trim. One section covers sliding doors and big panes to back deck. What do you finish it with? Only 1/4 round?

Thanx,

Dan

I believe what you want is a reducer. I am not sure without seeing it though.