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We finally took the plunge and decided to go with site-finished red oak hardwood floors in our entire downstairs. As I write, they are tearing out the carpet and laying the wood. We are having the wood cure for 2 weeks before they stain it. I am nervous since this is a huge step. Any words of wisdom? I have not picked out a stain and love the dark wood finish, but know that it shows more dirt. I also don't know what type of shine/finish to put on them. Any advice is greatly appreciated. I hope this turns out like we want. Thanks
My house was built in 1941 and still has the original red oak hardwood floors. Fantastic shape after all these years as well. Nice and tight joints with no gaps. I personally like a medium/light stain on the oak and a high gloss finish. I am going to be redoing our floors in a few weeks and that is what I am putting down. I like colors like "Golden Pecan" or "Golden Oak" myself (Both are minwax colors and can be viewed on their website Minwax® Wood Finish™ - Wood Stains - Minwax.com (http://www.minwax.com/products/wood_stains/wood_finish.cfm?tn=4&td=Tue%20Oct%2014%202008%2014 :07:50%20GMT-0400%20(Eastern%20Daylight%20Time)#Colors - broken link))
I am impressed with the Fabulon finishes if you can find them. I am going to be using either their "Crystal" or the heavy-duty polyurethane line on my floors.
Here is a shot I just took of the original 67 year old red oak floors in the living room. Finish is badly worn, but the wood is still in great shape. Proper care and yours will outlast you as well.
we had our hardwood floors re-done a couple years ago, when we had our kitchen remodeled. we went with a very light golden tone, nearly natural stain. this was a big change from the darker oak stain we previously had. we also went with the satin finish instead of the gloss. we are very pleased!
We left our oak floors natural and used polyurethane to protect them. They look sort of honey colored. We love the hardwood floors. So easy to maintain and much healthier.
I have been toying with the idea of leaving our floors natural when I redo them and putting the same finish bowling alleys use for the lanes. That should last for 4 kids and a dog.
Seems a lot are going satin finish as opposed to the shine. Don't know why though. Ours is shine and honey colored. They do show dust, but there's a Swiffer in the corner that takes care of it pretty well.
Ask your installer for samples of both colors and finishes which they offer. Have them show you samples on YOUR wood. Move the samples around in the room(s) that you are doing so that you can see the samples in all types of lighting conditions, and during all times of the day, sunlight and overcast conditions, etc.
Light tones are good. So are dark ones, and mediun ones and natural ones. The question is, what do you LIKE the best. Don't worry about which ones show dirt, dust etc. the most. Pick what YOU love. Unless you're a real piggy housekeeper, what shows on your floor is less important than what you think reflects your tastes and the overall decor of your home.
Don't make this harder than it is.
Streamer1212
P.S. - I have 32 years of experience in the flooring field, so this is not casual information. Good luck, and enjoy!
Golden Oak is my choice. I've had hardwood floors in all my homes for decades - wouldn't have anything else. I've also done what you are having done. Everything will be fine...as long as you chose a reputable company to do it. It will look beautiful!
Just be careful about furniture leg bottoms (chairs in particular) or anything that may cause scratches in the course of daily living. We always take our shoes off before entering the house and either go barefoot or wear socks so as not to bring any grit into the house. (Been doing that religiously for many years.) Grit is an enemy of hardwood floor finishes. If you like rugs (i.e. oriental rugs and runners) they look great on hardwood floors. Oh, red oak flooring with Golden Oak finish is my favorite. Whatever you do (as someone else stated) do not go too dark...because it will eat up the light reflectance in the room, make the room appear smaller, show every imperfection and tiny particles, and almost certainly make your wood furniture appear mismatched with the room's flooring color.
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Darker wood floors show dirt more easily?? is it dirt or dust? 
