Discolouration gets blamed on "wear and tear" as a catch-all — but it's usually one of several distinct causes, each needing a different fix. Here's how to tell them apart.
"It's just wear and tear" is the explanation most homeowners reach for when their parquet's colour changes — but discolouration is rarely simple mechanical wear. It's usually a chemical or light-driven process happening to the wood and finish, and different causes need genuinely different fixes.
Here's what's actually behind the colour change, and how to tell one cause from another.
Wear and tear typically refers to physical abrasion — scratches, dents, thinning of the finish from foot traffic. Discolouration is different: it's usually a colour change in the wood or finish itself, driven by light exposure, oxidation, moisture, or chemical reaction, not by the surface being physically worn away.
This distinction matters because the fix is different too. Physical wear responds to sanding and refinishing. Some discolouration does too, but other types (like UV fading under a rug) need a change in light exposure, not just a fresh coat of varnish, to stop recurring.
UV exposure and oxidation. Wood is a photosensitive, organic material — direct sunlight and even indoor lighting cause a natural oxidation reaction over time. Depending on species, this makes wood lighter (oak, maple) or darker (cherry, walnut). It's gradual, inevitable to some degree, and speeds up dramatically with direct sun.
Uneven fading from rugs and furniture. A rug or heavy furniture piece blocks UV light from reaching the floor beneath it — when moved after months or years, the covered area stands out as a different shade from the surrounding, sun-exposed floor.
Water and moisture staining. Unlike UV fading's even, gradual change, water exposure causes localised, often darker patches, sometimes with visible swelling — a chemical reaction between water, minerals, and the wood's natural tannins.
Ageing varnish. Oil-based finishes in particular yellow and darken as they age, independent of the wood underneath — this is the finish changing colour, not the timber itself.
Pet stains. Pet urine is acidic and can break down finish and penetrate the wood, creating dark, often stubborn stains distinct from general fading.
| Cause | Pattern | Fixable by Refinishing? |
|---|---|---|
| UV/oxidation fading | Even, gradual, whole-room | Yes, but will recur without light control |
| Rug/furniture shadow | Sharp-edged patch matching object shape | Yes, evens out with full sand |
| Water staining | Localised, often darker, may swell | Usually, if wood isn't rotted |
| Ageing varnish | Yellowish tint, whole floor | Yes – new finish resolves this |
| Pet stains | Dark, localised, may smell | Often, deep stains may need board replacement |
Illustrative — moisture-related staining develops far faster than light-driven colour change, which is one clue to the underlying cause.
A full sand and refinish evens out most discolouration by removing the affected surface layer — but for UV-driven fading specifically, addressing light exposure afterward is what keeps the fresh, even colour from splitting apart again over the following months.
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