Sunday, October 13, 2013

All About Reclaimed Hardwood Flooring

By Angel Dudley


A home's flooring is generally more about crafting something of beauty or comfort than something which can be cleaned or maintained easily. When people decide to install reclaimed hardwood flooring actually they are choosing the very best of both possible worlds. There is no flooring which is as beautiful or comfortable and as effortlessly cleaned up as a nice wooden floor.

Generally when somebody plans to install wood for their flooring they are amazed at the various types of wood available to install. They may use regular strip floors of a newly remodeled home or use the wide plank floors from older remodeled homes. They could also use tile set wood floors, pegged floors or end grain floors. They might try being unique and use a recycled material like siding or roofing shingles.

There are generally two different ways for getting the wood you will need for floors in the large amounts that are needed. The first one is going to the lumber source like old buildings, homes or barns and remove it themselves. Another way is to find a reputable salvage company and purchase whatever they need for their floors from them.

If you plan to take it out yourself you may be in luck. Salvaging wood flooring is often regarded as one of the simplest items to salvage in buildings. It often requires little more than effort and a truck to remove it, though sometimes you will need to mill new tongue and groove. A good point is that most lumber you remove will be much cheaper than getting it new.

If you choose to buy it, then there are several opportunities for you as well. With more salvage companies opening every month prices for their salvaged lumber has become very competitive in recent years. Always ensure that any lumber you do buy will enough for the application you need it for. Also ensure that the lumber is fairly consistent with size and coloring.

Whatever method you use there are some items to be aware of to make the project go quickly so your time is wisely spent. Always look over the wood for signs of bug, water, rot, smoke and fire damage. You do not want these items. Also go over them for signs of warping. Unless you plan to re-mill the wood make sure it still has the tongue and groove intact.

Once you have taken it home you should store it before it is installed. It is typically best to place it flat on either the top or the bottom. Stack them up no higher than about nine or ten boards high. Stacking it higher may cause it to warp. Put it inside the room you plan to install it so it will acclimate to any humidity in there.

Few things can add as much character for a home than reclaimed hardwood flooring. It typically takes some more work but will last a lifetime and is easy to clean up. With recent price drops there is not a better time to plan for this unique investment for your house.




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