Antique Wood Flooring: Restoration of the Past

As a whole, the country we call home is deep in heritage and tradition. Once unsettled and uncertain, this great Nation has endured hardships and calamities that have resulted in the destruction of other countries, however we remain strong and defiant. Rooted deep into yesteryears structures, materials used for construction of personal residences were milled by primitive means but quality constructed withstanding decades of extreme weather conditions. These structures scheduled for demolition, without thought to the heritage that is contained within the four walls, have been discovered to contain some of the most valuable resources for reuse in present times, with restoration of the past and the natural beauty that only time could create.

Due to increased popularity of hardwood floors, manufacturers continue to meet the demand for a more durable and effective means of floor covering that is eco-friendly, cost effective and above all else health conscious. Looking to create earth-friendly interiors of homes and businesses, manufacturers have begun a recycling process using antiquated wood from old, dilapidated structures, there-by reclaiming the past with the invention of a new hardwood flooring sensation that continues to be one of the most popular hardwood flooring materials available today.

With rustic charm and warm character, antique wood flooring is more than a hardwood flooring material. Antique wood flooring is a story of the past, a story of survival and hardships that were overcome under extreme conditions. With heritage abounding throughout antique hardwood flooring clearly depicted in the unusual wood grains and patterns, antique flooring is majestic in appearance, yet remaining silent speaking only through the individual purchaser that has recognized the beauty that lies within each individual piece.

Antique wood flooring is expensive often costing two to three times more than conventional hardwood flooring materials. Available in finished or un-finished surfaces, antique flooring is often considered as a premiere hardwood floor covering seen in upper income level homes adding elegance and profound ambiance that cannot be duplicated by any other available hardwood flooring material. Due to increased awareness and ecological preservation of the environment, antique wood flooring uses only natural re-claimed wood species, saving trees and forest preservation, vital to the existence of natural habitat and endangered animal surroundings.

With increased interest in antique flooring by consumers, the following facts should be taken into consideration when selecting a specific flooring material:

• Hardwood flooring is the most “coveted” wood currently used in flooring applications

• Antique wood flooring is for the most part, pine

• Different grades of antique hardwood flooring are similar to other grades of lumber

• Knot-free, antique wood flooring boards command a higher price per square foot

• Antique wood flooring is available in finished or unfinished surfaces and can be stained or clear coated to preserve the integrity of wood grains and patterns

The unparalleled beauty of antique wood flooring is at best, hard to describe and must be experienced in person. True appreciation of the elegance of finely restored antique flooring is more than a selection, it is a restoration of the past.