We have been using our mature Heart Pine and Southern Pine for restorations and in New York for a long time, but this was new. Jason Howard, Co-founder. “New York call us- we cut out your local middle person, probably two of them.”

Our client saw this structure as a canvas, and while I did not ask him if his family and friends thought he was making a mistake, it is a pretty good bet there were a few. This was not remodel, nor is it as simple as a barn conversion, despite the title. The goal was to incorporate the past, save what could be saved all within the context of conversion. Well done we say, but see for yourself.

New York and Southern Pine

Delivering southern pine to New York has its challenges. First, you guys talk funny. But the real challenge comes when it’s in the city and the logistics of delivery, luckily, we love it. We will have a challenge and it’s very easy to make people happy that can’t get anybody else to do it especially without paying 3 or more times what we charge, and that’s the truth. New York, call us before you spend a fortune on your next restoration, build or add on. Hell, call us just to talk. For the record, these floors are 1x8x12 #2 Heart Pine- ¾ x 6 7/8; kiln dried (dual), tongue and groove with relief, planned smooth and the best value among all solid wood floors, bar-none.

How much of this “barn” would you want to salvage, refinish and put in your new home. Keep in mind this is a turn of the century hotel for chickens, i.e. no central heat or air. It was not a welcoming place, nor did the smells bring back any fond memories. So, my guess is most of us would keep nothing but the land and certainly would not crawl through to salvage doors.

First Chicken to human barndominium

To be clear, the word barn should be used very loosely. “It was 3 chicken coops put together; that is why the widows don’t line up. We never new why until we started the demo” (Owner, Local Artist November 2023). Before we go any further, this property is located about 80 miles from the city, it is extremely desirable, which played a motivating role in this decision.

The perfect floor for this open space

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Are you thinking why don’t they just level the chicken houses? Are you from the south, like me? To be clear, the only thing used in the final project was reclaimed (various) wood and the windows, but the point is that part of history was saved along with the materials. This is part of our philosophy, some might say my soapbox. We are a single use society that over looks real for marketing. You cannot repurpose plastic – and it all ends up in the same place, our landfills.

A very cool bonus– a note from when chickens stilled lived here

Time Capsule. When removing old roof, notes from a young boy saying hello, and giving the date, 1939. The note writer ended up being the uncle of a neighbor, “his nephew thought it was so cool, and thanked us for finding them”. Today the note has a frame, residing in the home of family, which puts the exclamation point on cool.

Southern Pine is not a species- FYI

SYP Direct does not sell “Knotty Pine,” we sell a #2 grade Southern Pine with up to 50% heartwood. What is the difference? two grades cannot be compared grades #2 knotty our #2 southern pine is simply a #2 heart pine. Most situations and in most parts of the country the number two grade represents defects, our number two grade simply represents the lack of 50% Heartwood on the face of the board. The important part of that sentence is the #50% because if it does not meet heart pine standards it becomes #2, our number two grade will contain up to 50% heartwood.