13 Jan

Made in America?

Made in America means real wood

What is the made in USA rule?

“Of course, it is made in American it came from Home Depot, and it says so in the name, American Walnut.!” But like many things (cars), this term is added to make you feel good about the purchase even though you wanted real wood. Terminology

Made in America today means the finish with engineered floors and only boxes with anything else such as laminate. It leaves of lumber and comes back a Veneer assembled to a composite of undetermined origins. Yes there are Made in America engineered floors, but they are so expensive and almost always unnecessary.

Not so fast. Would you believe that very little of this “engineering” is done here? We send our trees around the world, and they come back as veneers ‘engineered’ with composite pressed board backs.

Floor Covers. A floor cover by (our 100% made up) definition is any temporary cover designed to be placed on top of something for a period of time, torn and repeat until the house falls down. On the other hand our (actual) floors will outlive your house, one day be reclaimed and become a coffee table, or accent wall.

Floor Covers typically not made in America

Made not re-imported

Re-imported? We call them rim-ports and yes they count as exports of lumber and imported back as veneers or worse. Our industry sends timber to South East Asia where it is “engineered”, why go to all that trouble? Money of course, saving it on labor, materials and regulations.

Nordic Construction: Spotlight Made in America? Jason Howard, SYP Direct Co-Founder November 20 2023

Southern Pine in the great Northwest

Nordic Construction, Dreary Idaho and owner Mike Rosen are the focus of our Made in America post, for good reason. Mike Rosen, is a retired United States Marine, 10 years enlisted and 12 years as a commissioned officer. Today Mike does some amazing work as hunting guide for a program called Freedomhunters.org. Nordic Construction absolutely represents the best of Made in the USA; and we are truly grateful to have them as our partner.

Nordic Construction is a member of the SDVOB Small Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses.

Nordic Construction is our exclusive distributor for Southern Yellow Pine covering the Inland Northwest, as well as California and the Oregon Coast. Want to talk to Mike, our first partner west of Austin, email him by clicking here.

Why does this stuff matter so much to SYP Direct Floors, the owners; including the writer of every word on this site?

Call us homeowner advocates, the only honest folks in a horrible dishonest business. We have over a decade carrying an A+ BBB rating because we do not lie or charge to much, it is that easy. The idea that some box store will sell you something that adds value to your house, when that entity has shareholders to keep happy, is rather naive. Price to Earnings Ratio and Shareholder Equity is important, not your home equity; in fact your house is the customer and it will repeat over and over. It matters, real wood matters.

01 Jan

Say yes to pine walls

Walls and Other, Wood Floor Shopping

Should you Paint or Stain your southern pine walls?

This is not an attempt to avoid the answer but this is personal but here is how my decision is made. “I would always paint, if budget is an issue buy from the clearance rack, if not buy Monocoat by Rubio because it is zero VOC. The clearance rack is actually a green choice because it could be used for a lot worse things that have a much shorter life. And, if you use 3/4 boards, one day someone will take them down and that paint can be sanded done to a form a undertone which is big money if done by finish shop!” (Jason Howard, 2024}. Now that is my take on things but it is far from the norm because I love to make new floors look old; an old coat of paint or new one, sanded off can be made to look very cool. (See below).

Salvaged pine decking using skins 1/2 thick — Salvaged decking circa 1908

Reclaimed Pine Wall Skins: The ultimate repurpose

Well, at least I hope you think it looks “cool”, that photo is my work and our guest bathroom. Here is an example of wood painted, sanded, stained and finished. The point? Painting our gorgeous Southern Pine and your are 1/4 of the way there already. And before you say the stain would do the same thing, it does not. It is far more uniform, for age, and certainly for anyone trying to distress their floor (former walls) paint is easy one you get the prototype. Call me for more, I am running out of room.

Transform your space with the timeless beauty of pine walls. Whether you’re looking to create a cozy cabin retreat or add rustic charm to your home, our premium V Groove and Ship-lap pine walls are the perfect choice. With their classic design and natural wood grain, these walls will instantly elevate the aesthetic of any room. Experience the warmth and character that only pine can offer, while enjoying the durability and easy installation of our expertly crafted panels. Don’t settle for ordinary walls when you can have the stunning elegance of pine. Upgrade your space today with our exquisite Pine Walls.

Accent walls are more popular than ever — Garage

14 Dec

Pressure Treated Southern Pine

Wood Floor Shopping, Unique and or Cheap, Walls and Other

Southern Pine has long been the preferred species for pressure treatment because of its unique cellular structure that permits deep, uniform penetration of preservatives. Porous defines the cellular structure of Southern Pine, which allows the species to handle changes better than most. Some 85% of all pressure-treated wood produced in the U.S. is Southern Pine. Southern Yellow Pine Direct offers treated dimensional lumber such as the 4 x 4 beams shown below. Contact Jason for details.

Treated Southern Pine is durable like no other species

If you are measuring Southern Pine durability remember not all pine is created equal, furthermore, the durability doesn’t depend on the Janka Rating. And this rating only rates Yellow Pine, i.e., Southern Yellow Pine, not the (standalone) species. A dozen species make up the description, Southern Yellow Pine. And for the record, Eastern White Pine is not one of them. Durability is about handling stress such as temperature and humidity, moisture is the killer for wood floors.

Pressure treated KDAT decking

Kiln Dried After Treatment Lumber (KDAT) is a drying process that occurs after pressure treating wood – once lumber is pressure treated with chemicals, kiln drying removes excess moisture and chemicals left behind to help minimize the natural tendencies of wood to warp, cup and shrink. All of our treated lumber is KDAT materials and if you are shopping for deck boards, those are 4 important letters.

Benefits of KDAT Pressure Treated Southern Pine

Even drying minimizes cups, warps, checks and shrinks
Easier to handle, cut and plane
Lighter than “wet” or “green” treated lumber
More nail-holding and screw-holding power
Easier to drill and saw

What does pressure treated mean?

Pressure-treated lumber is the result of a process that uses high pressure to inject a preservative into the wood. We use Copper Azole, a water-based wood preservative that prevents fungal decay and insect attack; it is a fungicide and insecticide.

How many years does pressure-treated wood last?

Just like any wood, this depends on the exposure to water and the earth. Ground contact wood needs ground contact treatment but in generally upwards of 15 years for decks in the south.

So if you are putting in a new deck, give us a call. If it is Southern Pine, SYP Direct is one place you get the honest information and pricing. We have an A+ rating with the BBB because we do not sacrifice honesty to make a sale, never. Family owned and if you call, you will talk with one of us. We are waiting to hear from you.

April 1st 2024- Lumber prices are moving higher, again. We are still well below COVID high prices, but up 25% in the past two months. We believe the trend continues based on our housing shortage and increasing population.

13 Dec

New York the chicken to barndominium conversion

Unique and or Cheap, Wood Floor Shopping

New York State 2023

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.

Barn into workspace ny state — **Prior to spray foam**

The perfect floor for this open space

New york state wide plank new pine from syp direct — Perfect

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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.

11 Dec

Historic Restorations

Finish and Install

Historic Restorations

If you are part of a historic restoration, please give us a call. Let us explain how ‘outsourcing’ the creation of your matching floor will save money, “a bunch of it”, but more than that it gives you creative control, 100%. Find out how. [/vc_message]

Historic Restorations might require 500 or 50,000 square feet Park Terrace, is an example of a very large job. One that was about getting the floor exactly right, requiring multiple drafts; and, no surprise the savings we provided landed us the job.

Historic Restorations are more common than ever

Historic Restorations, rehabilitation, and updating save some of our most amazing properties. Our first post looks at 3 organizations dedicated to preserving historic properties of all types. Mississippi. Louisiana and North Carolina, the states we will visit first; to the volunteers, board members and donors we say thank you. Thanks so much for keeping these amazing properties a part of their community and neighborhoods.

Restorations versus historic restorations

Restoration focuses on preserving and utilizing as much material as possible from the most significant point in the home’s history. Think of Restore versus rehabilitate as historically accurate restorations specific to a time period, versus simply “keeping the overall feel of a property”. Rehabilitation repairs the historic materials when possible but “new” materials are acceptable, i.e. matching an old floor.

Don’t pay for age, create it!

Faux Age

Mississippi heritage 10 most endangered historic restoration sites

Preservation North Carolina

Preservation North Carolina is known as “the animal shelter for old houses,” awesome nickname derived from their mission. Factory mills, commercial buildings, schools, churches, general stores, and post office are all part of the Endangered Properties Program. Since inception this 4500-member strong organization has rescued over 800 historic properties.

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New Orleans Historic Districts

In Louisiana, the Preservation Reservation Resource Center of New Orleans has been the architect of some amazing historic restorations. “The PRC preserves New Orleans’ historic architecture, neighborhoods and cultural identity through collaboration, empowerment and service to our community.” PRCNO.org (2020). From the Garden District to Bourbon street without organizations such as the PRNCO we lose history.

Historic restorations properties available in nc from prenc

Mississippi

Mississippi Heritage Trust: 10 most endangered

The Mississippi Heritage Trust list the ’10 Most Endangered Historic sites’, which offers us the chance to rescue history. Since 1992, the Mississippi Heritage Trust helps raised money and grants funding to projects all over the state. We love the larger project such as the Sun and Sand located in downtown Jackson, but the 10 most endangered historic sites list is just cool!

Save historic sites

What a great idea, allowing local residents to nominate those places less prominent, to others. The MHT may be the most important of any statewide organization, saving small towns and projects which otherwise would have vanished. For example, In Mississippi, these small rural projects have no private or municipal funding locally, MHT is the net.

Substituting for expensive reclaimed materials

Can Historic Restorations use substitute floors?

Substitutes are rarely accepted and never the first choice of an historic restoration, as they want accuracy. Homeowners desire to all thing ‘reclaimed’ created a thriving market. With this market came a huge range of prices. What defines the way these materials are marketed to the homeowner?

Do not pay too much

People pay $15.00 when $5.00 was fair, happens everyday. Don’t believe that could happen to you? In every picture at least one or all but one of the boards are reclaimed or salvaged, the other new.

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Historic restorations using reclaimed heart pine — Antique reclaimed

Restoration projects in virginia prescott construction — Antique reclaimed

Visit our Pinterest Page for more Projects

How long does it take to acclimate pine, how long does acclimation take depends upon moisture content.

04 Dec

Acclimation in six steps

Finish and Install, Wood Floor Shopping

25 Oct

Truckload Pricing

Wood Floor Shopping

What does truckload pricing mean, exactly?

Truckload pricing, while not a set amount of square footage, because all trucks are different and 8′ boards travel different than 14′. Our New Heart Pine and #2 grade from Alabama has no volume discounts anywhere close to these prices- it is not the same product. Both produce quality beyond reproach and choosing, really is a matter of taste.

Truckload pricing- Southern Pine not our Heart Pine

These prices are based on volume and the date of contract price may change based on Chicago Mercantile Exchange, symbol- lum. Why is that important? At height of COVID the price reached 1250 mbf, today the price is 510 mbf after reaching a low of 420 or so. So those projects you investigated two years ago might be more attractive today. Tongue and groove, V-Groove, Ship-lap and even treated KDAT materials including 8′ beams (4×4) for $12.00 each when you order decking. Anything pine- call us now.

Truckload pricing – Minimum orders

While in theory there is not minimum order the order must be large enough to warrant a dedicated truck, flatbed. We can accommodate you with dedicated truck for, 3000 square feet for example, however transportation becomes LARGER percentage of the total with smaller orders. Here are two examples of the delivered cost per square foot. Two delivered for around $2.00 and another $3.00 the higher price is width, yes but the real increase comes from shipping as it moves from .30 per sq ft on 9000 sq ft to $1.00 on 3000 sq ft. (both equal $3000.00)

9,000 sq ft 1 x 6 x 10 UNTREATED and unfinished – $1.69 per square foot V groove shipped to Idaho, delivered cost under $2.00.
13,200 sq ft 1 x 8 x 12 UNTREATED and unfinished – $1.81 per square foot V groove shipped to Nashville delivered $2.02.
3000 sq feet 1 x 10 x 10 #2 Southern Yellow Pine shipped to Colorado Springs, Colorado- materials- $2.10 delivered cost $3.12. Still an amazing deal, in Colorado.

#2 Knotty Southern Pine

What is the difference between Alabama and Louisiana Southern Pine from SYP Direct?

Truckload pricing from our New Heart Pine mill in Alabama is not the same type of price break (%) as our Louisiana source. And the reason for the price difference is easy to spot when comparing the boards- sapwood and heartwood, aka color. Compare.

24 Oct

Black Walnut Floors

Wood Floor Shopping

American Black Walnut

The Popularity of Black Walnut

Its popularity continues to grow, particularly in the United States where dark tones are trending. According to last year’s Annual Wood Species and Design Survey, administered by the Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc., walnut was the top choice for bedroom and home office furniture, second in entertainment centers, and third in dining room furniture. Walnut Floors in wide planks surged in popularity during this century, prices have followed seeming to rise every year.

Black Walnut from the pine folks

SYP Direct offers Black Walnut floors in unfinished 3/4 solid and unfinished engineered, 3/4 with 6 mm wear layer. Black Walnut floors offer a rich to purplish brown heartwood. The grain varies with the grade but straight grain is the most prevalent. Wavy or curly grain is sometimes present, we see it in the Euro Character grade. Black Walnut floors are tough and hard, they are moderately easy to finish and install, more on that if you are interested.

The DIY Suitability of American Black Walnut

It would be hard to overstate the species’ popularity among woodworkers in the United States. Its cooperative working characteristics, coupled with its rich brown coloration puts the wood in a class by itself among temperate-zone hardwoods. To cap it off, the wood also has good dimensional stability, shock resistance, and strength properties. The downside, price, price and price. Some allergies are reported and Walnut doesn’t really stain stain too well, but why would you stain it anyway- that is why you buy it, to see it.

18 Oct

The SYP Direct Philosophy

Wood Floor Shopping

The best part about the SYP Direct philosophy, it is so easy; “One House, One Floor”. We have grown our business organically with referrals and repeat business. Old school customer service, personal and without any sales pressure. In fact, most of the time we are validating what you already knew but because of all the nonsense you hear when shopping for a floor you begin to think; “is laminate just as good as real wood”?

Syp direct flooring is all about heart pine — Adding age not buying it

The SYP Direct Philosophy- “No repeat business unless you move or add on”.

Why do we sell a product that has zero support in the industry? Furthermore, unfinished wood floors have small margins; in addition it is very long and heavy requiring far more work that something you stick down by peeling of the back. Because the SYP Direct Philosophy is about creating value for the homeowner, and frankly, we do not want to lie to every single customer that called us. If we sold laminate, LVT or 2mm engineered flooring, every caller would hear the same garbage you hear in box stores.

Southern Yellow Pine Direct – “No small print, hidden fees or unhappy customers”.

Our success and growth has been organic, not repeat business and certainly not advertising. Imagine, your being told to buy that creates a future liability rather than investing in your home. It is disgusting and it all started with laminate, read my rants for more on this transfer of wealth, from you to shareholders and executives option packages. A+ BBB Rating.

And ask were they “engineered” you floor, somethings are better as imports but not your floors.

(more…)

18 Oct

Finish to order

Finish and Install, Our favorite Finishes

Load More Posts

Made in America means real wood

What is the made in USA rule?

Floor Covers typically not made in America

Made not re-imported

Nordic Construction: Spotlight Made in America? Jason Howard, SYP Direct Co-Founder November 20 2023

Southern Pine in the great Northwest

Nordic Construction is a member of the SDVOB Small Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses.

Why does this stuff matter so much to SYP Direct Floors, the owners; including the writer of every word on this site?

Should you Paint or Stain your southern pine walls?

Reclaimed Pine Wall Skins: The ultimate repurpose

Treated Southern Pine is durable like no other species

Pressure treated KDAT decking

Benefits of KDAT Pressure Treated Southern Pine

What does pressure treated mean?

How many years does pressure-treated wood last?

New York and Southern Pine

First Chicken to human barndominium

The perfect floor for this open space

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

Southern Pine is not a species- FYI

Historic Restorations

Historic Restorations are more common than ever

Restorations versus historic restorations

Don’t pay for age, create it!

Preservation North Carolina

Mississippi

Substituting for expensive reclaimed materials

Acclimation about moisture differential

Acclimation is not about time

Equilibrium floor and sub floor.

What does truckload pricing mean, exactly?

Truckload pricing- Southern Pine not our Heart Pine

Truckload pricing – Minimum orders

#2 Knotty Southern Pine

What is the difference between Alabama and Louisiana Southern Pine from SYP Direct?

American Black Walnut

The Popularity of Black Walnut

Black Walnut from the pine folks

The DIY Suitability of American Black Walnut

The SYP Direct Philosophy- “No repeat business unless you move or add on”.

Southern Yellow Pine Direct – “No small print, hidden fees or unhappy customers”.

Finish to order versus Site Finished solid wood floors

Prefinished floors are created, marketed then sold; finish to order is all no choice no marketing.

Prefinished laminate hardwood floors- the words do not belong together but just go to a box store.