Southern Pine durability should not have to be in question, look around and find out the price for reclaimed heart pine, locally. Southern Pine handles moisture and temperature changes better than most species, we build decks and docks out of it!
Southern Pine Durability is legendary.
You have probably seen the evidence of Southern Pine durability, such as Antique Reclaimed Heart Pine. Ever seen a 100-year-old house with pine floors? What about the price and beauty of Antique Reclaimed Heart Pine. Think about it, Antique Oak looks a lot like new oak in that, unlike pine, it does not get better looking with age. Southern Pine purchased today will outlive the house, only to be reclaimed one day and sold for triple today’s price. From an investment standpoint, that ain’t bad.
Janka Rating & Southern Pine Durability
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.
Moisture and wood flooring
Moisture and wood are not friends. However, real wood flooring can go through a flood and dry out, the same cannot be said for laminate or LVT. Forget about this “waterproof” term you see when shopping at boxes and liquidation stores. Waterproof, really, it is proof not resistant? Real wood with the right finish creates longevity and durability only ‘engineered by mother nature. For the record and to repeat again, Southern Pine, on the microscopic level, is more porous than most hardwoods which allows moisture to “come and go” without swelling, for example.
Engineered floors opposite of durable
Does anyone remember when the words engineered and flooring were put together? Probably not, but engineered flooring has long been a product, or bi product of solid wood or prefinished solid wood. Originally, it was the veneers or leftovers that mill works shops used to create engineered flooring. Today, it is the direct opposite in our industry. Crazy warranties claim to be waterproof and have fueled the single use floor cover craze. We ship of timber to Asia which returns as slivers, furthermore all of it ends up in a landfill.
Southern Pine durability and the finish
What is the best finish for your pine floors? The question was asked so often early on we decided we needed to test them all, or it seemed like it. We love clear and simple, but if you need color – go Monocoat and you cannot go wrong. We keep it simple, Monocoat by Rubio. Directions, sand, apply, dry. Beware of local installers who claim to be pine professionals, in Maine for example. No offense ME, and shout out to clients but you guys are not a hot bed of Southern Yellow Pine experts. The best pine finish for you may not be the same as mine! What are our goals? Protection, maintaining finish, aesthetics or all of the above, of course we want it all. Monocoat has won our loyalty not exclusively but when you “gotta pick one sizes fits all”.