19 Apr

Customer Service

#1 Customer Service - SYP Direct

Customer Service and SYP Direct- The best in customer service produced our A+BBB rating. From your first source of information, navigating you to the right person acting as shipping concierge for your delivery. It is the last one that might go un-noticed but when dealing with common carriers the pitfalls can cost money.

Shipping company customer service is oxy-moron

SYP Direct does not own trucks, we utilize LTL routes with trusted common carriers. Even so, it seems some issue needs attention with 20% of shipments. The amount of money Heather has saved our customers versus shipping themselves would be greater than our income during that same time period.

It takes more than customer service to keep an A+ rating. The product has to meet the quality of experience and our manners. When you ship long heavy pallets to Idaho for example, a bunch of things can go wrong and a beat up floor is not good regardless of price!

Customer Service means becoming your advocate

The main ingredient- Selling to homeowners sometimes requires dealing with installers that prefer to bundle services. We offer SYP Direct customer service for that situation starting with nice, sometimes ending with finding them a new installer. Our role, epitomized by Heather, is to increase homeowner equity with real wood floors and today that means arguing the status quo more times than not.

Did you know that 75% of people shopping for floors think that laminate and hardwood sound ok together. Laminate hardwood flooring is like saying aluminum foil armor.

Customer Service from first contact

“She explained it in way that made perfect sense”, part of recent Idaho customer’s email represent a common theme when describing interactions with us, specifically Heather our co-founder. Transparent customer service for the Do-it-Yourself Homeowner continues to be the foundation of our business.

SYP Direct welcomes homeowners and those searching for solid wood floors. Keep reading or visit our homepage.

Same service no matter what size the order

Telling the truth is serving the customer

“I’ve done multiple orders with SYP Direct and have had fantastic service! Heather does a great job of getting you the exact flooring you need at a great price. If you try to get your flooring from the same place you get your 2x4s you will waste a lot of time and money. You’ll also end up with a subpar product at a high price. If you need pine flooring, call these guys first! I will definitely be using them again for future project. I’ve done multiple orders with SYP Direct and have had fantastic service! Heather does a great job of getting you the exact flooring you need at a great price. If you try to get your flooring from the same place you get your 2x4s you will waste a lot of time and money. You’ll also end up with a subpar product at a high price. If you need pine flooring, call these guys first! I will definitely be using them again for future projects.”(Gregory, G May 2022).

The truth matters

Talking to customers, actually talking not a text- is a lost art with some companies. Unfortunately, words are what got us into this mess. Most have misconceptions going into their search and all the marketing does not help. The industry is driven by repeat business and commissions based on volume, especially when a new line comes into the store. Customer service becomes secondary to paying lease, lights, employees and advertising.

Repurpose real wood

Repurpose real wood – salvaged or reclaimed. We want everyone to repurpose real wood. With that in mind, please enjoy this video which cost us $75.00 six years ago, We are “thrifty” like most of our customers, but the content is good. Salvaged is ‘saved’, reclaimed is repurposed; and not the kind of repurposing we are talking about with our folk art. The video should clear it up and if you are shopping for reclaimed […]

Knotty southern yellow pine floors mi lake

Glue down Southern Pine

In reality, you can glue down Southern Pine in standard 3/4 thickness. No problem, you want to glue down Southern Pine you use Bostiks Best. It has a built in moisture barrier and is urethane based so that is allows movement like a nail. But today, in this blog glue down Southern Pine is 1/2 inch, with the long lengths up to 14′ an option. SYP Direct does not sell anything but real wood and […]

How to identify Heart Pine

Welcome to our blog post on how to identify heart pine. To be clear, we are talking about how to identify New Heart Pine. In this informative guide, we will provide you with valuable insights on recognizing heartwood, and in a broader context, ‘heart content’. Both of these are essential for those homeowners (installation professionals) looking for quality New Heart Pine. Quality is easy to define, with the end result being an installation and a […]

1x10x12 wide plank new heart pine flooring

18 Aug

Is it Kiln dried?

Misconceptions, Misdirections and Misinformation, Customer Bill of Rights

We use 2 step, air and then computerized steam. “Is it Kiln dried to 6% like White Oak”? We get this a whole bunch even from installers, mostly up north. (joke, sort of). All of our floors are kiln dried to 10% or just under. Yes, Oak is 6% but Heart Pine is not White Oak. At a molecular level pine allows moisture to both ‘come and go’ without losing integrity, not so with many hardwoods. Kiln dried with relief grooves on the back. Our boards are precision milled; tongue and groove with straight edges and ends every board is barefoot ready.

Is is Kiln dried using air?

Air-drying lumber simple means to stack lumber and expose it to the outdoors. Depending on the species of wood and desired moisture content the air-drying process could take several months to almost a year. Make sure to properly stack the wood for sufficient air circulation and acclimation.

Call now for quotes, samples and answers 888 286 2057

Is it Kiln dried to reduce moisture?

Kiln drying is a standard practice in wood production mills and serves to efficiently bring green lumber moisture levels down to “workable” range–moisture content levels that will not end in the myriad of problems that can be caused by excess moisture levels in wood.

What Is Kiln-Dried Wood?

Kiln-dried wood is wood that has been dried in an oven (kiln). With a kiln, you can control the environment such as temperature, humidity, and steam levels for a set period. Allowing you to dry wood to the desired moisture content faster than air-drying.

Builder CR Brown finish and install in VA from the best

03 Jun

The best pine in Virginia

Wood Floor Shopping

Where can Virginians find the best pine in Virginia, unfinished heart pine flooring direct to the job site? In Alabama of course. The large stands new mature Longleaf pine are hard to find in the Commonwealth. When pine flooring becomes the subject most homeowners assume we are referring to Antique Reclaimed Heart Pine or some type of prefinished product. Why SYP Direct? Homeowners, you may decide to buy the cheapest, you may want the most expensive but you will be informed correctly in order to make that decision yourself. Virginians, dig that.

Virginia Pine Floors

Virginia Pine (Pinus Virginiana), more commonly known as Scrub pine, is not the best pine in Virginia. VA residential deliveries rank in our top 5 every year, and the state boast SYP Direct’s largest number of professional partners. Over the years, we have provide materials for a number historic restorations, a train station, a corporate retreat, barndominiums, a wedding chapel, and the coolest wall you have ever seen. Southern Yellow Pine Direct produces the best pine floors VA residents can buy, we just do it in Alabama.

Local Heart Pine

Knotty pine wide planks Local Heart Pine in VA usually refers to Antique Reclaimed flooring, but SYP Direct offers a great substitute. Our wide plank Heart Pine, Caribbean and Longleaf, are both easy to antique which is faux age and much cheaper. We have partners for finish and install around the state, call SYP Direct before paying too much for too little. Mark is a great example of our customers who found how to buy the best pine in Virginia. Simple, research the subject without reading the box store ads. Approach investing in your home like you would a car, which depreciates by the way! Think about what you can do with $15,000 in 7 years! That is why VA, find us- they get real wood is better than fake.

CR Browne Pembroke VA

Chris Browne Construction is a Pembroke VA contractor. CR Browne has created some amazing floors using our materials. For example, the floor seen to the left is our Prime Grade Caribbean Heart Pine. Of course, Chris understands we are his local source for the best pine floors. But more importantly, he knows how to make it look fantastic.

Paul Harris Chesapeake VA

PG Harris Construction Company, owned and operated by Paul and Teresa Harris, get it! They want you to have real wood as much as you do. PGC has a tremendous portfolio of successful projects including, multi-family, municipal, and historical renovations, they know where to find the best pine in Virginia.

The Wall What a great visual example of Caribbean Heart Pine. Paul had the idea to create an ‘accent’ piece became the showpiece of the dealership in Virginia Beach. “Everyone ask about”, we were told after calling to ask how the Wall was received. Cool is the word we hear the most while showing a customer this picture, it really is just cool.

mix grades 1 and #2 of Southern Longleaf Pine

30 May

Meet Virginia

Wood Floor Shopping

For some Virginia installation professionals and VA Builders SYP Direct is secret to be kept from Virginia homeowners. For a variety of reasons some (more than 1 in 2) Virginia builders choose not to share photos of a specific job. However, mentioning their business name as a partner, not a problem when you call us. Since 2014, we have delivered over 200,000 square feet of unfinished pine to homeowners. VA residential deliveries rank in our top 5 every year. And the state boast SYP Direct’s largest number of professional partners. Over the years, we have provide materials for a number historic restorations. Including a train station, a corporate retreat, barndominiums, a wedding chapel, and the coolest wall you have ever seen. So when we call ourselves local, it is because we were there every step of the way with all of these customers.

Virginia Installation Professionals

Installation professionals differ from VA Builders within our terminology but they are in many instances one in the same. As you search, we can help but one key to remember, time is money and real wood takes time. Today with manufactures pushing LVT , finding an installer willing to work with your unfinished floors can be tough without our help. We have dozens of installation professionals in Virginia who will use our materials creating your floor. However more than half of them will not share our name or site. Unless,you find us yourself or ask for us by name. The moral of this story, do your own research as this is your investment.

Southern yellow pine direct offers stair treads to match our heart pine

VA repeat customers

“We found SYP online and called to get more information, which is what we got, for sure. We had no idea the differences in pine and how much different their floors were than the ones we found locally. After seeing samples side by side, the was no question which floor we were going to buy and we are so glad that we did. We love our Knotty Pine and the amazing colors. Thanks SYP” (Carol V Roanoke VA)

Alternative Worksite

VA Pine Floors an ‘alternative setting’

One the coolest things about the Alternative Worksite is that it is open to artists of all disciplines, backgrounds, and skill levels. At any point in our frustrated artist life, they can step away focus on the creative process. The mission of Alternative Workspace is to enhance the overall creativity of artist by providing the “perfect setting”.

The best pine in Virginia comes from Alabama

Virginia Homeowners we want to get you the best real Southern Pine floor, at the best price. Furthermore, if you need help with installation, or finish, we can help. Remember, sometimes local installers can be problem. Bundled services requires that you buy the wood they sell, not what is best for your home. To find out more give SYP Direct a call, today.

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Wisconsin repeat knotty pine customer P Nushart

27 May

Wisconsin #2 Knotty Pine

Wood Floor Shopping

Where does Wisconsin buy the best #2 Knotty Pine? Southern Yellow Pine Direct is the choice for dozens of homeowners a year. We ship all over the United States and WI sales always ranks in our top 12-15 states for number of orders. However, in 2016 WI resident P. Nushart asked us to do something unique and very difficult regarding his flooring order. Pete asked us to deliver his Knotty Pine floor on the date of his wedding anniversary, the exact date mind you. Pete’s wife had fallen in love with our #2 grade Knotty Pine and he was going to surprise her with the on time arrival of her new floor. No pressure, but any delay would mean ruining a wedding anniversary, so of course we accepted the challenge.

Shipping pine to Wisconsin

Shipping unfinished wood flooring, (4300 lbs of wood floors over 900 miles in this case) is easy, however an exact delivery time a problem. We use LTL carriers to deliver you floors to either your residence or a commercial location. In the case of residential delivery, the devil is in the details, i.e. shippers hate surprises. What this means is that we have to be hyper-vigilant in setting up the delivery. SYP Direct will confirm and get in writing the delivery plan, but there are a number of issues that may come up during delivery, like weather. So to say we went out on a limb for Pete’s anniversary is definitely and understatement.

Happy Anniversary

Local no matter where you live

Wisconsin #2 Knotty Southern Yellow Pine is obviously not grown in Wisconsin, as the Badger state is only southern to Canada. However, SYP Direct is local no matter where you live, WI is not exception. If you live in Wisconsin and think you are too far away, check out Montana or Wyoming customers. To receive a custom quote based on your order and information call 888 286 2057. Search our site for more information, we look forward to talking with you about your project.

More about SYP Direct

Read the reviews on Houzz, Google and our BBB site. Do not take our word for it, search SYP Direct reviews. SYP Direct is short for Southern Yellow Pine Direct, one in the same. The thread is customer service and happy customers. SYP Direct is not magic, things do go wrong, but we fix them. Customer service is the same with 200 to 2000 square feet, furthermore, we are willing educate our clients. In fact, we validate what they know to be true, that real wood is better than fake. Going to bat for the homeowner is not over and above, it is what we do everyday. Want to hear about a few examples of our ownership talking with a local contractor on behalf of our customers, call us.

1x4 Southern Yellow Clear Pine few knots

21 May

Pioneer Log and Timber

Walls and Other

Pioneer log and timber is a custom log home and lodge builder in Montana; what a perfect place to find out how pine handles cold weather. PLT builds the the most amazing log homes you will ever see, no cookie cutters or kits. At Pioneer they are fond of saying; “while it does not take a long time to make a great log home, it does take a long time to learn how to make a home great.” Headquartered in Montana’s scenic Bitterroot Valley, the management team has over 250 years of combined experience in building log and timber frame structures. “We know all the custom homes we’ve built – we remember them all and they are still important to us.” Jay Pohley, Founder Pioneer Log and Timber

April 3rd 2020- If you are interested in a log cabin kit or talking with a project manager, give us a quick call or email. It does not matter where you live, it certainly doesn’t have to be Montana, SYP Direct can help you build it.

Not your Grandfathers Cabin

Log “cabins” and Log homes have come a long way on the trip from woods to the suburbs. Referring to Pioneer Log and Timber structures as cabins is very misleading. Established 1976, PLT of Mt has been at the forefront of this new demand for luxury rustic log homes. Chateaus or Retreats are probably better terms, but popularity of this “style” has skyrocketed. Scott Rouleau of New York City-based J. Rouleau & Associates does marketing consulting for the log home industry. “The industry is booming, unlike the housing industry,” says Rouleau. “Log home manufacturers are getting many calls from architects. The companies I work with can’t build them fast enough—it’s amazing.”

One log at a time

Pioneer Log & Timber, each home crafted in Montana for construction anywhere in North America. And each one is custom. PLT does not sell kits, or plans. They build your home just for you, while keeping budget and timeframe in mind. Pioneer Log & Timber is one of the most selective log home and timber frame builders in North America. We select every log we use one at a time and cut each by hand. The core philosophy is to take care of the environment from which we source our logs.

Montana Lodge builders stresses sustainability

“Being headquartered in Montana, it’s one of our goals to make the forests sustainable. The same old logging and harvesting techniques aren’t good enough today. Those widespread legacies of environmental damage are proof of that we must do better. Tougher environmental standards exist in American forests than they do in Canada and other places. We’ve always believed in using American timber, with American craftsmen to craft and build the best log and timber homes on the planet. ” (Pioneer Log and Timber website 2019)- SYP Direct comment (March 2020); PLT of MT builds homes that will outlive the owners, plus two generations. How many fake floors or cheap materials will be torn out and replaced during that 150 years?

PLT not just in Montana

PLT of Montana has built thousands of log and timber frame structures − including resorts like Big Cedar Lodge near Bronson, MO, and Elk Creek Ranch in Colorado. Along with complete structures PLT created the log timbers for Bass Pro Shops in the United States, and in Canada.

If you thinking about a log home of any kind, Pioneer Log & Timber is the place to start. They will outline the entire project for you, from finding an architect, to the design, and even finding a local builder who can re-assemble your custom home. For more information about PLT – give them a call 406-961-3273.

Real wood floors are Green

Ask most environmentalist about using real wood for flooring, for example, and you will get a lecture. Unfortunately, the lecture will not offer the big picture. The alternative to real wood, all of it, ends up in landfills. Real wood is reclaimed one day, only to become another floor, a much more expensive floor by the way. So before you buy into “leasing” a floor cover because it is friendly to environment, please do the research or call us because we have already done it.

Pine Flooring Delivery means shipping nationwide maintaining A+ rating

The A+ BBB rating is great, but when you understand all that we actually do, including the inherent problem of misinformation, that A+ is truly remarkable. About 2/3 of calls and emails come from folks in parts of the country that do not understand that Southern Yellow Pine is not a species. We must deprogram some misconceptions, it is part of the process. We offer unlimited questions, answered with no agenda, i.e. all floors have the same margins. The A+ rating we carry with the BBB is because we never overlook any step in the sales process. The delivery part of this transaction is really the key to its success. Price per square foot does not matter is; its junk, you are short boards, or they arrive busted up. Our 100% coverage guarantee mandates that we protect the tongue on every board, that is only accomplished with our custom pallets.

Shipping Information

custom pallets protect unfinished pine floors during shipping

21 May

Pine Shipping nationwide

Customer Bill of Rights, Wood Floor Shopping

mill

Customer Service

#1 Customer Service - SYP Direct

Customer Service means becoming your advocate

Customer Service from first contact

Same service no matter what size the order

Telling the truth is serving the customer

The truth matters

Repurpose real wood

Glue down Southern Pine

How to identify Heart Pine

Is it Kiln dried?

Is is Kiln dried using air?

Is it Kiln dried to reduce moisture?

What Is Kiln-Dried Wood?

The best pine in Virginia

Virginia Pine Floors

Local Heart Pine

CR Browne Pembroke VA

Paul Harris Chesapeake VA

Meet Virginia

Virginia Installation Professionals

Alternative Worksite

The best pine in Virginia comes from Alabama

Wisconsin #2 Knotty Pine

Shipping pine to Wisconsin

Happy Anniversary

Local no matter where you live

More about SYP Direct

Pioneer Log and Timber

April 3rd 2020- If you are interested in a log cabin kit or talking with a project manager, give us a quick call or email. It does not matter where you live, it certainly doesn’t have to be Montana, SYP Direct can help you build it.

One log at a time

Montana Lodge builders stresses sustainability

PLT not just in Montana

Real wood floors are Green

Pine Flooring Delivery means shipping nationwide maintaining A+ rating

Pine Shipping nationwide

Shipping nationwide without damages

LTL Multiple Carriers

Price and quality mean nothing without delivery