Yes, you can have real wood floors, even with concrete sub-floors because, yes you can glue real wood. The solution is adhesive that moves like a nail, (Bostiks Best) but I digress. The reasons “they” tell that real wood is not the right choice for your home or business, are revolve around the old adage that ‘time is money’. Real wood takes time, has no big commissions or sales contest and does not come in a box from a shelf, or it shouldn’t anyway. Read more about milled to order products.
Did you know that we can take our 12′ boards and finish them based on your specifications. Yup, finished to order. Not to be confused with prefinished box store pine floors. A factory or flat line finish is not something that becomes affordable without some volume, so sometimes smaller projects will not work, for people with budgets. In fact, you can finish your cabinets, stairs and trim, all in the same place.
Reclaimed not landfill
Real wood is not more expensive
Do you know why every little town with more than 500 people has a floor covering store? Carpet brought repeat business which meant stores and franchises, you know capitalism.
HINT: When a salesperson uses the words laminate and hardwood in the same sentence, it is like using tin foil and bullet proof vest, as in neither is ever used in the production of the other.
The only places that should ever use laminate are hospitals, schools and prisons. Do you know how much carpet sits in our landfills today? About 22 lbs for every resident, as of 2022. Guess what is gaining every year? Yep, laminate and LVT which all use chemicals, some with a 1000 year half life. Capitalism is good when the public is educated not indoctrinated, said the guy with an Economics degree who now sells wood.
Southern Yellow Pine Direct is the homeowners best advocate and source of truth. We do not sell anything composite. Our floors are engineered by God, or Mother Nature your choice.
Southern Pine, real wood, is the most Eco-friendly choice for your floor, period. The exceptions, of course, are endangered or illegal timber, but that is not relevant to our discussion. Our New Heart Pine is not farmed and take from private landowners. While our Yellow Pine is sourced from North Louisiana, farmed timber. That is great information but the reason the real wood is green? IT LAST FOREVER. In fact, it will be reclaimed or salvaged one day and turned into an accent wall or kitchen table, for example.
Southern Pine Farms
Southern Pine farms are far more productive than natural stands. Although farms represent only about 14 percent of the southern forests, they provide more than half of the wood harvested each year.
Real wood is ‘Green’, like earth friendly green. Managed timber such as Southern Pine regenerate quickly and pose zero threat to global warming. However, plastic does and LVT certainly does. Real wood last forever, everything else ends up in a landfill.
Southern Pine has a rich history in America’s construction industry. It’s important to note that Southern Yellow Pine isn’t a single species, but a group of species that grow in the south. So, when we talk about Southern Yellow Pine, we’re talking about a range of strong and durable wood options. This type of wood, known as Southern Yellow Pine, encompasses several hard species that are known for their durability. It is the word Yellow that tells us these are the “hard” pines versus Whites for example which are too soft for floors.
For centuries, Southern Pine floors have proven to be extremely durable, serviceable, and attractive options for homes and all sorts of other structures including schools, churches, sports venues, and commercial buildings. With its distinctive grain pattern, the golden beauty of a Southern Pine floor is a feature well known to – and often preferred by – designers, builders, and homeowners.
Southern Pine Durability
Southern Pine has been a staple in the construction industry of the United States for many years. Its versatility and strength make it a popular choice for various applications. And while we specialize in Heart Pine floors, our source for building materials is an option for larger orders. See more.
Provincial from min-wax
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.
Pine Wood, Water and the Kiln
Wood is hydroscopic – it will absorb moisture and expand when exposed to humidity. Conversely, wood also expels moisture and shrinks in low humidity environments, changing and balancing with its general surroundings. A door that periodically “sticks” is a good example of this expansion and contraction behavior. Good news! Southern Pine completes these task more efficiently than almost any species.
Moisture equilibrium is the goal
The fact that Southern Yellow Pine is used for dock, decks and exterior siding gives us great example but one many do not consider when thinking about pine wood floors. Moisture equilibrium is the goal, better yet it is a tenant of our goal, a great installation. We Kiln dry your boards at the same time, they are not waiting around to be matched up on day.. this matters but more on that later.
Southern Pine should be sold like wine
IF Pine were sold like wine it would be easy to find the best pine flooring prices. What a concept that Heart Pine and Pine flooring should be priced based on age, species and region. Remember, Southern Yellow Pine doesn’t refer to any one species. In fact, SYP consist of a dozen species, ranging from Texas to Virginia. Unlike the wine market, the pine flooring industry does not value the diversity of species. If SYP was like wine, Alabama Southern yellow pine would be the measuring stick for all other species.
Southern Pine made in the USA, “engineered by God”.
Southern Yellow Pine Direct minimizes the amount of time between the kiln and the jobsite. What does this mean for the pine wood floor installation? 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.
Box store pine floors are not as good as ours and they are more expensive. Let me repeat, apples to apples they way more expensive. And even their cheaper stuff is stupid expensive for what it is, or certainly what it is not. In world where laminate and hardwood are regularly used to market some floor cover, you might want to use a healthy skepticism when floor shopping. Rule number 1- or at least the question to ask when promised a lifetime transferable warranty; so forever?
My name is Jason and this is about box store pine floors
Why is this guy putting his name is the heading? Great question. The same reason you are going to see the term ‘box store pine floors’ over and over; we do not pay for advertising. Much easier said than done, if you are not on the first page its tough. So my great Do It Yourself project has been this website. I wrote every word and am responsible for every typo; but nowhere on this site will I lie or show you a picture that is not our floor and client (client proxy, i.e. builders). Welcome to SYP Direct
Box Store Pine Floors are short, by definition they are not select.
“Select” Knotty Pine and assume it means ‘the best’. No, not all. Select, by definition, indicates ‘hand selected’ during the sorting process. Only problem, it is all ‘hand sorted’ unless you are keeping defects in the grade. Lumber Liquidators does sell select pine, it was selected to be sold for pulp or thrown away, but still selected.
Select is hand selected
Select, or hand select wood floors all come from the same mill. Wait Jason, all box store pine comes from the same mill, right? Think about that for a minute- what size mill, what mill would be willing to sell size at “discount”- not in the real world. Sounds good in sales pitch, but Southern Pine Flooring mills do no business directly with any of box stores. Lumber mills, yes but that is part of the problem- read What is Southern Pine.
The mercantile antique mallPrefinished wide plank heart pineAntiqued southern pineCompare to box store pine
Box stores are great, box store pine floors are not even good compared to YOUR options.
Did you know that we can take our 12′ boards and finish them based on your specifications. Yup, finished to order. Not to be confused with prefinished box store pine floors. A factory or flat line finish is not something that becomes affordable without some volume, so sometimes smaller projects will not work, for people with budgets. In fact, you can finish your cabinets, stairs and trim, all in the same place.
3/4 x 6 7/8 (1 x 8) Mill Run Heart Pine- What is Mill Run?
Our Mill Run Heart Pine, might also be seen in our photos as Character Grade which we had to change a few years back because it is not character grade pine. It is Heart Pine, in 12′ boards sorting with same concept as Euro Character White Oak, we took out the Euro of course. However, Character Pine is now being used to define tavern and cabin grade which a finish. My cousin Bub would call that lipstick on a pig.
Box store pine floors priced over $6.00 check these out
All of these floors were less than than anything you find shopping through box store pine floors. Long boards- Amazing Character.
Finished and yet un-namedCompare these 12′ boards to box store pine
In conclusion, we love Home Depot and Lowes- but their prefinished solid pine floors are a mass produced product.
Caveat’ to that statement, we need lead time and you need to be doing more than one room. I wish it were different but this process is not off the shelf, custom is the proper description. Luxury flooring that beats box store pine prices, no kidding. Not to mention we can finish wide planks and 12′ boards, ask them that at lumber liquidators or whatever they call themselves now. Mill Run Heart Pine, finished clear or tint with topcoat, plus aluminum oxide UV protection- the price depends upon volume, call us now. 888 286 2057 or fill out the contact form.
MORE FROM SOUTHERN YELLOW PINE DIRECT- Our Houzz Pages
Dog friendly floors are all about the finish. Of course, you will here that real wood is not good for big dogs or even dogs in general. This is simply not true, at all. However, before we talk about the finish, we should address the question of Southern Pine and if it is a dog friendly floor. There is so much confusion regarding pine because there are so many variations of this versatile and durable species. First and foremost, not all pine is created equal. Dimensional lumber (2×4) and New Heart Pine are not from the same species, or age of pine but unfortunately this is not common knowledge.
Dog Friendly floors need dog friendly people; while the content below is about dog friendly floors, the aim is to introduce CARA and two special dogs. Our company, and the writer believe passionately about the work the employees and volunteers do at CARA as well as other No Kill Shelters. If you can help you local shelter, we urge you to do so. Every little bit helps, from blankets to kitty litter. Beware of visits, you might find one hard to leave, we sure did.
Community Animal Rescue and Adoption of Jackson Mississippi, or CARA is one of 4000 No Kill Shelters in the United States. A community shelter is considered no-kill when every brick-and-mortar shelter serving and/or located in that community has reached a ‘save rate’ of 90% or higher. Estimates put the total number of entities deemed animal rescue groups with or without brick and mortar over 14,000. Those numbers were eye opening when you put them into the context of the total number of animals involved. For more information search your local animal shelter or visit CARA of Jackson and adopt a new best friend.
Our reasons to support CARA
Tank- What is he is usually the first question when inquiring about Tank. Our answer or guess, Tank is a Plott Hound or at least part one. The AKC tells us that the breed is “noted for stamina, endurance, agility, determination and aggressiveness when hunting” which Tank does very little of today unless he losses a dog treat. Tank was adopted and then returned to CARA by the owners which is heart breaking. He was love at first sight, we brought him home in 2013 where he remained an only child until 2016 and the Moo arrived.
Thank you CARA
Ellie "Moo"
Ellie Moo – After being saved from the city animal shelter by a dedicated employee Ellie spent almost two years in CARA. When she arrived her hair patchy and her neck marked from the chain, there was not much hope of adoption. If you did not realize, Ellie is a pit bull and in some places illegal to own. Our assertion has always been that the problem lies with the breeders and owners not the dogs, Ellie Moo was just confirmation. Today her life is much different, she has custom dog bed a big yard, daily walks and her buddy Tank. In case you wonder Ellie Mae became Ellie Moo, now really just the Moo for her close friends.
The finish is 10x more important than the type of floor, all woods scratches and scuffs with kids and dogs. For the DIY, ease of repair is my first choice followed by ease of application which includes time.
Dog Friendly floors
In the days when everything was toxic, the term dog friendly meant sap and knots, character for lack of better word because this allows scratches to be easily hidden. Today dog friendly can be about the allergens or aluminum dust, but good or bad the that terminology is everywhere. So, to be clear we are talking about the best finishes hiding and or fixing damages and we have a 100% zero VOC option, too.
A dog will be a dog- so dog friendly includes being easy to fix
Any UV coated finish can protect against normal (not large) dog wear and tear. The problem occurs when fixing an issue is necessary. As far as we know, only Monocoat by Rubio allows to “topically repair only the affected area” and better yet there is no sanding or ripping out entire rooms because of an entryway. It is no secret that Monocoat is our favorite DIY finish product for a number of reasons, including a true zero VOC product that requires ‘one coat’.
Homemade Scratch Repair- Olive oil and vinegar
Mix equal parts water and Vinegar which creates a natural wood filler perfect for tiny scratches. Mix the solution together & apply to with a clean rag, done.
Lemon juice and oil. Mix together equal parts fresh lemon juice and oil—canola oil, vegetable oil, or olive oil would all work. Apply to the scratch with a microfiber cloth, being sure to wipe in the direction of the wood grain, done.
Walnuts or Brazil Nuts. The natural oils Simply rub the nut over the scratch and let the natural oils fill in the dent. Because of their texture, walnuts and Brazil nuts work the best. We have no 1st hand knowledge; however, trusted sources swear by this one.
Asking how long does acclimation take has no honest answer only experience and product knowledge. Acclimation, sometimes called conditioning, is the process of allowing wood to reach its equilibrium moisture content (EMC) within “normal living conditions.” It is also one of the most important steps of hardwood floor installation.
How long does acclimation take? My installer said 2 weeks!
How long does acclimation take? Acclimation is not about time but moisture content. For example, Southern Pine boards should acclimate to 10% and White Oak to 6%. The first thing we must understand about acclimating a wood floor. Basically, it will absorb (expand) moisture when exposed to high humidity and will expel (shrink) it in low humidity environments. So, acclimation is about getting the boards exposed to your home and stabilizing moisture content.
Acclimation matters
Acclimation matters
Why is acclimation important?
Acclimation is defined as when any organism makes ‘adjustments’ designed to improve performance or survival in response to environmental change. Same with your unfinished solid wood floors; acclimation improves performance, i.e. no warping or cupping.
How long does acclimation take & time is money
Time is money and acclimation is a process not time. Wood is only acclimated or conditioned once it reaches its equilibrium moisture content for the space in which it is expected to perform. Equilibrium moisture content is based on an “unchanging” environment. After a wood floor has been installed, changing conditions within the environment will change the equilibrium moisture content of the wood floor, ultimately resulting in dimensional change. In short, it can take some time and professional installers like stuff that takes less time and that they can tear up in 7 years, you know anything not real.
Research and compare engineered versus solid wood floors; throw in LVT and laminate floor covers for kicks. As a buyer, online marketing and most local stores will have you buying covers not floors. What do we mean? Real wood is floor you buy whereas engineered and the rest, a floor cover. Comparing engineered versus real wood floors and you are comparing an investment to a product designed to fail. Yes, some are better than others, but all floor covers have planned obsolesce in the blueprints. Want to read more- Investment Flooring. No matter how you keep score, engineered versus real wood is an unfair comparison. Hailed as a great innovation for homeowners, engineered floors are more popular than ever. Flooring companies love them because of the repeat business, huge margins and time savings compared to real wood.
Solid versus engineered
Solid versus engineered wood floors should be rhetorical, but not today. The market has convinced buyers that veneers glued to composites are a better way to go than real solid wood. Plastics that will end up in landfills handle moisture better than real wood, give me a break. Repeat business demands reusable products and engineered floors are perfect in the role. Real wood last forever, engineered, laminate and others all end up in landfills.
Marketing in disguise
Remember, the “media” or resource pages such as Angie’s List are paid for by marketing dollars paid by people wanting to sell you LVT or laminate. Therefore, the research articles you read are 100% generated by someone with a product behind the posts, a sponsor of sorts.
Stop listening to them
Yes, you can have real wood floors, even with concrete sub-floors because, yes you can glue real wood. The solution is adhesive that moves like a nail, (Bostiks Best) but I digress. The reasons “they” tell that real wood is not the right choice for your home or business, are revolve around the old adage that ‘time is money’. Real wood takes time, has no big commissions or sales contest and does not come in […]
It has to be real wood. Southern Pine, real wood, is the most Eco-friendly choice for your floor, period. The exceptions, of course, are endangered or illegal timber, but that is not relevant to our discussion. Our New Heart Pine is not farmed and take from private landowners. While our Yellow Pine is sourced from North Louisiana, farmed timber. That is great information but the reason the real wood is green? IT LAST FOREVER. In […]
Box store pine floors are not as good as ours and they are more expensive. Let me repeat, apples to apples they way more expensive. And even their cheaper stuff is stupid expensive for what it is, or certainly what it is not. In world where laminate and hardwood are regularly used to market some floor cover, you might want to use a healthy skepticism when floor shopping. Rule number 1- or at least the […]
2024 Dog Friendly Floors Update Dog friendly floors are all about the finish. Of course, you will here that real wood is not good for big dogs or even dogs in general. This is simply not true, at all. However, before we talk about the finish, we should address the question of Southern Pine and if it is a dog friendly floor. There is so much confusion regarding pine because there are so many variations [...]
How long does acclimation take? Asking how long does acclimation take has no honest answer only experience and product knowledge. Acclimation, sometimes called conditioning, is the process of allowing wood to reach its equilibrium moisture content (EMC) within “normal living conditions.” It is also one of the most important steps of hardwood floor installation. How long does acclimation take? My installer said 2 weeks! How long does acclimation take? Acclimation is not about time but [...]
Green, eco-friendly floors are about longevity Our company offers homeowners the power to choose an investment versus a product. The difference? An investment increases in value when a product is designed to wear out and then replaced. One outlives the house, the others on average, about 7 years. So I ask, which is the green floor? But wait don't you cut down trees to get real wood? Yes, once and it does not involved any [...]
Our company offers homeowners the power to choose an investment versus a product. The difference? An investment increases in value when a product is designed to wear out and then replaced. One outlives the house, the others on average, about 7 years. So I ask, which is the green floor? But wait don’t you cut down trees to get real wood? Yes, once and it does not involved any plastic or formyldehyde.
Marketing is not accurate information not anymore
Today, most of us will choose the product best for the environment provided the price is reasonably close to the other choices. In fact, some of us will choose the green product even with a much higher price. So why is the opposite true when green floor shopping? Simple, most of us are not given the information necessary to make that decision accurately. Want a good example, look no further than recycling.
LVT can be recycled just like carpet- FALSE!
Carpet cannot be recycled despite the propoganda, try it some time. Laminte is just chemical “goo” with zero value after ruining your home. And now LVT is the fastest growing component of our landfills. It absolutely cannot on any scale be made into anything useful! So, instead of the nice recycling thoughts you knew it was going to spend the next 100 years contaminating your groundwater, would that play a role in your decision?
Because most carpets are made from plastics sourced from the petrochemical industry, they can take centuries to breakdown. As these carpet fibers break downbreakdown in landfill, they release methane, one of the most potent greenhouse gasses, into our atmosphere. Meanwhile, toxic chemicals from the carpet can leach into the surrounding environment, especially in landfills that aren’t properly managed.
Plus: Have you ever taken up an old carpet? How about when pets were living on it? It is disgusting, no matter how clean you think you keep it.
Salvaged heart pine
Carpet is NOT King
For decades, carpet was king. Home remodeling took off with the advent of those little synthetic fibers. A small percentage of carpet wore out, but most was replaced when it became outdated, or the house changed hands. Today decomposing carpet holds an impressive and increasing percentage of total landfill tonnage. The E.P.A. estimates that every year, about 5 billion pounds of carpeting go into landfills. That’s 1 to 2 percent of the total U.S. landfill contribution, or 17 pounds of carpeting per person. (Don’t Sweep Carpet’s Eco-Impact Under the Rug – The New York Times (nytimes.com).
5 Things to help you buy an eco-friendly (Green) Floor
Engineered floors are not eco-friendly
Real wood is the only green choice
Engineered “hardwood” floors are created using a veneer measured in Millimeters. In case you are curious, 1 MM = .039 inches. So, a 2 MM wear layer is .117 inches thick. The veneer is glued to backing that may be ⅜ to ⅝ thick and created from a huge variety of materials, which is why you see dramatic differences in prices. It is like advertising just the word Car, with various prices and no other information. Makes a comparison almost impossible, which is precisely by design, trust us we know people in the business. (Humor attempt). – Green floors are real floors.
Quality engineered flooring has a minimum 4MM Wear Layer
Engineered Flooring cannot be refinished without a minimum of 4 MM ‘wear layer’ (veneer).The average lifespanlife span for a quality engineered floor is 7-10 years, then it heads to a landfill including the chemicals used in manufacture. So, where it is made and with what materials are information key to this decision, but so elusive. Terms such as hard scraped and brushed are used interchangeably and the only time you hear the species that comprises the backing is when it is good, not the other way around.
Want a green finish? Moncoat by Rubio
War-anties what are they good for?
We bought it because of the warranty. Please NEVER Buy for the warranty. For the record, all of our prefinished floors come with a warranty on the finish but that addresses manufacturing defects, not every day wear and tear and certainly not all the claims made concerning durability.
Tough standards
Read the warranty, the actual document and these “hard to meet” criteria jump out quickly. When claiming water damage for example, if exposed to standing water for more than 20 minutes your claim is in-valid. Question: How is the amount of time verified or proven? Of all your relatives that havehas multiple jobs a year, are anyany of them a certified independent flooring claims specialist?
The truth about real wood
Resistance to moisture real versus faux
LIE: Compared to solid hardwood, engineered wood floors have superior resistance to slightly lower and higher moisture levels, which makes them more ideal for use in damp basements or regions with higher or lower than standard humidity levels.
Truth: Buyers are told how a compressedhow compressed particle board with an unknown adhesive handles water better than real wood? The fact is that Southern Pine handles moisture better than any engineered floor. We build decks out of the stuff because it handles moisture on a microscopic level based on the relative porous nature of the wood.
In fact: Moisture is absorbed and released (expansion and contraction) without the breakdown of the board’s integrity. Ask your pro this question. What if you put poly on the bottomon bottom of real wood during the installation? Simple logic and a solution very few professionals even know and much less share.
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.
Southern Pine Durability is the reason we build everything with it!
Is pine would too be soft to be a floor? Are you asking if pine is durable? I guess so I just hear a lot about pine denting and scratching very easily. That really depends more so up on the finish than it does the wood unless you are talking about something extremely hard like Walnut. But the thing about mature pine, the character and color variations hide the imperfections. It’s part of its appeal, without a doubt, the ease of finish and ease of fixing kid tracks.
Is pine to soft?
The Janka Hardness of Caribbean Heart pine is 1280, Heart Pine 1250 and Southern Yellow Pine 690. Now those numbers, two of them anyway are very misleading. The 690 score of Southern Yellow Pine takes in all the species (11) within, what is, really a description and not a species. Time, climate, and time; that is what makes pine hard durable and gorgeous. Buyer beware. Ask the question; “does your 50% heart content ad mean 50% or better, 50% is max or does it mean, and this is happening today that 50% of the boards will have heart content.
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”.
Sustainable timber, i.e., timber that has been harvested and replenished which may occur naturally or farmed. ‘Sustainable Forestry’, however, involves more than just planting a tree when you cut one down. Sustainable timber management or forestry means doing no ecological damage to the surrounding environment.
Plant a tree
To those who want to help stop Global Warming- buy a real wood floor and plant a tree.
Healthy, sustainably harvested timber creates forest that become more resistant to wildfire, insects, disease, and the impacts of climate change. Like so many things, the message that the timber industry and sustainable forestry are contributing to climate change has gotten distorted. When you consider the replacement products we use instead of wood, i.e., petroleum-based vinyl, composites, and plastic the eco-friendly product is obviously real wood. What about concrete and steel? “As conservationists, we make building materials that store carbon and require far fewer fossil fuels to produce compared to steel and concrete.” (Forest2Market.com September 2022).
Sustainable timber means green
As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide CO2 from the atmosphere and release oxygen. We learned this in junior high. Not only do trees sequester or hold carbon, but they also put it to use. Great but what happens when you turn this tree into a floor? Wood flooring is about 50 percent carbon by dry weight. Wood products continue to store much of this carbon indefinitely. In the case of buildings, the carbon is kept out of the atmosphere for the lifetime of the structure—or longer if the wood is reclaimed and used to manufacture other products.
Plant more trees
In national parks and designated wilderness areas, the federal government is prohibited by law from sustainably harvesting and replanting trees. According to U.S. Forest Service-Forest Inventory and Analysis data, lands set aside from active forest management – such as parks and wilderness – serve as a carbon source because trees are dying at faster rates than they are growing.
Sustainable timber create floors that last forever
No matter what else you hear while shopping, solid 3/4 floors should outlive the house, i.e., be salvaged one day. On the other hand, all ‘floor covers’ with very few exceptions, everything else ends up in a landfill. Seriously, the bathroom counter-top you see here was produced by a novice salvaged decking.
No clear cutting
To be clear, we are not talking about clear cutting or harvesting non sustainable forest. Anti-forestry activists cling to the flawed assumption that old trees will sequester and store carbon. As if old trees are immortal and should be forever untouched. Not so fast! The science is that younger trees sequester carbon at higher rates than older trees, yes. Even worse, when older trees die, they emit carbon and methane.
Failing to clear dead trees causes wildfires
Conservationists are not to be confused with anti-forestry activists, even though the media often gives them that label. Anti-forestry activists reject Indigenous knowledge and experience that comes from thousands of years of managing forests, while raising millions of dollars to perpetuate the idea that the United States risk deforestation. Far from scarce, many western landscapes, “have overstocked stands with more trees than the forests can support”.
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.
