Wood Flooring – Reclaimed or Old Growth?
- Author Jenny Austin
- Published April 30, 2009
- Word count 510
For those who know a little about wood flooring the term ‘old growth’ continues to cause controversy. The aim of supplying this information is to educate potential wood flooring customers so that they can make informed purchases.
The term old growth relates to well established forests where the trees have little interference until the time they are cut. There are two main opinions regarding the cutting of old growth trees, some believe that pruning selected trees is good for the forest while others disagree and think that the old growth forest is capable of maintaining itself through its natural processes.
The actual age that determines whether a tree is old growth varies according to the species but coincides with when the tree reaches maturity. For many of the hardwood species this age is 80 years, for a eastern white pine you would be looking at around 130 – 150 years.
Virgin growth is a term that refers to old growth that has never been cut, many of these virgin growth forests are currently protected but there are still large amounts of virgin forest being harvested for mass wood flooring production. Old growth flooring is beautiful but using reclaimed wood for your floor is much more environmentally responsible.
The terms used to describe wood can often be misleading reclaimed wood is often referred to as antique wood and before parting with any cash make sure you fully understand what you are buying. Some companies specialise in obtaining timber when a building is deconstructed and utilize beams, posts and floor joists. This process is unfortunately more expensive than a typical demolition where a wrecking ball or implosions are the methods implemented. This is obviously reflected in the price of reclaimed wood flooring as deconstruction which involves the painstaking dismantling of buildings components.
Using typical demolition techniques results in vast quantities of waste materials that cannot be reused and disposal of the waste bumps up costs, using this method is however much quicker and as in any industry time is money.
Once you have recovered from the initial shock of the cost involved there are some great positives to be enjoyed when purchasing reclaimed wood flooring. Once the reclaimed timber has undergone floor sanding a truly magnificent finish can be achieved. It is satisfying to know that your wooden floor was originally cut to build structures which have shaped our history. There are many sources from which to reclaim timber buildings, churches and barns amongst others.
A beautiful wooden floor constructed from reclaimed timber creates a fantastic feature to your home and will definitely give a new talking point to friends and family. In modern times we are becoming more and more aware of the limits of our resources and our responsibility to further generation to preserve our planet wherever possible.
Purchasing an expensive wood floor should not be decided lightly, there are many cheaper alternatives. If you do decide to purchase a quality reclaimed wood floor you will not be disappointed, the floor will last for many, many years and often become more beautiful with time.
Jenny Austin is an expert in Pub Furniture, for further information on how to choose your Floor Sanding , or which Ready made Curtains service to choose please visit lovethosecurtains.co.uk.
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- Smart Savings: The Benefits of Buying Out of Season
- How to prepare for a house clearance, a few tips from experts
- Expert and Little Known Tips for Limestone Floor Maintenance
- Top Furniture: Discover the Best of Deutsch Design
- Spring Clean Like a Pro
- Spring into Clean: Transform Your Home with Diamond Home Support Barking
- Spring Cleaning Magic: Unveiling a Fresher Home
- Top Cleaning Tips for the Spring
- The Lemon: Nature's Remarkable Cleaning Marvel
- Why Tree Removal is Essential for Home Safety
- The Dos and Don'ts of DIY Pressure Washing: Expert Tips and Tricks
- Are Silver Travertine Tiles Better Than Other Alternatives? Know How!
- Rustic woodgrain farmhouse cottage with vintage carved barn doors
- Ultimate Guide to Versatile and Secure Storage Cabinets with Locks: A Functional and Practical Solution for Every Space
- The Ultimate Guide to Investing in a Home Lift
- holistic garden sanctuary, buddha statues
- Vintage rustic wood credenzas
- Nature carved Barn Doors
- 7 things you must know before building, extending or renovating your home.
- The Impact of Electrical Upgrades on Home Resale Value in Australia
- Rodent-Proofing Your Home: Tips and Tricks
- How Much Does House Removal Cost in Australia? Understanding Your Moving Budget
- Advantages of Using Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles at Home and Commercial Places
- Culinary Chronicles: A Journey Through Kitchen Renovations
- The Advantages of Using a Professional Cleaner in Liverpool
- Crafting Culinary Sanctuaries: The Poetic Essence of Kitchen Remodeling
- The Importance of Using Professional Tilers for Regrouting Bathroom Tiles
- Making Eco-Conscious Decisions in Home Renovations
- Advantages of Engaging Expert Home Cleaners in Bournemouth
- How To Declutter Your Home - In 5 Simple Steps