Antique Flooring

In the contemporary world, any antique material is considered expensive and held with such high regard. So the very prospect of getting an antique flooring system may be a little too overwhelming to contemplate, not just because of the high resale value but the very fact that you will be threading on decades-old floors. Among the very best choices of antique wood floor systems are pines, chestnuts, beech, oak, ash and even maple. Just the thought of indulging in the unrivaled luxury of installing antique flooring would certainly be enough to inspiration for yet another bout of decoration frenzy. Antique flooring definitely provides you a very impressive canvass where you can test your mettle in interior decorating.

So where would these precious antique wood flooring come from? There are actually two main sources of antique woods that are then manufactured as floors: beams from old and demolished buildings and the recovered wood that were submerged in the water for years. Like wine, these wooden materials have gracefully aged with time and are known to exude unparalleled warmth and character than one can only derive from antique wood. However, more often than not, these antique woods have blemished surfaces such as cracks, nail holes and insect tracks, which would naturally require diligent and expert cleaning and sanding. This will probably mean an extra charge from the suppliers but the results are well worth the extra expense since it basically retains the color and richness minus the unsightly flaws. However, with the rather limited supply of antique wood materials and the difficulty of procurement, it predictably comes with an expensive price tag. But since it is considered among the premium materials for flooring, it’s definitely worth every single penny spent.

Among the very popular choices of antique flooring are the vintage select heart pines and the vertical grain pines that have been exposed to the harsh elements for almost a century that created the unmatchable richness and deep patina that even premium quality hardwood cannot hope to compete. The fact that it has actually withstood centuries to environmental rigors, there’s definitely no question about its quality and durability. A lot of people actually prefer to retain the natural flaws of the wood such as the natural color variation and the random knots, since it is known to give a rather distinct character all of its own.

If you want the cheaper alternative, there are new techniques used to create an antique look on new wood. Hand distressing is yet another popular way of giving the wood greater character that one would expect from antique wood. This is usually done through scraping, using chisels and even wire brushes and ice picks. This instantly gives the classic elegant style at just a mere fraction of the price of real antique hardwood flooring. However, it doesn’t have the impressive resale value as you would expect from authentic antique flooring treatments. So when choosing the antique imitation make sure you use the best manufacturer since the key is to achieve the antique the closest possible way.

Antique flooring is actually installed similarly with other hardwood flooring systems. However, if you are using the distressed grade, keep in mind that it actually expands and contracts along with the changing season – expanding during the summer and shrinking in the winter. So make sure to discuss this factor to your builder so they can provide minor allowances on the floors spacing and layout.

So if you are planning to install a new flooring system, why settle for materials that can only last for some years when you can have one that will last for another century or so. This is definitely one of the greatest home investments you will ever make.