FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Fir vs. Oak Flooring

| Posted in General Discussion on August 20, 2002 03:09am

OK, I have an entrance hallway to floor beyond a quarry tile foyer.  I’m in
Menards and seeing unfinished Fir flooring that is ‘1×4’ with a resulting 3″
exposed face.  It has butt ends and no relief kerfs on the bottom, and is in
varying lengths from 4′ to 12′.   It says “mixed grain” and “C and BTR
flooring”, and seems generally clear.  It seems to be coming out to
$2.20-$2.52/square foot, depending on length.  I think I would like the
finished look of this, but cannot find any installation information,
especially how to treat the butt joints (bevel ’em? put over joists that are
I-beam type on 12″ centers?).  The wider width would be easier to adjust
than the ‘normal’ 2.25″.  What with ‘normal’ unfished red oak flooring going
for $2.50/square foot., I’m wondering if the aesthetic difference with the
Fir is worth it?  What is this stuff?  Thoughts/suggestions appreciated.

TIA, Tom

Delphi, IN

Reply

Replies

  1. FrankB89 | Aug 20, 2002 03:31am | #1

    I have Doug Fir plank floors in my house and I love them because they're in keeping with my semi-rustic Northwest log and timber frame house.  They're stained with light walnut which really brings out the grain.  The grade of my floors is similar to what you describe with VG, slash grain and flat grain mixed which makes for some interesting appearance.

    That being said, be aware that Douglas fir is pretty soft, tends to be splintery and is tricky to sand.  The fact that the wood you are looking at is not end-matched is of little consequence because the tongues and grooves of the planks on either side of the joint will hold it in place.

    I installed mine with my Porta-nailer with 2" nails on 12" to 16" centers but counterbored, screwed and plugged the butts about 3" from the ends. (If you do this, make a little jig so you can place the screws and plugs evenly).

    The floor was layed on 1 1/8" subfloor and #15 felt and I had no problems.  The floor has been in place for 5 years now and looks good with the rustic, slightly distressed look I was hoping for.

    However, if you have kids, dogs or steady company and don't want to invest in throw rugs or ask people to tremove their shoes, I would steer you toward a hardwood.

    Personally, I prefer a wider plank than the 2 1/4" oak, and some other species, like Maple can be pretty reasonable in price.

    Hope this helps.

     

    1. ttrueb46923 | Aug 20, 2002 03:38am | #2

      Notchman, thanks yes that does help, though I'm reluctant to consider this stuff 'plank' flooring.  I have 3/4" subflooring and was going to use 15#felt. 

      1. FrankB89 | Aug 20, 2002 03:58am | #3

        3/4" subfloor is fine if it's in solid shape.  I was told once by an old floor guy that "plank" floor was anything 31/2" or wider.  I dunno.  I also like long pieces which I found was easier to find with the fir (I had a random length order, some were 20' long).

        I should also have mentioned that the fir is a little more sensitive to humidity (probably because of the abundance of other than vertical grain) so it moves a little.  The hardwood floors I've installed seemed to stay tighter (and it's a good practice to make an effort to get a nice tight fit as you nail). 

        1. xMikeSmith | Aug 20, 2002 05:31am | #4

          fir flooring was the standard until it was displaced by oak around the '60's..Mike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

          1. FrankB89 | Aug 20, 2002 07:04am | #5

            True, but what I've seen in most of the older homes is VG; still available but about $4.50 plus per ft. unfinished.  Here in the PNW there was also a lot of Western Hemlock used which pretty hard when kiln dried and can be quite attractive. 

          2. owlhoot45 | Aug 20, 2002 10:25am | #6

            Has anyone had any experience with bamboo flooring?  Last I looked, it was priced like oak, and at the same price, I'd much prefer oak.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Fine Homebuilding – July 2023, Issue #316

Find online articles on timber-framed solar canopies; the right footings; the best toilets; choosing insulation; compact cordless routers; and much more.

Featured Video

SawStop's Portable Tablesaw is Bigger and Better Than Before

The 10-in. Jobsite Saw PRO has a wider table, a new dust-control port, and a more versatile fence, along with the same reliable safety mechanism included in all SawStop tablesaws.

Related Stories

  • Podcast 570: PRO TALK With Project Manager Jeremy Hess, Part 1
  • Podcast 569: Bath Fan Installs, Sunroom Trim, and Basement Control Layers
  • Podcast 569: Members-only Aftershow — Rob Yagid’s Addition
  • Fine Homebuilding – July 2023, Issue #316

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • 2022 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • 2023 Tool Guide
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 316 - July
    • Timber-Framed Solar Canopies
    • Build a Transom Above a Stock Door
    • Understanding Toilet Design and Efficiency
  • Issue 315 - June 2023
    • How to Craft a Copper Roof
    • 5 Lessons from Building in a Cold Climate
    • The Advantages of Cellular PVC Siding
  • Issue 314 - April/May 2023
    • 7 Options for Countertops
    • Tool Test: Wood-Boring Bits
    • Critical Details for Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 313 - Feb/March 2023
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
    • Fine Homebuilding Issue #313 Online Highlights
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
  • Issue 312 - Dec 2022/Jan 2023
    • Tool Test: Cordless Tablesaws
    • Gray-Water System for a Sustainable Home
    • Insulate a Cape Roof to Avoid Ice Dams

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in