I’ve gotten such great responses….that I’ll keep on going on and ask more questions about wood flooring. We did a little research (just a little) and found that maple, our first choice, is more expensive than we’d hoped. So I’m kicking around alternatives.
How does pine hold up as a wood floor? Is there a durability difference between Heart Pine, Southern Yellow? We have three young but growing children and the floor will be throughout the first floor. Obviously a hard hardwood would be the best choice for durability….but is there hope that a pine would hold up?
Replies
pine has been used for floorinf for centuries....
they are still there and being trod on dailey...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Thanks.
It might be moot anyway. I just checked with a lumber supplier and clear pine is the most expensive out of maple, ash, beech, and birch, at $7 sq. ft.
So maybe we move on to laminates. Ugh.
Yeah, well, $7/sqft is probably a good deal for clear pine.
But most pine floors aren't clear pine, and range around $2/sqft for material.
Still, might not be what you are looking for. Pine floors are relatively soft, but hardness will vary. For example, southern yellow pine is the traditional material for stair treads and is pretty durable.
To me, pine floors are meant to look "distressed", and that's how they'll generally look. If you're not comfortable with that look, think hardwood, like white oak.
If you are installing it yourself, I've had good luck with the local Lumber Liquidators. But you need the patience of Job to put up with the lousy sales service. They invented the term "understaffed". But the price is right!
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
"They invented the term "understaffed"."LMAO!
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Found a pic. Here's some $2-ish white oak from Lumber Liquidators.
View Image
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
Mike,
I assume there is finish on that floor but it sure doesn't look like it in the photo.
Was it just a clear satin?
Edited 1/15/2008 2:51 pm ET by wivell
No finish in that one -- that was a new install and not even sanded yet. As you can see in the photo, the walls, hearth and fireplace weren't finished yet, so I held off on finishing the floor.
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
where are you located?
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Lancaster, PA. I called Groff&Groff to get some prices earlier today.
I am real pleased with the bamboo I installed. I am going to use cork over cement slab in other areas.
Disclaimer...I am not a Greenie....but this stuff is pretty neat and cost effective. The bamboo was less than $4.50 sq. ft. my labor..solid material,glue down.
Unless yer goin' salvaged old growth pine, you may be dissapointed in its durability.
And the price is steep.
Have you looked into Brazillian Cherry?
I'm not much on natural finishes for floors, but I fell in love with this stuff and put it in my own bedroom with nothing but a clear, low luster poly finish. Gorgeous and the price couldn't be beat.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
The white and SYP will acquire that 'lived in' look a lot quicker than maple or oak. Better grades of heart pine will do almost as well as oak in handling wear.
I can get SYP in long lengths for about $2.49 or so. good clear whilte wide or antique heart is closer to ten bucks a foot
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Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
As another poster posted, pine has been used for floor forever. Yellow Pine is harder than many other pines. I think there is a tread toward pine and all the dings, dents and uneven ware just makes it more rustic which many people are desiring today. Something to think about depending on your overall style of home.