IDS07: Historic Woods
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.25.07
The Interior Design Show is full of eye candy but sometimes the simpler booths have the most impact. At TreeHugger we debate whether imported bamboo is better than local hardwood, but what about reclaimed wood? It has always made me a bit nervous, because the lovely old barns dotting the landscape become more valuable as fodder for the mills than they are as structures. (previous treehugger post on one supplier here) Historic woods finds its woods from old buildings and even old piers. However they cut it to only a quarter inch thick and laminate it to formaldehyde free, sustainably harvested baltic birch, so the reclaimed wood stretches three times as far. Being a engineered floor, it can go over concrete. So while American wormy chestnuts are extinct, and there are only so many piers being dug up on the Toronto waterfront, more people get to enjoy it in a stable, long-lasting form. ::Historic Woods found at ::IDS
there's something different about the exposed grain on this particular sample from the solid one beside it. does that affect its relative durability (for better or worse)?
The American Chestnut isn't extinct.
http://www.acf.org/
The grain going against each other actually make the structure stronger (think plywood, it's the same principle). If you try to break wood across the grain it's extremely strong, if you try to break it with the grain it's much easier. When backed by a floor I cannot imagine that it's necessary to stagger the direction the grain runs in like this. It certainly could not hurt though.
Nice. Are they using formaldehyde free glue?
As explained to me by a family friend living in an old southern manner originally built in the 1700s. My memory may be faulty on a few minor points. I know this is chestnut from piers, but it should be relevant
Heartpine is from a virgin old growth tree. This is what you see in the second sample. The rings should be very close together, and may blend together when viewed from above. It responds to wear very well due to the tight grain. It was the premium wood, even back then, and was used in flooring.
The other wood, with loose grain, cut differently, wouldn't be old growth. It is more common, and cheaper. It doesn't wear as well as the soft part of the grain is larger. It might be used it an addition to the house if the family needed more room, but was tight on money. This manner had some that were suspected of being from just before the war.
Hope that helps any.