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Where does Antique
Wood come from?
Our antique wood comes from early American buildings located
throughout the United States. These structures may be old
barns, warehouses, silos or warehouses. Back to top
What
species of wood are available?
Chestnut, Oak, Douglas Fir, White Pine, Heart Pine. Others
types of wood may be available from time to time. Back to top
What
can be made from Antique Wood?
To give your home a unique look you can use antique wood in
flooring, paneling, doors, beams, siding, stairs and railings.
Back to top
Why
is Antique/Reclaimed Wood more expensive than new wood?
Despite the fact that this is wood that has already been cut
down and milled, there are still many steps involved in getting
reclaimed wood from an old building, re-milled and then installed
as flooring, paneling, staircases or trim. To start with,
the wood is salvaged from an old the building. The recovered
material is then sent to the mill where the lumber is kiln-dried,
de-nailed, and then milled into a new product. Some reclaimed
wood varieties, such as American chestnut, may be a type of
wood that is hard or impossible to find as new wood. Back to top
Do
you sell to homeowners or just to building contractors?
Nordecor's customers include home owners, building contractors,
interior designers and architects, furniture and cabinet makers.
Typical projects include new construction, renovations and
restorations for commercial and residential applications. Back to top
What
is a board foot?
At most building centers wood is sold by the piece. What is
sold as a 1x6 piece of wood is actually a 3/4" x 5 1/2"
board. Included in the price of this piece of wood is all
of the material that was milled away and the labor involved
to make all of the boards a specific size.
However, lumber yards, wholesalers and hardwood
dealers sell their stock by the board foot. A board foot is
a measure of volume that is equal to a square foot by one
inch thick. It is really pretty basic, a 1” by 12”
by one foot long and a 2” by 6” of the same length
both equal one board foot. Click
here for more information on calculating board feet.
Back to top
What
is the difference between a linear foot, board foot and square
foot?
Millwork companies that manufacture milled hardwood flooring
use all 3 types of feet to measure wood. A linear foot is
a one dimensional measurement and is only how long a piece
of wood measures.
A square foot is a two dimensional measurement
and will tell you how much surface a milled wood product will
cover.
A board foot is a three dimensional measurement
and measures the volume of wood. So a piece of rough wood
that measures 12" wide x 12" long x 1" thick
is 1 board foot.
Click here for
information on nominal sizes of wood. Back
to top
What is the
Janka scale?
The Janka Hardness Scale is the industry standard and rates
the relative hardness of wood. The higher the number the harder
the wood. These ratings were determined using the Janka Hardness
Test, which measures the force required to drive a .444 inch
steel ball into the wood until half the diameter of the ball
is imbedded in the wood. This is one of the best measures
of the ability of wood species to withstand denting and wear.
It is also a good indicator of how hard a species is to saw
or nail. The rating is a good indicator of how easily a wood
product will dent and wear over time.
A higher ranking doesn't necessarily make a particular species
of wood a good flooring. This is only one factor to take into
consideration when deciding on what type of wood will best
suit a particular purpose. In addition to a wood's hardness,
other qualities to consider when choosing a wood floor include
the aesthetic and physical properties. When deciding on a
wood species, choose a wood with a texture, grain, and color
that fit your style, and take into account the wood's durability
and stability. Click
here for Janka Scale ratings for common types of wood.
Another characteristic to take into
consideration is the stability of the wood. The structural
stability of wood refers to the tendency of the wood to bow,
bend or cusp. All woods are affected by moisture, which causes
it to expand or contract. A hardwood that is stable will not
change shape and size much with changes in humidity and temperature.
The hardest woods (see the Janka Scale) may not be the most
stable. For example, Hickory is extremely hard but also very unstable.
Click here for a wood stability chart. Back
to top
Can I
install a hardwood floor over in floor heat?
With the right experience and understanding, hardwood floors
can be installed successfully over in floor heat. Experienced
installers can put in your hardwood floor over an infloor
heating system. There are some helpful tips on flooring choices
that can assist in making the installation a success.
These tips include using the more stable of the wood species,
narrower widths, reclaimed wood, distressed floors and beveled
edged flooring. Proper installation of a subfloor will also
depend on the in-floor heating system that is installed in
your home. Call us for more information. Back
to top
What are
the benefits to installing hardwood floors?
Whether you are building a new home or thinking of replacing
flooring in your current home or cabin, hardwood floors are
a natural choice. They add beauty and elegance to a home's
interior. It takes just a few years for carpet to look old
and thin. Hardwood floors can last for over a hundred years.
And it takes just a little bit of upkeep to make sure that
wood floors look their best.
Solid wood is also a natural insulator. It has thousands
of tiny air chambers in each inch, making it much warmer than
laminate flooring.
Wood is easy to clean and is hypoallergenic. Carpets can
be a breeding ground for mold, mildew and dust mites, which
can be tough for anyone with allergies. Wood does not provide
hiding places for animal dander, dust, mold, and mildew, making
it a better option to use if anyone in the house has allergies.
Back to top
Are
hardwood floors difficult to maintain?
New technology and high quality finishes make it easier than
ever to maintain the appearance of your hardwood floors. Regular
maintenance requires little more than sweeping and/or vacuuming,
and the occasional use of a professional wood floor cleaning
product.
To keep your hardwood floors looking their best, put area
rugs or mats at entrances to reduce the dust and dirt that
is tracked on to the floor. Place protector pads under furniture
legs. Wipe up any spills as soon as possible.
It is important to use a cleaning product that is specifically
formulated for wood floors. Do not apply any wax to a wood
floor. Back
to top
How much
flooring do you need?
Don't understand how to measure the area you want to cover
with reclaimed wood? Click
here for a step-by-step measuring guide. Back
to top
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Wood
has a timeless beauty that is enhanced by age. As wood dries
and ages the natural oxidation process occurring on the surface
creates a sheen that gives wood unique characteristics. Woods
used on the interior of buildings which were not exposed to
the elements will most likely have retained their original
colors, although they are likely a bit darker and may be somewhat
more subtle. Antique or reclaimed wood can give your home
a rich look that can't be achieved by using conventional wood.