Where do Reclaimed Floors come from?

Sometimes from old Chestnut log cabins or barns.




They are given new life and turned into gorgeous Reclaimed Wormy Chestnut wood flooring.


Images provided by Timeless Wood Floors, one of our manufacturers.

Featured Product: White Oak

Do you see the Forest for the Trees?

An ever-increasingly popular topic: earth-friendly, eco-friendly, "green", sustainable, environmentally-conscious product, service, or decision. So here is some more evidence that wood flooring is all of that.

Years ago, environmentally-conscious homeowners and remodelers had few options when it came to being earth-friendly but still getting the look, feel, and durability of their chosen flooring material. However, the once-hard-to-find sustainable flooring now comes in all the popular species: white oak, red oak, maple, birch, cherry, hickory, even some exotic species. And you'll be pleasantly surprised at the cost. Four-inch wide, medium-grade American cherry that has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)— an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests — has the same square foot cost as standard American cherry.

To get FSC Certification, forest operations must follow 10 principles and meet 56 criteria, including social, economic, ecological, cultural and spiritual needs of present and future generations based on managerial aspects as well as environmental and social requirements. In fact, FSC rules are the strictest and FSC’s social and environmental requirements the highest. Protection of local wildlife, minimal use of chemical pesticides, even the guarantee that loggers can unionize are examples of the all-inclusive requirements set forth. Look for FSC logo and a "chain of custody" number, which allows them to be traced back to their source, to know if the wood flooring you are interested in has been FSC-Certified.

By 2005, there were 556 U.S. companies turning out FSC-certified lumber, up from 20 when the program was founded. While the flooring they produce still makes up a small share of the U.S. market, it's growing fast. More important, they're having a profound effect on the nation's forests. By 2005, FSC-certified forests covered 15.5 million acres, up from 1.4 million in 1995 in the US and 135 million acres of FSC-approved forests covering the international globe.

It may be difficult to find "green" flooring from a single retailer, since only about 10 percent of the typical retailer's stock is likely to be classified that way so you may have to do some hunting to start. For a list of certified companies in your area, visit The Forest Stewardship Council website.

The availability of products is increasing along with consumer awareness," says Tom Dietsche, program manager for the U.S. Green Building Council, which has made FSC certification a benchmark in the new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines for homebuilders. "We've made a lot of progress."

In combination with the FSC guidelines, these Green Floors Principles will help you to understand how and why wood flooring is earth-friendly.

Ten attributes that make a flooring GREEN
	Rating Table	Applies To	Explanation
1.	Social Responsibility	Manufacturer	Socially responsible and enlightened company to workers and customers and embraces environmental practices.
2.	Manufacturer Processes	Manufacturer	Methods are environmentally responsible and are not detrimental to the environment.
3.	Distribution Methods	Distribution	Uses environmentally friendly and innovative methods of distribution, i.e., packaging and transportation. LEED credits given for purchasing local materials.
4.	Renewable	Product	Made with renewable materials. Definition - raw materials can be replaced within _____ years.
5.	Recycled Content	Product	Made with recycled materials. Percentage of post-industrial vs. post-consumer materials.
6.	Recyclability	Product	Content of product is mostly recyclable and can be disposed of safely or reused in manufacture of same product or downsized for another product
7.	Toxicity	Product	Does not contain toxic materials. Meets accepted air quality standards.
8.	Life Cycle	Product	Designed for extended life cycle to reduce costs per year and impact on the environment.
9.	Installation	Product	Can be installed in an environmentally friendly manner, i.e. using low VOC adhesives.
10.	Maintenance	Product	Can be maintained in an environmentally friendly manner, i.e., low toxic cleaning chemicals and low water consumption.

Environmental concerns are starting to have a very real effect on the wood products marketplace, and it's about time homeowners are able to participate. Visit GateWood Floors for the environmentally-friendly wood flooring of your dreams!

The Difference Between Common Hardwood Species

Oak is the most popular species for both Prefinished and Unfinished hardwood flooring. White oak has a straight grain with medium to coarse texture and longer rays than red oak, which creates more patterns or figure. White oak can easily be stained to a wide variety of colors.










Red oak has generally the same appearance as white oak. In red oak, a lot of visible grain gives it a distinctively warm and rich appearance. Red oak also stains very well, and is more popular than white oak.










Maple has a contemporary look. Its fine grain is very condensed, giving maple less texture than oak. Generally, maple has a uniform straight grain. Because the species is very hard, it resists abrasion and wear. That's why it's perfect for bowling alleys and basketball courts.








American cherry has a rich reddish color with fine graining and a satin smooth texture. American cherry is pinkish when first milled and naturally darkens to a deep red color when fully aged. This color change takes just a few weeks in direct sunlight, or 6 to 8 months in non-direct sunlight. American cherry is about 75 percent as hard as oak.




Brazilian cherry, also known as jatoba, has a naturally rich color and superior hardness. This exotic species is also photosensitive; like its American counterpart, it will darken from salmon to deep reddish brown over several months. Dark streaks give it an exotic feel, while an interlocking grain, golden glow, and toughness make Brazilian cherry a popular flooring choice. It's approximately 228 percent harder than red oak.




Pine creates a rustic mood. Its warm look is owed to prominent character marks - knots, marks, and stains. Because pine is much softer than other woods, it's less-than-ideal for high traffic areas.







Santos mahogany, also called cabreuva, is another popular Brazilian hardwood. It has a unique grain variation and color, ranging from a beautiful deep red to reddish brown. Popular because of its unique look and extreme durability, Santos mahogany is 175 percent harder than red oak.

What WOOD you do?

What is your favorite? Would you put it in your home? Why?