Whole Log Lumber

With so many choices it can be confusing. You know what you like but there are several factors to consider when comparing prices. Not all floors are created equal!

1. Make sure you're clear about what type of wood flooring you are looking for – either “Strip” or “Plank.”
   
   
   
   
   STRIP FLOORING is denoted by the thickness & width of the wood strips. Strip flooring has a set width, but the thickness can vary. Strip flooring ranges in thickness from 5/16 of an inch to ¾ of an inch thick. The standard width of strip flooring is 2-1/4", and it generally comes from lower grades of lumber from newly cut trees.
   WHOLE LOG LUMBER does not provide strip flooring unless it is for specific restorations of a narrow width.
   
   PLANK FLOORING may range in thickness, but unlike strip flooring, the widths can vary. The widths can range from 3 inches on up. Remember that plank flooring may require some extra work during installation and its cost can be higher than strip flooring.
   WHOLE LOG LUMBER provides plank flooring up to 11 inches wide.
2. Evaluate whether you want Solid Wood Flooring or Engineered wood flooring:
   
   
   
   
   There are several things to keep in mind when choosing between these types of wood flooring: for Solid hardwoods may require a little more upkeep than engineered wood flooring, but they can always be re-sanded and refinished. If maintained, solid wood floors will retain their value better than engineered woods. Their prices will reflect that increased value also.
   
   Solid wood floors can be installed over a concrete slab as long as the floor is on or above ground level. They can be sanded and refinished over several generations of use. Solid wood flooring expands and contracts with changes in your home's relative humidity. Normally, installers compensate for this movement by leaving an expansion gap between the floor and the wall. Base molding is the traditional "cover-up" for this gap. Solid wood flooring usually requires some acclimation prior to installation. The installation itself, including sanding and finishing, is a cost factor to take into consideration.
   
   Engineered wood flooring is defined as flooring in which the wear (the upper or visible) layer is made from the valuable hardwood while the core and the back are made from layers of less valuable woods. These various layers are then laminated (glued) together, and finally machined into flooring. Engineered wood flooring is less likely to be affected by changes in humidity and can be installed above, on, or below ground level. Some engineered wood floors with thicker top layers can be sanded several times.
   
   WHOLE LOG LUMBER provides high quality heartpine engineered flooring, rather than the lesser quality wood usually used in engineered floor products.
3. Determine the type of wood species (hardwoods, softwoods, exotic woods) that best matches your taste & requirements.
   
   
   
   
   The terms 'hardwood' and 'softwood' have different meanings in the world of lumber dealers. Each term is based upon the type of tree that is the source of the wood. Botanically speaking, softwoods come from gymnosperms. This group includes pines, spruces, junipers, etc. The source of hardwoods is the angiosperm group; trees with broad leaves, seeds enclosed in fruit, and that are usually deciduous. In general, softwoods come from 'conifer like' trees and 'hardwoods' come from 'leaved' trees.
   
   Solid wood floors are generally referred to as hardwood floors, and the National Wood Flooring Association uses the widely available Northern Red Oak as the benchmark by which the properties of other wood species are rated. This basis is determined by hardness, stability and durability.
   
   Though Antique Heart Pine is botanically termed a “softwood”, it is uniquely comparable to Northern Red Oak in hardness and durability and superior to it in stability, and not to be confused with Southern Yellow Pine, with somewhat different properties.
4. Determine the preferred "grade" in your species preference. Your budget may determine your choice here.
   
   
   
   
   The appearance of the wood determines its “grade.” All grades are equally strong & serviceable, but each has a different look. When evaluating heart pine flooring, the grading is complicated by the percentage of “heartwood” and “sapwood.” The higher the “heartwood” content, especially above 75%, the more valuable the grade.
   
   Since there is no established grading system for heart pine or other antique and reclaimed wood at this time, the grade descriptions from various suppliers can vary widely.
   
   Our grading system is explained here and in more detail on our Flooring Notes page.
   
   Clear
   Clear wood is free of defect, though it may have minor imperfections. It is devoid of knots.
   Prime
   Prime wood is almost clear, but contains some natural characteristics such as knots and grain & color variations.
   Select
   Select has more knots and color variations that either clear or prime grades, and is often chosen because of these natural features and the character they bring to a room.
   Cabin
   Cabin grade wood is more rustic in appearance and emphasizes all the characteristics of the wood species, along with character marks.
5. Determine your desired preference in the look of the floor boards based on the way they are are Sawn.
   
   
   
   
   The angle at which a board is cut determines how the finished product looks.
   Wood flooring is either plainsawn, quartersawn or riftsawn.
   
   Plainsawn
   Plainsawn or flat sawn, is the most common cut. The board contains more variation than the other two cuts because grain patterns resulting from the growth rings are more obvious and can be described as cathedral-like.
   Quartersawn
   Also known as vertical grain, produces less board feet per log than plainsawing and is therefore more expensive. Quartersawn hardwood floors wear more evenly with less twists & cupping in the wood.
   Riftsawn
   Riftsawn is similar to quartersawing, but the cut is made at a slightly different angle. Usually associated with oak, rift cut hardwood flooring is a cross between quartersawn and plainsawn.