ISO: Original Wood Beams/Anyone done endgrain floor?
This is a follow up to my earlier post looking for flooring… as an alternative… I may have to get a bit creative with the last 400 sqft of flooring in our place as we have run over our budget (big time). We have a number of old beams that I was thinking of milling…
This is a follow up to my earlier post looking for flooring… as an alternative…
I may have to get a bit creative with the last 400 sqft of flooring in our place as we have run over our budget (big time). We have a number of old beams that I was thinking of milling down to create endgrain “tile” blocks (see picture). I don’t have enough, but close. Is there anyone out there who would be willing to part with some of their old wood beams/joists? If you are like me they are sitting in your basement waiting for a project! 🙂 Catch is that they will have had to be inside so they are dry. Any tips on where to find some welcome too! (BIGNYC is out). I don’t know if it matters but I’m in Clinton Hill and will of course come to you.
Also, has anyone done this? Any advice welcome-particularly the non-snarky kind.
Thanks all! (info145halsey at yahoo dot come)
If you have the time – go for it. A friend of mine did his own floor with a nice result. A moisture cured urethane flooring adhesive works well but might cost more. If you have any questions I will try to help. I was not involved with the work but was kept up to date for the blow by blow on the phone. If the moisture level is off a little the tiles will acclimate relatively quickly once they are cut.
Thanks Steve, I’ll see if I can find it! Do you mind giving me the cross streets?
info145halsey at yahoo dot com
Also, I responded earlier to Grand Army (a thank you email) and it hasn’t posted…if not soon I’ll try again. It seems that a lot of my
responses aren’t getting put up, are others having that issue?
On Clinton Street there is a 40 yard container filled with demo material from a brownstone. There are beams in the container. They may be a little wet now, but the stuff underneath should be dry; it was all pulled out a few days ago. I don’t think it would have pulled too much moisure in a few days.
Steve
That looks stunning. You might try craigslist if you haven’t already and just do a search for reclaimed wood.
Thanks Grand Army – Kaswell has beautiful pieces, and good advice too. And no, I’m not at all sure it will be inexpensive 🙂 – but I’m lucky in that we have a shop on site that I think could cut the wood, have our own sander/edger/finish materials, and a contractor hubby who has done 20+ floor restorations now and is excited at the prospect of trying something new (phew!). Any yes, a new stable and leveled plywood subfloor is in place. Which we may just end up painting until we get this figured out…the biggest issue seems to be curing and getting everything to the correct temp/humidity.
The numbers I’ve run (due to us already having what we do) makes it look like we could get a floor we like (and color matches restored fir floors around it for the same price as a floor we don’t (new cheap end solid-wood).
But honestly, it is daunting and I’d love to hear from someone who has done it! thanks!
Sounds like a fascinating project but — asking non-snarkily since you mention being way over budget — are you sure it will be inexpensive? Seems like although you’ll save on materials, the preparation and installation could require a huge labor investment. And what about equipment? It can’t be easy to cut those babies! Presumably they have to be laid on plywood unless you already have a very stable, level surface. Btw, there’s a company called Kaswell that does wood block flooring — lots of pics and info online.
I have plenty and just removed from walls. Dry and old. I plan to keep some for myself but there is plenty.
It is – smart of you to know that! But it isn’t an issue if it is cured and sealed properly. Here is a helpful link that outlines some of the issues etc.
http://www.elmwoodreclaimedtimber.com/wood.aspx?pgID=1206
I used to work in a restaurant that had it as the flooring and it is incredibly durable. They used to use it in roads when the couldn’t get cobblestones because it stands up to major wear and tear (stronger).
Hopefully someone has some extra beams and I can try it out!
🙂
wow, interesting idea. I wonder if expanding/contracting and absorption is a bigger issue with end grain exposed. looks neat.