New Flooring

[MdB]

In the process of rebuilding half our house, are builders have discovered that about a third of our upstairs floorboards need replacing. It is a pity as they look like the originals but I don't think they can be saved as they just look too rotten and have no strength. The rest of the floorboards are 1970s pine rough hewn planks (not T&G). These we obviously put down as being the cheapest option available as they are different thicknesses and a lot have bowed badly. Planing flat isn't an option as it would mean removing a lot of material and you would still end up with lots of gaps between the boards.

The obvious solution is to replace the floor completely which wouldn't be too difficult with the house in its current condition (half demolished). The question is what to replace the floor with. So far, standard softwood (redwood??) T+G seems to come in at around £12 to £14 per m^2 and wouldn't look too much out of place though it would need to be carpeted over I guess. A number of places offer solid oak flooring from £20 per m^2 upwards. This would look very nice but I think it would look too modern for the property.

The local sawmill might be able to do douglas fir T&G at a sensible price (maybe) but they are shut this week so I can't ask them.

Is there anything else I should be considering? I guess we can afford £20 to £25 per m^2 but probably don't want to go much higher than that.

 

[Ian Bond]

You could ask John Plowright at Eden Garden Antiques to saw you up some reclaimed timber planks.

http://www.demolitions.co.uk/

Pine from £22 per sq. yard ex VAT and delivery.

He delivers all over the country, and further afield. Perhaps you can find a local firm to do similar though.

My original floor planks are 1.25ins thick, random widths from 6 to 8 ins and some have bowed and there are gaps - all part of the character.

Unless you are paying for quarter-sawn planks, you will have to accept a certain amount of movement and cupping in the timber over time.

 

[Feltwell]

I've just bought some pine T&G flooring from this firm:-

http://www.coalportpine.co.uk/

I've actually bought it to make cupboard doors with, and to replace a top on a cupboard. It is a very nice timber - heavier and denser than the regular redwood/whitewood flooring you get in the builders merchants.

Ignore the "grade 1" flooring on the site, they don't sell it any more as apparently there was very little demand (it was almost knot free and people wanted some knots!) Contact them and they'll send you a sample.

They're on Ebay as well:-

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/coalportpine

A friendly lot, they are just down the road from where I live so I had a look at the product before buying & collected it to save costs. Owner lives in a lovely old railway station which needs lots of work but which looks like it hasn't been messed around with too much, I was very jealous indeed........

 

[MdB]

Interesting.... Thanks for the links people. One problem we will have is being in Cornwall. I can't imagine the transport costs will be cheap.

 

[Ian Bond]

You're on the route from Portugal aren't you(see feltwell's link for coalportpine)




Incidentally Feltwell, that's a great website - enjoyed reading the history section. You learn something new every day here!!!!

A picture of a u-boat is probably the last thing you'd expect to see on a website about pine flooring - I like that.

 

[middi]

You could get new oak floorboaeds for about 25 pounds + vat per sq.meter if you wish. Since it is an upstairs floor I would suggest you fit new T/G pine boards, as existing , cover them with a good uderlay and carpet, therefore avoiding that horrible thundering noise when someone walks about upstairs .

 

[MdB]

The problem with some of the new oak T&G is that it looks too modern.

I'm not sure it is quite the right thing for our home.

I guess something like this is more like what we are after:

but may be with less of a gloss finish. However I guess proper planks come with a proper price tag.

 

[Ian Bond]

Yes, you want to avoid the laminate look.

I try to avoid reclaimed material where possible, but I'm happy with the pine planks I had cut. Just the right look for my house.

Good luck, I'm sure you will find something suitable. It's worth searching for the right material, given the amount of effort expended installing and finishing the floor you want it to look right.

 

[MdB]

http://www.coalportpine.co.uk/

A friendly lot, they are just down the road from where I live so I had a look at the product before buying & collected it to save costs. Owner lives in a lovely old railway station which needs lots of work but which looks like it hasn't been messed around with too much, I was very jealous indeed........