Reclaimed Hickory T&G Flooring

[John Kendall]

I've finally gotten to the place where I have been able to start installing the reclaimed hickory out of a barn that I had torn down. It took quite a bit of talking my better half into letting me install it. She was worried sick that it wasn't going to look good. She said "it is too rustic looking". I was finally successful and she's happy. Wow...! That was tougher than installing it, so far!

It's been a long time in the making. It had to be dried, sliced down and milled into the 3/4" T&G flooring I wanted. So far things are starting out good and I've been lucky to get quite a few good suggestions from folks here.

I have been amazed at the local flooring installers around my area though. Almost all of them have their own way of installing. Which I listened, learned and applied. I'm getting closer to the end of the 1100 sq/ft. I started with and can't wait to get it finished.

Here's a few picture so far :)

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/Tralfaz59/floorstartsmall.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/Tralfaz59/floor1small.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/Tralfaz59/floor2small.jpg

[frank shic]

john, that's a terrific job so far. i'll bet it'll really shine once the finish coats are down. did you mill all of that wood yourself? it must have taken hours!!! how's that bostitch flooring nailer working out for you? are you using staples or nails?

[John Kendall]

I don't have the equipment to mill it down, so the man who dismantled the barn had it all milled before we got it.

I'm using staples and am really happy with the Bostitch flooring nailer so far. It pulls the pieces together nice and tight. I had one mishap missing the top of the tongue and it was all I could do to get the staple pulled out. Actually the staple broke before I was able to get it to move. They are really tough and that wood seems super hard.

I can't wait to get it all down and finished. I am hoping it will look even better with all the blemishes from burn marks of the milling machine feeder to getting rid of some of the worm holes and smoothing out some of the rougher surfaces. Three more rooms and a hallway, then I can rest! :D

[scott spencer]

Nice, nice floor John! Love the look and the history of it. From the pics it almost has a "non-wormy" chestnut look to it. Had to be tough stuff to sand, but I love reclaiming wood and saving it from the burn pile.

Excellent job!

[Kendall Landry]

Thats really nice! Wifey's gonna love it when your done.

[Jeff Raymond]

Now THIS is nice work. It isn't often anymore when someone makes something out of wood that looks like real WOOD!

Kudos to you!

[Bryan Berguson]

Very nice John. I have about 1900 sq ft of hickory in my house and another 700 sq ft in a garage apartment. Your wife is going to love it and so will you. I filled knot holes and voids with clear epoxy before I did any finish sanding. The epoxy takes on the color of the surrounding wood and is beautiful when finished.

If I were doing it over again, I would take the time to drill, countersink and plug along the walls where you can't nail in the tongue. I did it in a couple of places and it looks great. Much nicer than face nailing and having to patch nail holes.

I also used staples and had zero problems with them.

Good luck.

Bryan

[Jim Becker]

That's a nice look, John. 'Looking forward to the pictures upon completion!

[John Kendall]

I started along the wall with drilling and plugging the holes. I've not taken the time to cut them off yet. I'm on a roll with getting it all put down. 2 rooms done. With the kitchen, breakfast nook and now a bedroom added to the list.

That's the complete downstairs except the bathroom! (Fortunately the bathroom was discussed and tile was agreed on to go there) Phewww!

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/Tralfaz59/pegs2.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/Tralfaz59/pegs1.jpg

[Bryan Berguson]

John,

You'll be happy you drilled and plugged. Instead of sawing mine off, I just sanded them down with my PC belt sander. With a new 150 grit belt, they went down in a hurry.

Bryan