In the wood flooring industry, the term ‘old growth’ continues to be the subject of interpretation and controversy. At Madera Floors we make it our business to know more about wood than any other company, and to educate our customers so that they can make more informed purchasing decisions. We frequently address questions about ‘old growth’ trees, especially in relation to reclaimed timber. In fact, we have talked with many consumers who thought the terms meant the same thing and were misled into thinking their old growth flooring was the same as our antique reclaimed flooring. Here we define some of the terms and address questions surrounding the mystery of ‘old growth’.

Old Growth refers to established forests that, up until the time trees are cut, have had little or no disruption. Advocates of cutting old growth timbers suggest that pruning selected trees is good for the forest. We disagree. Old growth forests maintain themselves through a natural process that does not include cutting into the delicate fabric woven by nature.

How Old is “Old” Growth? The actual age that determines “old” growth varies depending on the specie, but it refers to the age at which a tree has reached its maturity. For an eastern white pine, it is between 130-150 years, while many of the hardwoods reach maturity at 80 years. But, what is most important is that at maturity and thereafter the old growth tree is still contributing to the ecosystem in which it lives.

Virgin Growth refers to dense stands of various species of hardwood or pine trees that are indigenous to their habitat; they have never been harvested. Many virgin forests are protected, but tragically there are also many that are still being cut today for purposes that include mass-produced wood flooring. Essentially, virgin timber is old growth that has never been cut, while old growth may or may not be virgin timber.

Reclaimed Wood is also referred to as Antique wood, and for us the terms are interchangeable when describing the wood we use to make our floors. We agree that old growth flooring is beautiful; however, we prefer to reuse this majestic timber that was originally cut to build structures that have shaped our history in the United States and in interesting places all over the world.

“Deconstruction” is the core of the reclaimed wood industry. The emphasis is on utilizing materials that have outlived their usefulness and would otherwise be demolished, discarded or left to decay. Deconstruction helps to close the resource loop that we now realize is so valuable in this world of finite resources.In recycling this precious material there is a significant positive environmental impact.

Deconstruction differs from ‘demolition’ in that it is a painstaking process involving the selective dismantlement of building components. We work with experts who carefully manage dismantling projects to preserve the grand dimensions of the beams, posts and floor joists; this will be reflected in your floor as we work to maintain the superior widths and lengths of these ancient timbers.

Demolition, on the other hand, is unfortunately the more common method of taking down a building. Implosion or ‘wrecking-ball’ style demolition is relatively inexpensive and offers a quick method of clearing sites for new structures. Consequently this process results in significant waste and unusable material.

For more information please visit our website at

www.maderafloors.com or our blog www.maderafloors.blogspot.com

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When looking to find good furniture, most of the options you’ll find available in the market are made of wood. This is simply because wood has always produced good quality pieces; available in various hues and firmness; durable and long lasting; and they can easily be cut and shaped into the design preferred by the manufacturer. Such are the attributes too, of the pine wood furniture we can purchase from stores or online.

If you’ve decided you finally need to replace your old stuff at home and you are considering buying wood furniture, then deciding which kind of wood on what furniture can be such a challenging task. As you are soon going to find out on your own, there are so many types of woods and finishes that are being offered and each type has its own advantage over the other. Try to clear your mind a bit now as we zoom in to one particular type of wood that is commonly used in furniture making.

Pine wood defined

Since a lot of furniture pieces are made from pine wood like dining tables, chairs, cabinets, or beds; it is best to know what a pine wood is.

There are two types of wood – hardwood and softwood . The classification is primarily based on the tree’s leaves and not on how tough the wood is. The hardwood trees have leaves that fall seasonally while the softwoods have leaves intact all year-round.

Pine is considered softwood and it varies from country to country. Some of the most commonly used pines for furniture in the US include Eastern White Pine, Sugar pine, and Ponderosa. These pine trees produce pine wood that features a light yellow color with dark, standout grains and knots. Pine wood is great for staining and as a softwood, it is easy to carve and work on.

Why Pine wood furniture pieces?

* The unfinished pine wood furniture sells cheaper than other sets made from other kinds of wood and that makes it quite popular.

* Coated with paint or varnish, the pine wood could easily achieve a fine finish. Its natural knots also contribute to making the furniture look really unique.

* Pine wood furniture mixed with other pieces in a room still looks good.

* Great for that rustic look or if you prefer English or Country themes.

* Very flexible in that it can be easily painted to match a room. Designs can be stenciled on it for more original creations. It can also be repainted again and again depending on the changing preferences of the user.

Since there are quite a few kinds of pine wood available it is good to know first what you really want for your decor. Compared to hardwood, pine is much more pliable in that it can be easily manipulated or worked on. If manufactured excellently, a piece of pine wood furniture can last for a long, long time. As there are really knots naturally found on pine wood, it is wise to check for those furniture with less knots as these can create holes that can make the furniture less durable.