Why Reclaimed Flooring?
Reclaimed hardwood flooring offers three things that new flooring cannot: old-growth density that resists dents and wear far better than modern plantation wood, authentic patina and character marks that tell a story, and environmental responsibility that reduces your project's carbon footprint by up to 80%.
The most popular reclaimed flooring species are Heart Pine (for its rich amber color and incredible hardness), White Oak (for its classic beauty and water resistance), Red Oak (for its warm tones and availability), and Maple (for its pale brightness and extreme durability). Each species brings a different aesthetic and performance profile.
Preparation & Acclimation
Reclaimed flooring must be kiln-dried to 6-8% moisture content before installation. At GreenBoard, all flooring stock is kiln-dried in our solar-assisted kiln and moisture-tested board by board. We recommend acclimating the wood in the installation space for 5-7 days before installation, stacked with stickers between layers to allow air circulation.
The subfloor must be flat (within 3/16 inch per 10 feet), dry (below 12% moisture for wood subfloors, below 3 lbs per MVER test for concrete), and structurally sound. Reclaimed flooring is typically 3/4 inch thick and can be nailed, stapled, or glued down depending on the subfloor type.
Installation Methods
Nail-down on wood subfloors: Use a pneumatic flooring nailer with 2-inch cleats, nailing through the tongue at 45 degrees every 8-10 inches. Pre-drill end joints to prevent splitting — reclaimed hardwood is often denser than modern stock and splits more easily.
Glue-down on concrete: Use a moisture-barrier adhesive rated for hardwood flooring. Trowel with the recommended notch size. Press each board firmly and weight if necessary. This method works well for reclaimed flooring over radiant heat systems.
Floating installation is generally not recommended for reclaimed flooring due to thickness and density variations between boards.
Finishing
For reclaimed flooring, we recommend penetrating oil finishes (Rubio Monocoat, Osmo Polyx-Oil, or similar hardwax oils) rather than polyurethane film finishes. Oil finishes enhance the natural character of reclaimed wood, are easier to spot-repair, and do not peel or flake like film finishes can on old wood with variable absorption rates.
If a client prefers a film finish, use a water-based polyurethane with a satin or matte sheen. Apply 3 coats with light sanding (220 grit) between coats. Expect more variation in sheen than with new flooring, as the variable density of reclaimed wood affects absorption.