Hardwood flooring brings warmth and elegance to any space, but have you ever wondered how each plank is made? From tree to finished product, the process involves several crucial steps to ensure strength, beauty, and longevity. Let’s take a closer look at how hardwood floor planks are crafted.
1. Selecting and Harvesting the Wood
The process begins with choosing the right type of hardwood, such as oak, maple, hickory, or walnut. Trees are harvested responsibly from sustainable forests and sent to sawmills for processing.
2. Cutting the Logs
At the sawmill, logs are cut into rough boards using specialized saws. The method of cutting—plain sawn, quarter sawn, or rift sawn—affects the wood grain pattern and overall appearance of the final planks.
3. Drying the Wood
Freshly cut wood contains a high level of moisture, which can lead to warping or shrinking if not properly dried. To stabilize the boards, the wood is dried in two stages.
- Air drying: The boards are stacked in a well-ventilated area and left to dry naturally over several months.
- Kiln drying: To speed up the process and achieve the desired moisture content, the boards are placed in a kiln, where controlled heat removes excess moisture, reducing the risk of expansion and contraction.
4. Planing and Grading
Once the boards have reached the appropriate moisture level, they are planed to achieve a smooth, uniform thickness. At this stage, the wood is also graded based on its quality, with higher-grade planks featuring fewer knots and imperfections. Some homeowners prefer a more rustic look, opting for character-grade wood that highlights natural variations.
5. Tongue and Groove Milling
Planks are milled with interlocking tongue-and-groove edges, allowing for seamless installation and minimal movement over time. The precision of this milling is crucial for the flooring’s overall stability.
6. Sanding and Finishing
The planks are sanded to remove any remaining roughness, and then they are either sold as unfinished or pre-finished flooring.
- Unfinished flooring allows homeowners to customize the stain and finish after installation.
- Pre-finished flooring comes with a factory-applied finish, offering enhanced durability and quicker installation.
7. Quality Control and Packaging
Before reaching customers, each plank undergoes a final quality check to inspect. The finished planks are then packaged and shipped, ready to be installed in homes and businesses.
Providing Beautiful Hardwood Floors Since 1994
Every plank has a story—from a tree in the forest to the floor beneath your feet. Understanding this process makes it even easier to appreciate the craftsmanship behind hardwood flooring.
Looking to upgrade your home with hardwood floors? Our team at Barnum Floors lives and breathes hardwood—the trade has been in our family for decades. Browse our wood education articles for information on how to take care of your hardwood, an inside look at our processes, industry news, and more. Contact Barnum Floors today to explore our selection and find the perfect fit for your space!
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