FAQ's
Is Reclaimed Wood Flooring More Expensive?
Q. How much does reclaimed wood flooring cost?
Authentic American reclaimed wood flooring will, as a general rule, cost more than a wood floor made from newly harvested wood. There are many more steps involved in the sourcing, reclamation, transporting, processing and defecting of the material that simply are not needed in producing a new wood floor. This additional cost is worth it though as the look and durability of a reclaimed wood floor is superior. Antique reclaimed wood flooring, custom wide plank wood flooring, antique barn siding, ceiling planking, and wall paneling are all priced by the square foot. Vintage reclaimed barn beams are priced by the board foot. Fireplace mantels are priced individually, but pricing is generally dependent on size and also by the board foot. Solid beams are priced by the board foot, including mantels. For mantels, we will attempt to choose a beam with the least amount of waste but pricing is based upon the entire length of the beam pulled; not just the needed length. We will provide you with any cutoffs. Each box beam project is unique and we'll be happy to quote you specific to your application and material.
Q. Where can I find a price list?
We do not have a standard price list on our website. This is because every floor we make is custom and the pricing is dependent on the particulars of what you select as well as current raw material pricing and availability volatility. The species of wood, age, and provenance of the wood, engineered versus solid planks, widths of planks, custom edge or surface treatments, and custom finish all are factors which determine the price. We have a variety of options and can help you select the option that meets the needs of your project and your budget.
Q. Do you take credit cards?
We do not take credit cards of any kind. We accept cash, check, or wire transfer.
ABOUT THE PROCESS:
Q. I want to redo my floors. How do I start?
To start, we’d recommend making an appointment to visit our showroom gallery in Anaheim, CA. Here, we can walk through the many variable to achieving your vision including the species of wood you’re looking for, textures, and explore what color and finish options are appropriate. We also have a project portfolio you can look through. Many times, this provides the inspiration for the look you’re searching for. If you’re outside the Southern California area, just give us a call. We’ll discuss your project and explain all the options; many of our clients never visit our facility. We also suggest that you browse our online portfolio, visit our Facebook or Instagram pages for design ideas. May we also suggest our Antique Barrel Collection, a division of The Vintage Wood Floor Company whose main focus is creating one of a kind products from reclaimed wine and whiskey barrels. Learn more about our family of companies here.
Q. Can I take immediate delivery?
We are a manufacturing mill and are intently not set up for traditional retail or pre-packaged sales. We do not carry anything "in-stock" other than our reclaimed wood wall panels. Our process is more personal, catering to the unique wishes of our clientele. We have lead times for each of our products but generally; mantles/beams is about 2-3 weeks, floors about 12-14 weeks, etc. All flooring purchases begin with an appointment.
ABOUT THE WOOD:
Q. Where do you get your wood?
The Vintage Wood Flooring Company scours the United States for buildings that are no longer safe or useful. And we recover these materials to create new architectural components that pay homage to their origins while providing another century of stunning service.
Q. How do I pick a wood species to fit my home?
First, it’s important to decide what look you’re going. Modern? Rustic? Traditional? Eclectic? The texture and coloring of the wood can have a big effect on the décor scheme. For example, cherry lends itself to a more formal feel than pine. Our customers often rely on the expertise of our owner, who has worked on many fine homes and commercial projects. Also, bringing in photos of your home or commercial project can be very helpful.
Q. What’s the difference between a hard and soft wood?
The primary difference is the density. Hardwoods are denser than softwoods, making them sturdier. That said, as soft wood is more susceptible to marks and dings, this may be an advantage since it adds character to the floor. Hard woods include oak, ash, hickory, and maple. Soft woods include Douglas fir and pine
Q. Why choose reclaimed wood? How is it different?
Reclaimed wood differs from new wood in that it has not been newly harvested. Reclaimed wood was once used for other purposes, such as a barn, schoolhouse, temple, or other structure. Not only is the practice of reclamation environmentally beneficial, it produces a floor with more beauty, character, and durability. Old wood tends to have more character and is more dense than newly harvested wood. You'll be able to see the difference.
Q. How do I get a brochure?
We have replaced our old, printed brochure with an online “eBrochure.” It’s just one more way that we’re keeping our commitment to be as green as possible. We are constantly searching the country and world for unique materials so there's no way to capture our current material supply in a brochure. You can download here: The Vintage Wood Floor Company eBrochure.
Q. Can I meet with someone to talk about my project?
Absolutely. We’d love to meet with you and discuss your plans. Whether you’re redoing a single room or your entire home, from new construction to remodel; we’re happy to meet with you on a one-on-one basis to talk about your project. Please contact us to schedule an appointment.
Q. Is there any way to see in person what you offer?
Definitely. For us, seeing and feeling the texture of the wood is an integral part of deciding what would be a perfect fit for your home. You can visit our showroom inside our state of the art manufacturing facility/mill by making an appointment to see large samples and discover what our company has to offer. Visit our Contact Us page for the address and driving directions but please make an appointment prior to your visit--we are a manufacturing facility and cannot accept walk-ins without appointments.
Q. Is there anything I should bring to the showroom?
Nothing is required for a showroom visit. However, if you’d like to bring the approximate measurements for your project and some inspirational pictures of flooring that you like, that will give us a better idea for what you envision. For beam projects, bring the dimensions of the beams you’re looking for (length, width, height) and quantities of each size.
Q. What is a board foot?
Beams are priced primarily by the board foot. A board foot is a volume measurement that is used in the United States and Canada to measure lumber. One board foot is the equivalent of a 12 in x 12 in x 1 in section. To calculate board footage, take the width in inches, times height in inches, times length in inches and divide by 144. Or take the width in inches, times height in inches, times length in feet and divide by 12. For example, if you wanted to purchase a beam that was 6 in x 6 in x 8 ft, it would be 24 board feet (bf).
Q. Do you sell individual planks?
No. We often have a selection of antique reclaimed barn siding, as well as barn boards and beams of standard sizes that are available at our yard for purchase in bulk or according to a cut list. However, and order must be placed to pull this material and our yard is open by appointment only, so please call ahead. You won't be able to necessarily view the material (it may be buried behind other material stacks) and will not be able to 'take it with you'.
Q. Do you have a minimum order?
Yes. The labor involved in sorting and selecting lumber from our vast inventory makes it necessary for us to establish a minimum order size. We will discuss this for each project.
Q. How to clean reclaimed wood floors?
A reclaimed wood floor is easy to clean, if you keep it clean. Dust and debris left on the surface over time will scratch and wear away the protective finish. The best way to clean reclaimed wood floors is to vacuum them often. For more detailed tips visit our blog on how to clean reclaimed wood floors here.
Q. How to install reclaimed wood flooring?
The Vintage Wood Floor Company is a wood flooring manufacturer, we do not do any type of installations. If you need a list of quality Installers, we have a referral list we'd be happy to offer you. Just give us a call 714-557-9655 or email us a marketing@vintagewoodfloors.com. All of our reclaimed wood flooring is intended to be 'glued and nailed' in place. This requires a solid and flat subfloor to nail to. For installations over concrete where nailing is not possible then gluing is the installation method. Your installer should have experience installing custom wood floors to ensure the layout is pleasing to the eye (variate color variations), ensure plank joints are dispersed randomly (e.g. our floors are random lengths so more layout planning is required for the best final appearance).