Robert J Henry from the new & Reclaimed Flooring company explains how to buy reclaimed wooden flooring

The benefits of a reclaimed wooden floor lie in the quality of the material and the inherent beauty of an aged piece of wood. Older trees (100 years plus) were slower grown, therefore their grain structure is tighter and the timber more durable. They also exhibit a richer hue of subtle colour variations and a strong, unique character.

The one product that is always in demand is english Victorian pine, which is reclaimed from homes across the UK. We also reclaim Victorian structural pine from industrial spaces such as old cotton mills — these timbers vary between joists and millboards, so are different when compared to original Victorian floorboards. Other favourites include 200- to 300-year-old French reclaimed boards. Re-sawn French and european antique beams are also an excellent source material and great for creating patterns such as parquet.

Be aWaRe…

Consider wood infestation, chemical contamination and wood durability.

There is a big difference between reclaimed timbers that are one year old, 10 years old, 100 years old or more than 300 years old. It has been known for resellers of reclaimed timbers to be unable to offer specific details, such as the age of the wood and the area it was reclaimed from, which can lead to confusion when specifying and comparing patina variations. Always ask the supplier how they grade the material, and what happens if you don’t like some of the boards that arrive, for example.

Renovation tips

If a floor needs restoration, my top tip would be not to over-sand it. Try a small corner of the floor first to gauge it. You will then need to oil or wax it to protect from surface damage and footfall. not all products suit an antique reclaimed wood floor, so choose the right one for your wood type.

What to pay

Reclaimed timber flooring ranges from £49£400/m2. However, I believe that price has more to do with customer service. Ask where the flooring was manufactured or engineered, how environmentally friendly it is, what the sample-making and aftercare policy is, if they know of any certified installers to use, what finishing options are available, and why should you buy from that company.