The work continues at my buddy’s future Irish pub. Tearing out floor boards and he decided to plane a couple down. I haven’t seen lumber in person yet to give it the sniff test but he’s curious what he’s got. I’m thinking oak but could it possibly be chestnut? House was built in the 1840/50 range. Either way it’s nice looking stuff. He’s got quite a bit of it too.
The board on the right definitely looks like it could be chestnut. It’s got the right color for sure. I don’t see any flecks that are signature for oak. I’ve only milled smaller diameter post-blight chestnut so I can’t say for certain.
I’m not sure about anything! I’ll be able to tell more later when I see it with my own eyes. I do find it strange that they would of used hardwoods for floorboard but who knows. Used what they had available back then.
Possibly chestnut. The left board reminds me of T&G fir which was very popular for porch floors on old houses. Still can be found at older lumberyards, but very pricey. Some really nice looking reclaimed stock for sure. Any plans for it?
That's why I asked. The left reminded me of fir as well. But I'm in the south and there is no for in anything old! If would of been about logistically impossible and only able for the super wealthy back then if they wanted it for any reason. Everything here from shacks to anti bellum mansions had pine. Shacks just plain pine and the nicer ones have heart pine that's like two inches thick. In between Holmes would also have heart pine but not as thick.
I’m 99% sure the plank on the right is chestnut. My family room is paneled and trimmed in chestnut. Grain pattern is spot on. The other plank looks oakey to me.
I have Chestnut wood in my house, also the sills 6" x 6" circa 1880 and I've seen Chestnut furniture many times. So I agree with rpdragon .
