Pine flooring

CoryM

After looking at wood flooring for my addition for the past few months, It seems the cost of prefinished is on the rise again.

My wife and I had the idea of using clear or #2 pine 1x6.
I know there would be a considerable amount of work on machining all ends, then sanding once laid, then staining and applying poly.

My question is this, has anyone used a similiar system? naturally would only be nailing the tounges to the subfloor, my concern is bowing in the middle of wider boards in this climate ( Chicago)

thanks

redline

The nailed tongue should hold down the board next to it.

troubleseeker

First, before spending a lot of money on a truck of material, buy six or eight boards and stain and finish them. Modern flat sawn pine is pretty ugly when stained, not the picture that most people think of when they see old pine floors, which were mostly old growth, quarter sawn boards. Unless you are after a rustic look, #2 is going to have too many defects to cut out, resulting in a lot of shorter boards. Also the modern pine is a lot softer than the old longleaf pine and is going to show much more distress from everyday use. There is flooring manufactured from new pine, but I don't think the typical lumber yard stuff is nearly floor quality.

troubleseeker

Only in theory. In reality, not even a pact with the devil is going to stop a typical pine 1 x 6 from cupping.