I’m just going to come out and say it:  if you’re wiping you’re doing it wrong.  Ditch the toilet paper and embrace what Europeans have known for ages:  it’s all about the bidet.  Bidets have been a staple in European bathrooms since the 1700’s, and now (thankfully), they’re becoming increasingly popular as a must have hygiene product in the US.

For new construction or full bathroom renovations, adding a bidet is easy.  But, if you’re like the majority of Americans and you purchased a pre-existing home, installing a bidet is typically not an option.  At least it wasn’t, until the rise of SmartBidet.  SmartBidet delivers all the benefits of having a stand alone bidet, but is a simple add-on to your existing toilet.  Best of all, it adds a host of features that makes stand alone bidets all but obsolete.   We first purchased the SmartBidet SB-3000 a couple years ago as a trial in our master bathroom, and we were so impressed we soon purchased a second for our children’s bathroom, as we kept finding the kids sneaking into the master bathroom to savor the SmartBidet.  Then we had guests who would disappear into our bathroom, only to return raving how amazing our toilet was.  And honestly, I can’t blame them, because let’s face it:  who doesn’t want  to sit down on a warm seat, do their business, get gently caressed with an unlimited supply of warm water before being dried to a perfectly toasted finish?  Needless to say, we’ve had numerous guests add one in their own in their homes.

The SmartBidet SB-3000 is a brilliant design, extremely easy to install with all the parts you need to hookup provided for you out of the box.  Each user can customize their own experience, from a gentle cleanse to a full turbo wash that, if you’re not careful, will cleanse far more than the exterior, if you know what I mean.  Let’s just say if cleanliness is next to Godliness, this bidet is your salvation.  Do you like your water hot or cold? You can pick your perfect temperature, and the hot water is on demand so you never get a cold surprise if you’re cleansing too long.  And while you may be thinking, that all sounds great but it’s too much technology for me, my youngest son, only three, knows exactly which buttons to push and has eliminated our reliance on wet wipes and those calls from the bathroom, “I’m done!”  that every parent hears on a daily basis.

The SmartBidet SB-3000 is a brilliant design

Still not sold?  Here’s a quick look at the specific features of the SB-3000 as well as look at the history and benefits of bidets. But honestly, if you’ve gotten this for, I highly recommend just heading straight to the SmartBidet website and ordering one now.

SmartBidet SB-3000 Features and Benefits

The SmartBidet SB-3000 is a top-of-the-line bidet that offers many features and benefits, including:

• Adjustable water temperature and pressure: The SB-3000 allows you to customize the water temperature and pressure to your liking, making it a more comfortable and effective cleaning experience.
• Adjustable nozzle position: The nozzle position can be adjusted to fit your body, ensuring that you get a thorough , perfectly aimed clean every time.
• Warm air dryer: The SB-3000 includes a warm air dryer that eliminates the need for toilet paper, making it an eco-friendly and cost-effective option.
• Deodorizer: The SB-3000 includes a deodorizer that eliminates odors, ensuring that your bathroom stays fresh and clean.
• Remote control: The SB-3000 comes with a remote control that allows you to easily adjust the settings, making it a more user-friendly option.
• Soft-close lid: The SB-3000 includes a soft-close lid that reduces the risk of damage and noise.
• Night light: The SB-3000 includes a night light that makes it easier to use the bidet in the dark.

History of Bidets

Bidets have been used for centuries and were first invented in France in the 1600s as an accessory to the chamber pot. The word “bidet” comes from the French word for “pony,” as the original design was said to resemble a small horse. The original bidet was a bowl-shaped fixture that was filled with water and used to cleanse, you guessed it, after using the toilet.

In the 1900s, bidets became more popular in Europe and Asia, but they did not gain popularity in the United States until the 1960s. In recent years, bidets have become more popular as people have become more concerned about hygiene and environmental sustainability.

Benefits of Using a Bidet

• Improved hygiene: Bidets are more effective than toilet paper at cleaning the genital and anal areas, which can reduce the risk of infections and other health problems.
• Environmental sustainability: Bidets use less water and paper than traditional toilet paper, making them a more eco-friendly option.
• Comfort: Bidets are more comfortable than using toilet paper, which can be abrasive and cause irritation.
• Cost-effective: Over time, bidets can save money on toilet paper and other hygiene products.

Bidets have been used for centuries and have many benefits, including improved hygiene, environmental sustainability, comfort, and cost-effectiveness. The SmartBidet SB-3000 is a top-of-the-line bidet that offers many features and benefits, including adjustable water temperature and pressure, adjustable nozzle position, warm air dryer, deodorizer, remote control, soft-close lid, and night light. Whether you are looking for a more hygienic, comfortable, eco-friendly, or cost-effective option, the SB-3000 is a great choice, and after years of use, has made me vow never to go back to the old ways again.

Click here to visit the SmartBidet website.

If you’ve ever felt the joy of building or remodeling a home you know the pain that came with it. My wife compared it to childbirth – tortuous while you’re experiencing it, but worth it in the end.

It’s a pain I’ve been fortunate to feel on a few occasions, and one that I’ve been embarked on yet again, in taking on a classic New England farmhouse renovation. Built in the late 1700’s, the house and barn have fallen into disrepair after 200 plus years in the same family, and yet their at-present dilapidated appearance can’t diminish the beauty and understated refinement lying just beneath the surface.

In starting the renovation journey, I’ve already made more choices than I can count – some easy, some difficult – but one of the decisions that for me came nearly instantaneously was the choice of which material to use for the siding. If you’ve ever visited New England, you know that Eastern White Cedar is the single most iconic material you’ll find, gracing everything from fishing cottages in Maine to sprawling compounds in Nantucket. It is without question the most enduring, distinctive and functional siding and roofing material you’ll find anywhere on the planet, and it was the obvious choice when it came time to decide which siding material I should choose for my own home.

So why specifically did I choose Eastern White Cedar? Beyond the obvious good looks and iconic style, Eastern White Cedar’s benefits far outweigh any other siding and roofing options, both on a performance and environmental scale.

Eastern White Cedar Benefits

The singular greatest feature of Eastern White Cedar is simple: long term, Eastern White Cedar is both renewable and fully biodegradable. It’s something that’s so often overlooked, but through sustainable forest management, Eastern White Cedar is a completely renewable resource. From the moment a tree is planted, it immediately improves the environment, capturing CO2 from the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis to create biomass while also helping transfer additional carbon into the soil.

Once the tree is harvested, every portion of the tree can subsequently be used during the manufacturing process, from the wood used to create siding and roofing down to the sawdust which can be converted to energy to power the manufacturing equipment. Over the course of its life, when properly installed, the wood will provide 40 or more years of protection from the elements, until eventually it will be composted and converted back into soil. Looking at the life cycle of Eastern White Cedar, it offers benefits every second of its existence, only to rejoin the Earth and build new soil for the next generation of plantings.

When it comes to the environmental benefits of Eastern White Cedar versus the alternatives, there’s simply no comparison.

Compare this to the never-ending assortment of materials so commonly used as building materials today, and it’s easy to see the environmental benefits Eastern White Cedar offers. Metal products that must be mined, heavily processed and aren’t renewable; oil based materials that harm the environment, deplete fossil fuels and require heavy processing; and concrete that again must be mined and is incredibly difficult to recycle. When it comes to the environmental benefits of Eastern White Cedar versus the alternatives, there’s simply no comparison.

In addition to the environmental benefits, the secondary benefit of Eastern White Cedar is the inherent benefits of the wood itself. Because Eastern White Cedar is naturally able to repel water and insects, it can be installed without any additional coatings or protectants without diminishing its ability to provide decades upon decades of protection. You still have the option of numerous coatings including stains and latex finishes, but they’re entirely optional.

Not only is it rot and insect resistant, Eastern White Cedar is also incredibly lightweight and insulating, weighing up to 75% less than roof tiles and providing two to five times the insulating factor of other building materials thanks to its open cell structure. Despite its lightweight, Eastern White Cedar is incredibly strong and stable, rated for winds up to 130 mph and able to withstand freeze and thaw cycles much better than other materials, which due to the expansion and contraction from changing temperatures are prone to cracks and leaking.

Add it all up, and it boils down to this: Eastern White Cedar is one of the rare materials that not only looks amazing and adds instant character to any home, it has the inherent benefits and eco friendliness to match.

Waska Eastern White Cedar Shingles

Knowing that I would be using Eastern White Cedar in my project, the next step was selecting a manufacturer. Over the years I’ve learned that not all building materials are created equal. Improper milling, inconsistent finishes and quality, manufacturing defects – these are just some of the things I’ve experienced on previous home builds that have led to countless headaches and time lost. So it was vital to me to find a company that offered the highest quality and consistency of Eastern White Cedar, but also one that practiced responsible, renewable ways of sourcing lumber.

After viewing numerous samples and manufacturers, my selection was simple: I chose a company by the name of Waska. A world leader in Eastern White Cedar shingle production, Waska has been in business since 1969. Since then, have developed a cedar product range that includes numerous shingle options in both conventional and Victorian designs. In addition, cedar laths, and cedar by-products used in the paper industry; cedar chips for playground, mulch for landscaping and animal bedding as well as energy creation. Each year they produce about 70,000 squares of Eastern White Cedar shingles, with 99% of their lumber sourced from FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) or SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) suppliers.

The quality of Waska Eastern White Cedar Shingles was simply unmatched compared to the other cedar shingle manufacturers I found, with exemplary quality and craftsmanship on every piece I looked at.

When viewing cedar samples firsthand, it was this experience manufacturing shingles for more than 50 years that immediately stood out. The quality of Waska Eastern White Cedar Shingles was simply unmatched compared to the other cedar shingle manufacturers I found, with exemplary quality and craftsmanship on every piece I looked at. It’s like I said at the beginning of this story – some decisions are difficult to make, but when it came down to choosing a cedar shingle manufacturer, Waska was the clear choice.

Waska Eastern White Cedar Shingle Product Range

So which Waska Eastern White Cedar shingles did I choose? I went as classic as I could, opting for the unfinished Extra Grade A shingles. Beginning life as a beautiful natural light wood color, these (as well as all unfinished white cedar shingles) will age gracefully, taking on the classic New England silvery grey as time goes on while adding a varied, perfectly distinctive character to any architectural project.

I should note that if you’re unfamiliar with cedar shingles, like most lumber, they come in grades. Waska’s highest graded product was my choice – the Extra Grade A – which means the shingles are clear wood, free of knots. The next grade is Clear Grade B, which means there are no knots on the exposed face of the shingle (the lower 6 inches of the shingle); followed by Second Clear Grade C, which offers a more rustic appearance with a darker color and sound knots on the face. They also offer undercourse/utility grade for use as shims or as starter rows under the other grades.

Waska’s highest grades – Extra Grade A and Clear Grade B – also feature what Waska calls rebutting and resquaring, meaning each shingle is milled perfectly to eliminate on-site shaving during installation. This milling is so vital, as shingles are installed individually, and proper squaring of the shingles ensures rows remain perfectly aligned and spaced.

And while Waska’s natural Eastern White Cedar shingles were the perfect choice for my project, many prefer a more uniform, or colored option, and Waska offers a multitude of options for this group as well. Should you want the look of weathered shingles but in a faster, more uniform way, Waska offers what’s called Weathering Stain from Olympic/PPG. This coating gives the shingles the classic New England silver-grey look faster than nature – approximately 6-9 months, to be precise – and more uniformly than if Mother Nature alone does the work for you.

The next option is a semi-transparent stain from Olympic/PPG, which is the perfect option if you’re looking for a colored cedar shingle that maintains some of the wood’s characteristics like wood grain and texture while having the ability to deviate from the weathered grey palette. And should you want the ultimate in color options, the final option is Olympic/PPG MachineCoat, which is a 100% acrylic latex coating designed specifically for machine application to real wood and giving you an unlimited color palette to choose from.

No matter which finish options you choose, all benefit from factory application, which is far superior to finishing your shingles on-site after installation. Because they’re being coated in a factory, climate conditions are controlled, the moisture content of the wood is controlled, and all sides of the shingles are evenly coated with the correct thickness of material being applied. Compared to on-site finishing, where weather conditions vary constantly and only the exposed portion of the shingle is coated, and it’s easy to see why factory finishing is the superior option.

Aside from grade and color, there’s one final product range from Waska that bears mention, and that is the Victorian Series of shingles from Waska. Available exclusively in Extra Grade A, Waska offers a total of 10 (ten) different hand-cut shingle designs to match any architectural style, all of which are 5″ wide and 16″ long. Each of the designs is available with the aforementioned coating options, offering limitless color options for your project.

Waska Eastern White Cedar Shingle Conclusion

Some home building decisions are difficult, and some are not. If you’re in the midst of building a home or remodeling, I can’t say enough good things about Waska Eastern White Cedar shingles. Beauty, character, function and eco-friendliness – everything you can ask for in a building material can be found in Waska’s product lineup. If you’re looking for a way to truly make your home stand out in a timeless, truly distinctive way, look no further than Waska’s Eastern White Cedar shingles. You won’t be disappointed.

You can learn more about the entire lineup of Eastern White Shingles at the official Waska website.

The Timberlane brand has become synonymous with exceptional quality and is regularly specified by some of the most respected and influential architects, decorators, contractors, and historians throughout the US and beyond. Timberlane shutters currently hang on the windows of the White House, and as the only company formally endorsed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation we are proud to have our shutters hang on some of our nation’s most prestigious historic sites, academic institutions, and even Disney’s Famous Haunted Mansion!

At Timberlane we trust there is more to a home than just the basic necessities. We consider them a living entity, and that we create exactly what they require; beautiful hand-crafted shutters and hand-forged shutter hardware. Our artisans here at Timberlane meticulously craft exterior shutters that can not be replicated. With many combinations of materials, styles, types, colors, and hardware, Timberlane is able to custom manufacture any style shutter with detailed specifications for any customer.

Timberlane also offers an extensive selection of custom shutter options including panel configurations, cut outs and radius tops, as well as the largest collection of hand-forged and period -perfect shutter hardware available including: shutter hinges, pintels, slide locks, pull rings and tie backs (shutter dogs).

Timberlane Endurian Line of Shutters: The Sleekest Shutters Ever Made

Our Endurian line of outdoor shutters is the sleekest line of shutters we build. They are the world’s first fully customizable maintenance-free shutters. Each Endurian shutter is hand-crafted and assembled, resulting in a masterpiece with a high level of detailing for which Timberlane is so well known for. Once they are painted, your eyes will be fascinated with the sensual appeal that they exhibit.

Our Endurian shutters produce a timeless elegance that will make your home look magnificent for many years to come since we utilize a range of the best synthetic materials and not just one material alone. With multiple panel configurations, the choice of 24 standard shutter colors, and the custom color matching process, you can not go wrong with this work of exquisiteness. Each Endurian shutter is finished with a capitalized paint that was specifically designed to bond with the shutter material. Enhancing the beauty, detail, and crafstmanship with a rock-solid coat that will stand up to the harshest environments.

Our line of Endurian shutters appeal to every type of customer because of their maintenance-free characteristic. Our customers, regardless of their customer profile, choose this line because they do not have to worry about the paint chipping in a year. To truly apprecaite Endurian shutters you will have to wait a couple of generations for they do not age. At Timberlane, we produce the best, quality shutters, and that is proven through our Endurian brand.

To learn more about the Timberlane Endurian Line of Shutters, you can request more information at Timberlane.com.

Timberlane Premium Wood Line of Shutters: The Traditional Shutter Choice

Timberlane’s Premium Wood line of shutters offers you the traditional beauty and flawless finish your home desires. We offer three types of wood: Western Red Cedar, Honduras Mahogany, and Spanish Cedar. All three wood types create beautiful pieces of art. From the moment you order, your wooden shutters are completely custom made and hand-crafted.

For the Purists out there, we can create your shutters out of any species of wood, however our Premium kiln-dried Western Red Cedar is our first love. From the moment you order, your wood shutters are completely custom made. Whether you choose Western Red Cedar, Honduras Mahogany, or Spanish Cedar, the wood is hand selected, and patiently kiln-dried to prevent expansion and contraction in different weather conditions for our Louver styles.Your wooden shutter is then put together by using a traditional mortise and tenon hardwood peg construction. A nail or a screw is used, ensuring your Timberlane shutter will hang straight and true for years on end. Choose to receive your shutters fully painted, primed, or unfinished. We think you’ll find that our shutters are truly works of art, with or without paint.

To learn more about the Timberlane Premium Wood Line of Shutters, you can request more information at Timberlane.com.

Houses are funny things.  On paper, it’s easy to look at two houses and think they’re identical.  Same square footage, same number of bedrooms and bathrooms, etc.  But, when you actually start looking at houses, you quickly discover nothing could be further from the truth.  Every house is different.  Some are new, some are old, some are bland, some are gaudy.  You can look at twenty houses (or thirty, or forty) that share virtually identical attributes on paper, but eventually, if you’re lucky, you find the one that’s makes you forget all the others – the one that’s special.

Special houses are, in many ways, living, breathing entities.  They have stories to tell.  They have their own unique character.  Simply put, a truly special house speaks to you.  It’s difficult to say what makes a house special, just as it’s difficult to say what makes your husband or wife special.  Why you choose, out of everyone else on the planet, to settle down with that particular person.  But there’s just something about them – an unspoken, undefinable trait they possess – that draws you to them.  Houses work the same way.  When you step inside a house that’s special, it’s not the size or the number of bedrooms that make it special, it’s the feeling that overwhelms you when you step inside it.  It’s like you’ve found your soul mate.

Personally, I don’t think special houses are born – I think they’re made.  What I mean by that is I think the truly great houses aren’t spec houses built by a builder; they’re the ones that have owners that shape each and every facet of them.  Owners that have gone to painstaking, obsessively compulsive lengths to make sure that every minute part of it is perfect.  It’s not something that happens overnight, it’s something that happens over the course of months… years even… as these individuals breathe new life into what was once just an ordinary space.

A year ago, I bought a house, and it was this truth that, in many ways, motivated the purchase.  It wasn’t the house in its then current form that attracted me, but rather the vision of what I could make it.  A vision of how special the house could be, with the right owner.  Fast forward a year, and I can’t tell you how much time I’ve spent designing and laboring on my house, all to bring this vision to reality.  I’ve scrutinized virtually every aspect of the house, taking it down to studs in many places, and building it back up.  But looking at it now and seeing each piece that I hand selected being put into place, there truly is an indescribable character emanating from it – a specialness that I can’t describe.  I walk into it, and it just feels like home.

Why am I telling you all this?  It’s quite simple, really.  Throughout my year-long renovation journey, I learned a great deal about a home’s character and about what elements play a substantial role in the overall feeling of a home.  I also spent a tremendous of time researching which companies and products to work with, making numerous (sometimes costly) mistakes along the way.  I’m here to share what I’ve learned, helping you avoid the pitfalls I encountered and telling you about some of the companies I’ve worked with that are really unequalled in their fields.  Whether your building a new house, renovating an existing house or just want to update a select area of your home, I highly recommend you read on, as it will give you a great idea of what to do, what not to do, and most importantly, who to work with.

Selecting flooring

Talk to an interior designer, and they’ll tell you the easiest way to change the feel of a room is paint.  They’re right.  Painting is simple; it’s quick; and it’s relatively inexpensive.  But here’s the real question:  what’s the best way to change the feel of a room?  Personally, I think it all starts with the floor.  A beautiful floor sets the stage for a beautiful room.  Take a plain white room, add a gorgeous floor, and when you enter it, the floor will immediately capture your attention.  It defines the space.  Take the same room, paint it the perfect shade of paint, and add some cheap flooring.  While the room will feel different, it won’t feel better.  The paint will be overshadowed by the flooring, and the character you wanted the room to have will be inexplicably absent.  Before you do anything else to a room, pick flooring to define the space.

So what exactly is the perfect flooring?  I’ll be blunt:  the answer is wood.  You didn’t think it would be that simple, but it is.  There is absolutely nothing that can come close to the sheer beauty and character exuded by a wood floor.  It’s an answer that applies irrespective of style.  Classic, traditional, contemporary – it doesn’t matter what style of home you have or what style you’re seeking, a wood floor is the absolute perfect flooring material for any style you can imagine.  Unfortunately, it was a fact unbeknownst to my home’s previous owners, who had carpeted the vast majority of the house.  Needless to say, the carpet in my house was the first thing to go, and thus began my journey into the world of wood flooring.

To be honest, I had no idea how difficult selecting wood flooring would be.  After meeting with designers and viewing hundreds of rooms for inspiration, I had a clear idea of what I wanted before I began the purchase process.  Add in the fact I saw flooring sales from local big box stores every week and ads from local flooring stores almost every day, I figured it would be a case of walking into a store, picking what I wanted, and being done.  If I was unlucky, I figured 2, maybe 3 stores at the most to find what I was looking for.  Oh how wrong I was.  I kid you not – I went to pretty much every flooring store in a 40 mile radius, and I quickly discovered that finding flooring is an incredibly difficult task.

To me, it is absolutely imperative that wood flooring exhibits a sense of character in a room.  Every wood species has an inherent beauty in it – a natural design that sets it apart from any other material on the planet.  It has unique grain patterns; it has distinct color characteristics; it has individual flaws.  But upon surveying wood flooring at local retailers, I quickly learned that wood flooring has been transformed into a soulless, mass produced product reminiscent of any other flooring material.  Innocent trees have given up their lives to become engineered, pre-finished, perfectly uniform pieces of wood that lack the true traits a wood floor should possess.  I wanted wood floors, but not like this.  I decided to look elsewhere, so I took my search online, and that’s when I was introduced to a company by the name of Pioneer Millworks.

The Pioneer Millworks Story

Pioneer Millworks is, for all intents and purposes, the quintessential American company.  In a day when monolithic corporations and global flooring conglomerates churn out remarkably lackluster products, Pioneer Millworks stands squarely against them, producing the most gorgeous, character-laden wood flooring I’ve ever seen.

It sounds a little like David and Goliath, but in truth, it’s more like the Spartans doing battle against the Persians in the Battle of Thermopylae.  Huge flooring manufacturers flood the market with 18,000 inferior, truly uninspiring products, and Pioneer Millworks responds by delivering 50 products that overpower any of those offered by their competitors.  Strength isn’t derived from numbers, it’s derived from strategy, and it’s Pioneer Millworks’ strategy in producing flooring that sets them apart from the sea of competitors it’s up against.

It’s a strategy that began a little more than 20 years ago, in the small town of Shortsville, NY.  The idea was to salvage existing wood destined for a land fill and to grant it new life, transforming it into something beautiful that could be used again. The wood would come from a variety of sources – much of it from old barns and industrial buildings (like the barn pictured here), but some of it from diverse places such as wine vats and shipping containers.  The defining trait was that none of the wood would come from new lumber or sources detrimental to the environment.

Once they had the wood, Pioneer Millworks would begin the transformation process, going through each piece of timber by hand and removing any metal or fasteners still present in the wood.  The lumber would then be sent to the mill, where it would then be re-sawn into planks, sorted, and kiln-dried, before finally being given a tongue and groove for its new life as reclaimed flooring.

Needless to say, the strategy worked.  Today, Pioneer Millworks has grown to become the country’s largest domestic resource of reclaimed wood products, with two locations (one in New York and one in Oregon), a little less than 100 employees, a 50,000 sq. foot shop, and a 9-acre lumber yard.  Roughly 70 percent of their production consists of flooring products, while the other 30 percent includes reclaimed siding, millwork and timbers (see their sister company New Energy Works to see some examples of reclaimed timbers in use).  But what may be most impressive is the fact that even with their growth, Pioneer Millworks has managed to create an operational model that exemplifies eco-friendliness.  Their operations are sourced entirely in the U.S.; their complete product range is FSC certified; their power is derived entirely from wind; their heat is provided from boilers powered by their own wood scraps; even their sawdust is converted to pellets for use in home heating.  Topping it all off, Pioneer Millworks produces wood flooring that has a beauty and character unmatched by any other flooring on the planet.

Why Choose Pioneer Millworks’ Reclaimed Flooring?

I’ll be honest – when selecting flooring, my first priority was its appearance.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the planet, but that wasn’t the first thing that drew me to Pioneer Millworks.  It was the beauty of the flooring.  As I already noted, it was vital to me that the floor I selected had a sense of character unto itself.  Whether it was going in a plain white room or a room that had more intricate millwork, it didn’t matter.  I wanted a floor that had a distinct presence irrespective of what was around it, so that when you stepped into the room, it immediately captured your attention.  I looked at hundreds of flooring options, and none had anywhere near the character of the flooring offered by Pioneer Millworks.

It’s a character that’s derived from a variety of things.  Firstly, there’s the reclaimed element in and of itself.  Because it was previously used in another structure or application, reclaimed flooring has a series of imperfections built into it.  Nail holes, bolt holes, saw marks, insect tracks – all are possible, each of which provides a visible reminder that the wood had a previous life.  The number of imperfections varies based on the wood flooring you select.  For a more rugged look, Pioneer Millworks offers a range of mixed softwoods and mixed hardwoods, with defining characteristics including a wider color variation, saw marks, knots, nail holes – everything you want if you’re looking for a more casual, character-laden wood floor.  At the opposite end of the spectrum, Pioneer Millworks offers reclaimed walnut flooring – a floor that’s beauty is nearly beyond belief – yet a floor that still notes a few nail holes and slight imperfections, demonstrating its heritage.  It’s a floor whose richness would be at home in virtually any setting, from a sprawling $20 million estate to 800 sq. ft NYC apartment, and is the single most gorgeous flooring I’ve ever seen.

Beyond the signs of its past life, the second reason to opt for reclaimed flooring is the wood itself.  Reclaimed flooring was originally milled and used in a different era, at a time when old growth trees were used and more species of wood were available.  In fact, Chestnut and Elm were decimated by blights in the early 20th century, meaning reclaimed is the only option for adding these two wood species to your home.  As for the benefits of old growth wood, it offers intense grain patterns, rich patinas and a stability that is absolutely impossible to duplicate with any flooring produced today.  And that’s really the key element to remember when looking at reclaimed flooring.  While new flooring manufacturers try to emulate the look of historic flooring and old growth trees, reclaimed flooring is the authentic, genuine product that everyone else is aspiring to.  It’s weathered storms, withstood generations of use, and has a unique history unlike anything new you can buy today.  Reclaimed flooring has had a century’s worth of character infused directly into it, and it’s this singular fact that makes it impossible for any other flooring to surpass or even equal either its quality or character.

Lastly, the final reason to opt for reclaimed flooring is the environmental impact.  Reclaimed flooring (and other reclaimed products) are derived from wood that otherwise is destined for a landfill or some other form of disposal.  Wood that, as we’ve already discussed, is not only usable, it’s beautiful, old growth lumber that has its own defining character.  By opting for reclaimed flooring, you’re getting the absolute best flooring available, you’re saving what would otherwise be waste, and and you’re eliminating the need to cut down new trees.

Eliminating the need for new lumber is especially important as of late, when exotic species are rising tremendously in popularity.  Exotics under a vast array of names including Brazilian walnut, Brazilian cherry, African walnut, Acacia, etc. are derived to a large extent from environmentally detrimental means, including harvesting from the rain forest (both in South America and Southeast Asia) as well as illegal logging operations.  If you’re considering an exotic, I can’t stress enough not to – it’s not worth the very strong possibility that it was taken in a way that’s devastating to its region’s habitat.  And even if you’re considering a species that’s not endangered or an integral part of the earth’s ecosystem, there’s still nothing that’s anywhere near as environmentally friendly as Pioneer Millworks’ reclaimed flooring.

Selecting a Species of Reclaimed Flooring

Picking the perfect reclaimed flooring is really up to your individual tastes, but as a general rule, hardness, grain pattern, and to slightly less extent, color are the three key things to consider.  For highly trafficked areas, most opt for a hardwood, such as ash, hickory, oak or beech/maple, all of which are capable of withstanding a relatively large amount of abuse without denting or gouging.  On the other end of the spectrum, pine is a very soft wood, and as such, it will develop dents and marks typical of softwood floors as it ages.  In between, Walnut, Cherry and Chestnut offer a descending degree of hardness.  Of course, part of the beauty of reclaimed flooring lies in its imperfections, so while most choose hardwood for highly trafficked areas, softer woods, while showing wear, are still a fantastic option anywhere, as they’ll develop a unique sense of character over their lifetime.

Once you’ve selected a hardness, the next thing to consider is the grain pattern.  Ash, for example, is very similar to oak; however it’s grain pattern is lighter, and it has no discernible ray fleck.  Hickory, on the other hand, has beautifully contrasting light tans with darker brown swirls, offering a lighter floor with gorgeously contrasting grains.  And then there’s walnut, a species that has a simply mesmerizing array of swirls, patterns and colors throughout.  The key is to decide what’s the perfect hardness, pattern and amount of grain for your use, and then move on to color.

You may be wondering why you don’t choose color first, and the reason is simple:  you can choose to finish different woods in various shades of color.  Oak, for example, is a medium-toned wood, but for those that love the grain and hardness associated with oak but want a darker wood, you can opt to stain it a deeper shade during installation.  The same is true for the majority of other lighter woods.  In Pioneer Millworks’ lineup, all of their American Gothic range can be finished in varying colors, with species available including Ash, Cherry, Chestnut, Elm, Hickory, Beech/Maple, Oak and Walnut, among others.

Because it’s reclaimed flooring, there are some exceptions to the color rule, however.  Pioneer Millworks’ Settlers’ Plank lineup (available in Chestnut, mixed hardwoods and oak), offers a more relaxed look with greater color variations, so the finished look will offer a higher color contrast, regardless of the final surface finish.  The same is true for black & tan oak, which has portions of the original black paint already applied to it.  And of course, should you opt for one of Pioneer Millworks’ pre-finished reclaimed options, then the color is finished before it’s installed.  As I came to find out, if you have any questions regarding floor color, Pioneer Millworks is fantastic at helping you understand the coloring and giving you a clear idea of what to expect from the finished product.

Pioneer Millworks’ Reclaimed Walnut Flooring

After finding Pioneer Millworks and reading about the company and their products, picking the specific flooring for me was the easy part.  I love walnut – it’s just an incredibly gorgeous wood.  It has intense grain patterns, varying shades of color and a few knots, all of which give it a remarkable sense of character.  It’s also a wood that’s been highly prized in furniture making since the 1800’s, making it the rarest wood Pioneer Millworks reclaims.

I spoke with Pioneer Millworks, and I decided to finish a total of three rooms with their reclaimed walnut flooring, totaling a little more than 1,000 sq. feet.  Depending on the wood you select, it’s possible you may have a few options to choose from when placing your order.  In my case, I had the option of either 3/4″ solid wood flooring or 5/8″ engineered wood flooring; I had the option of a finished or unfinished surface; and I had the option of medium random width boards (3 – 7 inches) or wide random with boards (7+ inches).  These choices will vary based on the specific flooring you select, but the Pioneer Millworks website details each of the available options for each of the specific flooring species, making it simple to see your choices online.  I opted for unfinished engineered walnut flooring in 3.5 – 6.5 inch random widths.

To be honest, ordering over a 1,000 sq. feet of flooring even after a seeing a sample is a slightly nerve-racking experience.  There are the questions of whether the sample is a true representation of what you’re ordering, whether it will look different when laid out in the room, and so on.  On arrival day, it was packaged tightly on pallets and the sun was setting, so I still couldn’t gauge it’s appearance.  It wasn’t until the next day, when I finally was able to start opening some of the flooring bundles, that I actually got to see it.

If I had to describe my reaction, it was probably one of stunned silence.  The first piece of flooring looked substantially different than the sample.  Whereas the sample pieces bordered more towards a consistent reddish brown color, the first piece from the bundle was more of a purplish hue with swirls of both lighter and coffee colors.  The next piece was again different – this time, a more uniformly coffee color.  Then the next piece came, and it was predominantly purple hued, with intense graining and several knots.  This went on for quite some time – truthfully, I couldn’t help myself.  It was like being on a hike and exploring a trail you’ve never been on before, wanting to go a little further, just to see what’s around the next bend.  Every piece of the flooring was different and unique – I just kept opening more bundles, just to see what intricacies the next piece held.

Was the sample indicative of the flooring?  Not anywhere close.  The actual flooring was a million times more beautiful than I ever anticipated it being.  Whereas the sample led me to expect a certain color and grain pattern, the actual flooring had the most gorgeous array of grain patterns and colors I’ve ever seen, in any flooring, anywhere.  But as beautiful as the pieces were, it wasn’t until the flooring was actually laid that the true beauty of the walnut was revealed.  While the flooring noted a gorgeous array of purplish hues, coffee colors, reddish browns and lighter swirls, once the floor was laid into place, they merge in a way that’s truly indescribable.  The colors, while individually different, blend perfectly once installed, melding together into a surface that retains some color variation yet still is perfectly united.

Then there’s the depth of the wood.  It’s truly difficult to describe, but certain pieces of the walnut flooring exhibit a holographic feel – an almost 3D effect where it feels like you can actually see into the wood.  It’s an effect that has nothing to do with the finish, as it’s present on the unfinished pieces.  Much the way you can see a beautiful piece of art and it feels like you can stare at it for hours, the walnut grain captures the light and creates a sense of depth that’s truly mesmerizing, to the point you just want to stare at it.  Every time I see it, I’m still in awe of its beauty.

From a reclaimed, worn-in standpoint, Pioneer Millworks’ did an incredible job transforming the walnut into a flooring material perfectly at home in virtually any setting, in any style.  Nail holes and slight imperfections remind you of its past, but the overall feel is one of sheer, unadulterated beauty.  It’s elegant if you want it to be, but it’s also a look that would be equally at home in a less than formal setting.  I’ve already said it once, but Pioneer Millworks’ reclaimed walnut has a character unmatched by any wood flooring I’ve ever seen, and in truth, there’s simply no instance where I wouldn’t use it, whether it’s in a traditional home, a sprawling Palm Beach mansion, a contemporary loft, or anything in between.

Lastly, as someone that loves getting his hands dirty (and thus opting to install the flooring myself), I thought I’d comment on the quality of the milling.  Buying reclaimed flooring I wasn’t sure whether there would be more variation in the boards as opposed to traditional flooring, but I came to find the quality was impeccable.  Because it lacks beveling like all of the traditional pre-finished flooring options, any variation in board thickness is more evident, as the pieces are completely flat and butt directly into one another.  But after installing the floor, I can tell you the manufacturing was fantastic, as the floor required only a minute amount of sanding to be perfectly smooth.  Honestly, I could have gotten away without sanding at all, but the flooring finish I applied recommended sanding to ensure proper adhesion.  The finished floor is seamless, and offers a gorgeously smooth surface that’s simply unequalled by any of the pre-finished bevelled products flooding the market.  There’s just no comparison in terms of how much better it looks.

Conclusion

Pioneer Millworks is, in no simpler terms, the company you wished existed for everything you bought.  They’re masters of their craft, transforming something that some would consider useless into an absolutely stunning work of art, and they do it in the most environmentally responsible way possible.  In seeking out wood flooring, I had a clear idea of what I wanted from the beginning, and when I was introduced to Pioneer Millworks, I thought I had found it.  In retrospect, as beautiful as I thought the reclaimed walnut was going to be, the end product is beyond anything I imagined.  There simply is no flooring on the planet that can comes close the beauty and character exuded by that of Pioneer Millworks.  It adds a specialness to your home that I truly can’t describe, and it’s for this reason that I recommend Pioneer Millworks reclaimed flooring to anyone even remotely considering flooring for their home.  It’s simply amazing.

You can learn more about Pioneer Millworks reclaimed walnut flooring along with their full lineup of reclaimed products at their website, PioneerMillworks.com. I’ve also included a gallery below showcasing my own personal Pioneer Millworks walnut wood flooring, along with some extra photos showing what goes into the flooring Pioneer Millworks creates.

Installation Tips

Whether you’re considering installing Pioneer Millworks flooring yourself or having it installed by a professional, I highly recommend purchasing the book A Complete Guide to Layout, Installation & Finishing Wood Flooring by Charles Peterson.  As an installation guide, it’s an invaluable resource, and for those having a pro do the installation, it allows you to ensure the installer is following proper installation procedures.

In my particular case, I initially planned on having a professional install the flooring, but they informed it would be fine to use particleboard as the subfloor.  This is in stark contrast to what both the book and numerous other online installers stated, so I decided not to take any chances the installer would attempt to cut additional corners and instead chose to do it myself.  Whoever you choose to install the flooring, here are some key things to keep in mind.

1) Have a solid, smooth and dry subfloor
If you get the book, you’ll read the same thing, but it’s vital to note again:  when you’re installing Pioneer Millworks flooring, make sure you have a solid, smooth and dry subfloor beneath.  In my case, I had to replace an existing layer of particleboard with a new layer of OSB to create a proper nailing surface.  I then sanded any uneven joints smooth, and lastly, allowed time for the new subfloor to acclimate in the house.  Hardwood flooring doesn’t hide imperfections in the subfloor, so make sure either you or your installer fixes any subfloor problems before installing the actual flooring.

2) Use a vapor retarder
Following the subfloor preparation, the next step is to install a vapor retarder to keep moisture from entering the flooring from below.  While it’s common to use #15 builder’s felt, I used a product from Fortifiber called Aquabar B that’s designed specifically for use under wood flooring.  It’s price is equal to the aforementioned felt, it’s thinner and easier to install, and it’s significantly more effective at keeping moisture out.  While it’s not as readily available as felt, it’s a better, equally priced option that’s worth seeking out.

3) Acclimate the flooring in the room
While Pioneer Millworks flooring is kiln-dried before being shipped to you, it’s still important to allow the flooring to acclimate in the room where it’s going to be installed.  To do so, open all the bundles being installed and stack the flooring in the room in rows perpendicular to one another.  Then, allow the flooring to acclimate for at least 1 week, although 2 weeks is preferable.  This allows the the flooring’s moisture levels to stabilize in your particular environment, minimizing the chances of it excessively expanding or shrinking once it’s been installed.

4) Layout the floor before installation
Once you’re ready to install the flooring, lay out the pieces before nailing them down (a process known as racking the floor), or have your installer do it.  By doing so, it allows you to see the look of the room in a non-final way, meaning that you can move pieces that seem out of place before they’re nailed in.  Racking the floor is especially important with reclaimed flooring that has varying colors, as it ensures you don’t end up with a patch (or patches) of colors in a particular area.

And that’s it.  Whether you’re installing the flooring yourself or having someone else complete the installation, these tips should help ensure a smooth installation and gorgeous finished product.

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Over the past twenty years Baldhead has been in the business of dignifying high-end garages. What began as a humble home improvement project has grown to become the premier brand of metal cabinetry. From the first day of business until now, their mission has been the same: transform garages and workspaces into beautiful, one-of-a-kind destinations.

Their vision of the new garage is truly a sophisticated blend of design and functionality, comfort and durability. Much more than a parking space, a workbench, or a storage area, the new garage may very well be the most inviting room in the house.

This passionate pursuit of the perfect garage comes from Baldhead’s belief in creating spaces that work. This is why every product is crafted to your specific needs. No matter your passion or your style, Baldhead gives you what you need to do what you do best. So whether it’s showcasing your car collection, creating the perfect man cave or simply a place to store tools, golf bags and Christmas decorations, Baldhead will create the space that perfectly suits your needs.

The transformation is a three-step process of design, fabrication, and installation. You begin the process by working with a Baldhead design engineer to create a one of a kind space. The cabinets of your choosing are then manufactured to your exact specifications at Baldhead’s state of the art facility in Bend, Oregon. From CNC laser cutting to precision welding to in-house powder coating, highly trained Baldhead craftsmen perform each phase of fabrication. And for you do-it-yourselfers, the cabinets can be installed with the help of a friend, or, as a part of Baldhead’s commitment to service, their professional install team can deliver and install your cabinets to insure the highest standards of quality.

Every phase of the process is open to your imagination. If you are a hobbyist, a collector, a gear-head or you just want a beautifully organized garage, Baldhead will help you create the destination garage you have always wanted. It is true – there is no place like home, and with Baldhead, there is no place like your garage.

To view more amazing garages by Baldhead Cabinet Company or to get started on your own garage makeover, visit Baldhead at  BaldHeadCabinets.com.

The Making of Baldhead Metal Cabinets from Baldhead Cabinets on Vimeo.