Pine Flooring - Charming and Inviting
Pine Flooring Grain Effects and Extras
Pine flooring is quite light in color with an array of hues ranging from cream to a pale reddish-brown. The grain is typically non-permeable and has a very straight appearance. A number of different saw techniques can be used to alter the grain.Pine floors can have the following grain effects:
- Select - this type of grain blends an arching grain pattern and a vertical grain pattern. This is done by plain-sawing flat through a pine log
- Vertical - this type of grain is described as being "pinstriped." The pattern is attained by quarter-sawing along the full length of a pine board.
- Curly - this type of grain is not often seen. Naturally occurring, this incandescent burled grain only ever emerges once out every 400 logs.
Pine Flooring Extras Including Finishes
Other attributes of this lovely wood include its quick drying ability. Why is this important? Well because the wood dries quickly its dimensional movements are less extreme and this is less chance of the wood checking. Pine also has the benefit of being quite light - although this bares no reflection on its strength or resilience.
Pine flooring boards are also a pleasure to work with and it is not often that you will find a piece that presents a machine any problems. For all intense and purpose the wood shapes without effort, turns easily and planes well. On top of all this it responds well to other complementary products such as wood adhesives and glues, it holds screws, staples and nails firmly and supports a good overall finish.
It is possible to give your pine floors a number of finishes; whether it is to restore an existing floor or to give it a unique new look. For an authentic 19 Century look a finish known as Shellac can be used. This finish imparts a warm hue to the floor, which partially extends from its natural orange color. Unfortunately, even though it is a beautiful finish, it will not stand up to moisture and is easily stained. Mineral spirit is the alternative to water when cleaning.
In times gone by, pine flooring was coated in varnish. It created a fantastic sheen, but one of the biggest problems encountered with this finish was the length of time that it took to dry. There are 3 separate types: spar varnish (high gloss), tung oil (semi-gloss) and satin tung oil (low-gloss.) This finish can also only be cleaned with a mineral spirit.
Polyurethanes are related to varnishes - as both are derived from resins. Although polyurethanes extend form synthetic resins that have had drying agents applied. Water-borne polyurethane can be applied to heart-pine on top of an oil sealer in small coats to create an effect that resembles a natural oil finish.
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