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An example of a great kitchen design layout.

Best Kitchen Design Layout For You

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An example of a great kitchen design layout.

Published September 24, 2021

For the modern home, a kitchen has become so much more than just a place to prepare food. So whether you’re renovating or building a new home, planning the kitchen design layout can be stressful. 

For one, the ideal kitchen varies for everyone. Besides personal preference, there are a lot of factors that go into planning your kitchen space. Not to mention the thousands of design “inspo” on Pinterest which, sometimes, only adds to the confusion.

This is why most people leave the job to professionals. But if you want to do it DIY, here are some things you need to know about planning the best kitchen design layout for you.

Basic Kitchen Layouts

An example of a good kitchen design.

There might be thousands of kitchen design ideas you can choose from. But when it comes to layout, there are only 6 basic types:

One Wall Kitchen

Perfect for small spaces, this layout has the entire kitchen against a single wall. The storage cabinets hang atop the cooking station and the kitchen sink. 

This technique utilizes storage space without sacrificing functionality. It’s no wonder why it’s very popular in urban areas where space is often quite limited.

Galley Kitchen

If you’re planning to fill your kitchen with lots of cabinets, this layout is perfect for you. 

The galley kitchen layout consists of two rows of cabinets facing each other, creating a passageway between them. Its straightforward design eliminates the need for any special gadgets making it more economical. The large storage space also makes it ideal for larger households or multiple-cook kitchens.

L-Shaped Kitchen

As its name suggests, this layout has cabinets along two perpendicular walls forming a letter “L”. It typically opens to another room (usually the dining room). 

This open-type layout makes it easier for anyone from the kitchen to interact with other people in the house. You can even build a corner shelf or cupboard to maximize space usage.

U-Shaped Kitchen/Horseshoe Layout

This layout is generally regarded as the most versatile of all kitchen layouts. 

It features three walls lined with storage cabinets, kitchen appliances, and other kitchen gadgets. But unlike other layouts in this list, it features countertops with rounded corners. 

The continuous countertops make it easier for the user to access various areas of the kitchen without having to walk across the room, making this layout practical for the elderly or handicapped who can’t continuously walk long distances.

Kitchen With Islands

Adding an island to your kitchen layout creates a dramatic change in the space. In single wall layouts, adding an island augments the counter space. The island also serves many functional purposes aside from being a rather aesthetically pleasing part of your home. 

You can use the island as a plain countertop or even as a kitchen sink. Alternatively, it can incorporate a wine bar, a prep bowl, a dishwasher, and perhaps a stovetop.

Peninsula Kitchen

Also called the G-shaped kitchen, this layout features counter space and storage shelves that surround the cook from three sides. 

To complete the layout, a small island juts from one of the walls. This layout is ideal if you want to maximize your limited area with more counter space.

How To Design A Kitchen Layout?

A woman wondering about something.

Consider Your Kitchen Area

The first thing to do when you’re planning your kitchen layout is to consider your kitchen area. How big is it? How is it shaped? Do you have already existing features that you want to retain? Like those gorgeous vintage cupboards perhaps? Or are you starting with a blank slate? If you’re going to put an island, will you still have space to move about? Should you put the sink right next to the window or away from it?

The answers to these questions will help you plan a layout that will best suit your kitchen area.

Choose A Concept

Part of designing your own kitchen is choosing a concept. This is where those numerous kitchen photos you saved from Pinterest come into use.

If you’re not that fussy, you can skip this part. But having a concept or a theme will give personality to your kitchen. The colors, decorations, and the way everything is put together will determine the ambiance of your kitchen. There’s no rule to follow when choosing a concept for your kitchen. It’s your kitchen after all. So mix and match to your heart’s content. Let your creativity channel through every detail.

Visualize Your Idea

Now that you have an idea for your kitchen layout and concept, it’s time to visualize those ideas. You can go the manual route and draw them on paper or you can use design planning software. There are plenty of them online which you can use for free.

Visualizing your ideas will give you a glimpse of what the final result will look like. This will help you test whether they work overall and iron out the details to wrap up the design.

Hire The Timber Experts For Your Next Project

Vintage & Specialty Wood should be your source of the highest quality timbers from around the world. When it comes to fabricating and installing reclaimed wood or specialty wood products in your home, we don’t cut corners. We offer many reclaimed wood and specialty wood products such as Douglas Fir, white oak, and much more. We also offer timber framing and wood flooring services as well. Contact our team today to speak to a timber expert about what Vintage & Specialty Wood can do for you.

Best Kitchen Design Layout For You

About The Author

is an experienced blogger with a deep passion for content creation. He descends from a long line of lawyers, writers, and educators. Over the years, Chris has tackled all sorts of niches for a myriad of clients. As a result, millions of people worldwide have read and benefited from his content.

construction of roof trusses

The Most Popular Types Of Roof Trusses And Their Uses

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construction of roof trusses

Published Sept. 7, 2022

Constructing buildings requires a lot of work and planning. You can’t simply design a house and get right on to building it. Specific steps must be followed and many safety requirements have to be put into consideration when building different structures. 

In residential buildings, trusses are vital in maintaining the stability of the building’s roof. A lot of different types of roof trusses exist. In this article, we will discuss each one of them.

What Are Roof Trusses?

Before we get into the different types, let’s discuss first what a roof truss is to get a better understanding of its importance. 

A roof truss is defined as an arrangement of beams and other objects to create a sturdy roof structure. The truss acts as the skeletal system of a building’s roof to ensure that it is not too flimsy and is strong enough to withstand intense weather and wind. 

Different roof trusses vary depending on their size and shape. Therefore, it can be hard to distinguish which kind of truss you need. To better understand how the most common roof trusses differ, let’s have an in-depth talk about each of them.

How To Know What Type of Roof Truss Do You Need

a bearded man with a yellow shirt and yellow bonnet hat wearing an eyeglass came up of an idea

Take these factors into consideration when choosing what type of roof truss you’ll build:

  • Shape Of Your Roof

Residential roofs in the U.S primarily come in 3 shapes – gambrel, hip, and gable. Once you are aware of what shape of roof you want, then you’ll be able to tell what kind of trusses you need.

For example, a hip roof will have hip trusses. Meanwhile, a gambrel-style roof is naturally going to have gambrel roof trusses.

  • Type Of Ceiling

Your home’s ceiling can also indicate what kind of roof truss you should utilize.

Vaulted or pitched ceilings on the top floor of your home indicate that you have used scissor trusses. Needless to say, this isn’t always the case since all buildings are erected differently.

  • Attic Space

If you want to have attic space, then it’s best to go for attic trusses. 

After all, it’s this type of roof truss that’s designed for homes to have room beneath the roof for storage, recreation, and a whole array of other different purposes.

Types of Roof Trusses

The Most Popular Types Of Roof Trusses And Their Uses

  • Standard Fink

The standard fink roof truss is the most common type of roof truss that people use in the UK for residential buildings. Such roof trusses are made of materials in a “V” shape. Imagine a zigzag pattern that starts from one side of the roof going to the other that firmly supports the structure. 

Aside from that, you should know that multiple derivatives of the fink roof truss exist. The most common examples of which include double fink and fan roof trusses.

  • Mono

Think of an upside-down letter ‘V’ but split in the middle. These roof truss types are in the shape of a right triangle. 

Mono trusses create multi-level roof lines that constructors use to add roofing to an existing structure. This type of roof truss is usually more affordable than other trusses and is used for sheds, garages, or as extensions of existing roofs. With that said, mono trusses are also being built on new buildings.

  • Raised Tie

Raised Tie trusses are the types to form a slope in one direction only. This roof truss design offers more headroom as it features higher ceiling lines. In addition, it allows you to create a higher ceiling without raising the overall height of the house/building. 

Quite interestingly, raised tie trusses can come in different designs and shapes that you can adjust to match your preferences.

  • Attic

People use attic roof trusses when they want to utilize the roof area of their homes to add space and room. Attics are usually used for storage or as bedrooms. Some individuals also refer to this type of roof truss as the “room in roof” truss because it provides lots of living space.

Attic trusses are becoming more common in households as it is a convenient way of adding more living space without having to go through rearrange your whole building plan.

  • Scissor

The scissor roof truss consists of a sloping ceiling that is shallower and angled towards the outer roof pitch. 

Additionally, the braces of scissor roof trusses resemble the shape of scissors, hence the name. 

Such a structure allows the roof to have more strength giving more flexibility to the design. This roof truss is primarily utilized for buildings that have slightly sloped ceilings. 

  • King Post

A lot of people say that a king post is the simplest kind of roof truss. It utilizes few materials and has an incredibly simple design that’s been used since ancient times. Furthermore, king post roof trusses are incredibly affordable, making them the ideal choice for those on a budget.

Unfortunately though, king post trusses have a limited span. In most instances, they measure 5 to 8 meters, making them unsuitable for large-scale roofing projects.

  • Queen Post

Queen post roof trusses are very similar to king posts. Both have simple designs, use very few materials, and are incredibly cost-effective. With that said, queen post trusts require more materials to make. As a result, they’re typically more expensive than king post trusses.

Another thing that sets queen post trusses apart is their span. You see, they can measure up to 12 meters. Be that as it may, they’re still best suited for residential construction.

  • Hip

As its name alludes, hip trusses are used for creating hipped roofs. For those who don’t know, this style of roofing slopes on all sides, making it resistant to heavy rain and snow.

The one major downside of hip roof trusses is that each one has to be specially engineered to make sure they’ve got the right slope and ridges. Don’t worry as we can do this for you easily.

  • Flat

Flat roof trusses are primarily utilized for commercial buildings. However, they are sometimes used for the construction of homes with flat rooftops. Now with all that said, such roof trusses are incredibly easy to design and construct. However, they aren’t as aesthetically pleasing as other types of roof trusses.

  • Gable

A gable truss is mainly used for residential homes with gable-style roofing. Quite interestingly, they are often used in combination with other kinds of roof trusses.

Depending on their span, gable trusses are usually 20% to 50% more expensive than your average roof truss. This is especially true if you decide to utilize quality reclaimed lumber.

The Bottom Line

Now that we have covered the basics of the general types of roof trusses, hopefully, you could understand the difference between them better. Roof trusses are essential in building homes. For that reason, choosing the right one to utilize for framing your roof is incredibly important.

Knowing which type of truss to use for your home can help make your building plan easier as you will have already covered the basic structure by then. 

After creating a building design and layout, all you have to worry about is the interior and other aesthetics. Building a home or any other structure is a commitment, so make sure you have all the information you need before making any final decisions.

(You might also like: Is A Post Frame Home For You?)

Hire The Timber Experts For Your Next Project

Vintage & Specialty Wood should be your source of the highest quality timbers from around the world. When it comes to fabricating and installing reclaimed wood or specialty wood products in your home, we don’t cut corners. We offer many reclaimed wood and specialty wood products such as Douglas Fir, white oak, and much more. We also offer timber framing and wood flooring services as well. Contact our team today to speak to a timber expert about what Vintage & Specialty Wood can do for you.

The Most Popular Types Of Roof Trusses And Their Uses

About The Author

is an experienced blogger with a deep passion for content creation. He descends from a long line of lawyers, writers, and educators. Over the years, Chris has tackled all sorts of niches for a myriad of clients. As a result, millions of people worldwide have read and benefited from his content.

Is A Post Frame Home For You?

Is a Post Frame Home For You?

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Is A Post Frame Home For You?

Published Sept. 7, 2022

Have you ever asked yourself why post frame homes have seen a surge in popularity in recent years? The answer to that question is incredibly easy!

If you’re into rustic stuff, post-frame homes are spot on in the aesthetics department. Plus, they blend storage and living quarters in one place. So if you’re planning to build one soon, we really cannot blame you.

But before you get overexcited and ask for quotations from all the post-frame contractors in the area, know that a post-frame home is not for everyone. As a matter of fact, down the line, you’ll realize that it’s a lot more work than you originally signed up for.

To know whether a post frame home is worth your time and money, here’s what you need to be aware of about such types of residences.

What Is A Post Frame Home?

Simply put, a post-frame home is a residential building that’s constructed using the post-frame method. Unlike the traditional stick frame construction, post-frame construction uses trusses and large columns or posts that are buried 4 to 6 feet into the ground. This combination of trusses and columns allows for the structural load to be transferred directly to the ground. 

As such, post-frame buildings don’t need load-bearing interior walls. This makes them perfect for buildings that require huge open interior spaces.

Post frame construction was traditionally used for agricultural and storage buildings. However, in recent years, the method has also become popular for residential structures. Hence, many more companies are starting to offer pre-designed and pre-fabricated post frame home kits. With such kits, you’ll be able to erect your post frame home in no time.

Advantages of a Post Frame Home

a bunch of tools and a word Advantages

Below are several reasons why post frame homes are now more popular than ever:

1. Affordable To Build

Yes, we all know that post frame homes make charming abodes. But aside from the aesthetics, they can save you money too.

For one, they are usually built right atop a concrete slab rather than on a foundation. If you’re unaware, slab-on-grade foundations tend to be a lot cheaper than a full basement foundation. 

Though the former isn’t practical if you often experience harsh winters, as ground freezing can lead to cracks in the foundation.

Also, as mentioned, post frame buildings use laminated columns. Its interlocking mechanism allows it to hold greater loads than stick-built construction. As such, you won’t have to spend more on structural materials.

Since the posts and trusses in a post-frame home already create one structural unit, it doesn’t need interior support walls, meaning a lot more savings for you. Plus, the exteriors are usually constructed with steel panels which are pretty low-maintenance.

Building a post frame home is also usually faster than a stick-built one. The savings in labor will naturally reflect on the overall cost of the project.

2. Maximizes Space

Since post-frame homes do not require interior support walls, this leaves lots of large open spaces. It also allows you to have larger openings for doors and windows. 

Therefore, if you plan to have large halls for living rooms, a post-frame home is perfect for you.

3. Greater Interior Design Flexibility

Aside from making your space look bigger, the large open spaces also give you flexibility when it comes to interior design. You can make it look like a rustic barn house to complement the exterior. Alternatively, it is possible to give it a modern farmhouse vibe for contrast’s sake.

But know that this flexibility is a double-edged sword. Most post-frame home contractors only build the shell. So you’ll have to find another contractor for the interiors, or you can also do it yourself if you have the time. Needless to say, whatever route you choose, you will definitely need to spend more.

4. Faster Construction Time

The increasing popularity of post frame homes in the United States has led many companies to produce pre-designed and pre-fabricated structures. Consequently, building a post from home has never been easier and faster than ever before.

Another thing to mention is that just because you opted for a pre-fabricated house doesn’t mean it’ll not be unique. Remember, you can always paint or decorate your home in countless ways to make it stand apart.

5. Energy-Efficient & Low-Maintenance

Post frame homes are eco-friendly because their design makes them inherently superior when it comes to insulation. As a result, you’ll be less dependent on heaters and air conditioners.

Aside from what’s mentioned, post frame home is also much easier to maintain in comparison to stick-built structures. How come? They utilize fewer materials and have a simpler design.

Disadvantages of a Post Frame Home

a man holding a paper and hard hat on its waist with the word Disadvantages on the left side

While there are several pros to opting for post frame homes, there are a few cons too. This includes:

1. Permits Can Be Hard To Secure

Like all other construction projects, you’ll need to secure a permit for your post-frame home. But depending on your location, getting one can be complicated and very confusing.

Every town and county has different rules and requirements when it comes to issuing building permits. However, it ultimately boils down to the intended use and location of the structure.

So before imagining your dream post-frame home, be sure to check with your local building office first. After all, you wouldn’t want to get started only to be halted after by the authorities.

2. Most Banks Won’t Appraise It

Even if you have no plans to sell your home in the immediate future, almost every homeowner is concerned about the market value of their property. This is especially true if you’re anticipating using it as bank collateral at some point, such as when your children finally go off to college.

Unfortunately, most banks and money lending institutions don’t know how to assess the value of post-frame homes. For that reason, you shall most likely have a hard time selling it off or using it as collateral when necessary.

3. Post Frame Homes Don’t Have Footers

Since the columns are buried directly on the ground, post frame construction typically doesn’t use concrete footers. 

As such, there’s always the risk that the concrete slab can move or heave around the edges, especially during winter. 

When this happens, the interior walls may shift too and ruin the drywall finishes.

4. You Won’t Be Able To Have a Basement

Technically, you can still have a basement but it’s not really practical. Since basement walls are typically made from poured concrete, they’re not really suitable for post frame home designs. 

Installing a basement on your post frame home will only end up costing more than traditional home construction.

5. More Land Will Be Necessary

Because of their size, post frame homes are best suited for large plots of land. Sad to say, not everyone has the means to procure the amount of land needed for such a structure.

Should You Opt for a Post-Frame Home?

At the end of the day, the decision of whether to go for a post frame home or stick to traditional home construction methods is entirely up to you. 

In theory, post frame homes are generally cheaper. Nevertheless, this still depends on your home’s design and the place where you’ll put it up. If your area is prone to extreme weather conditions, make sure that your design is strong. Additionally, if you’re planning to mortgage your home, be sure to check with your bank first.

Overall, a post frame home is a great choice if you’re looking for a cheaper home with huge interior spaces. But as with any construction endeavor, be sure to consult a professional.

(You might also like: Barn Wood Wall Ideas For Your Dream Home)

Hire The Timber Experts For Your Next Project

Vintage & Specialty Wood should be your source of the highest quality timbers from around the world. When it comes to fabricating and installing reclaimed wood or specialty wood products in your home, we don’t cut corners. We offer many reclaimed wood and specialty wood products such as Douglas Fir, white oak, and much more. We also offer timber framing and wood flooring services as well. Contact our team today to speak to a timber expert about what Vintage & Specialty Wood can do for you.

Is a Post Frame Home For You?

About The Author

is an experienced blogger with a deep passion for content creation. He descends from a long line of lawyers, writers, and educators. Over the years, Chris has tackled all sorts of niches for a myriad of clients. As a result, millions of people worldwide have read and benefited from his content.

a man choosing the best wood filler for floors

How To Choose The Best Wood Filler For Floors

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best wood filler for floors

Published Aug. 15, 2022

Filling gaps in hardwood floors may seem like a daunting task. To start, you need to find the right wood floor filler. After that, you’ll have to put in the work to fill in the gaps in your hardwood floor.

Luckily, our team here at US Vintage Wood is here to help you out. We’ve created this definitive guide about everything you need to know about wood filler for floors. That way, you won’t be left in the dark regarding the subject and shall get to take action when your hardwood floor needs to get filled in. So without further ado, let’s begin!

What Are Wood Fillers For Floors?

As you probably know, wood is a material that contracts and expands due to many factors. 

In some instances, your hardwood flooring can develop cracks and other kinds of damage. To fix this easily, you can utilize wood fillers.

You see, as their name implies, wood fillers fill in cracks, holes, as well as damage caused by wear and tear. Two main kinds of wood fillers are available – putty and wood. Let’s talk about each one below:

  • Putty Filler

Putty fillers are great for repairing cracks, holes, and splits. However, they’re not suitable if you wish to refinish your floor. How come? Because it’s wetter than wood putty.

On the bright side, due to their properties, putty fillers can handle normal foot traffic. In addition to that, since it doesn’t fully dry, it handles floor expansion and contraction wonderfully.

  • Wood Filler

The properties of wood filler make it best suited for repairing or refurbishing finished hardwood floors. For those wondering why, a wood filler can be sanded and stained after being applied.

Now with that being said, wood filler isn’t as flexible as putty filler. As such, it’s best for you to avoid walking on a newly furbished surface until it is completely dry to avoid any problems.

Where Do You Buy Wood Fillers For Floors?

best wood filler in a hardware store

Any hardware store should offer a decent selection of wood and putty fillers. With that said, you can also opt to purchase wood floor filler from online sources. Needless to say, you’ll have to wait for the product to be shipped to your doorstep, which sometimes can take lots of time.

Which Kind Of Wood Filler Is Better?

It wouldn’t be right to say that putty filler is better than wood filler. The reason for that is that putty fillers are superior at filling gaps in hardwood floors that are old. 

Meanwhile, wood fillers are optimal for making quick repairs to newly-finished floors due to their specific properties.

Putting It All Together

When in doubt as to what kind of filler to use, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experts as we can help you with anything that’s related to wood. Our team does not only specialize in repairs. We also take on projects where we shall take care of everything from design to construction and complete realization of your venture for the cheapest price possible.

(Related: The Best Basement Flooring Materials For Your Next Project)

Hire The Timber Experts For Your Next Project

Vintage & Specialty Wood should be your source of the highest quality timbers from around the world. When it comes to fabricating and installing reclaimed wood or specialty wood products in your home, we don’t cut corners. We offer many reclaimed wood and specialty wood products such as Douglas Fir, white oak, and much more. We also offer timber framing and wood flooring services as well. Contact our team today to speak to a timber expert about what Vintage & Specialty Wood can do for you.

How To Choose The Best Wood Filler For Floors

About The Author

is an experienced blogger with a deep passion for content creation. He descends from a long line of lawyers, writers, and educators. Over the years, Chris has tackled all sorts of niches for a myriad of clients. As a result, millions of people worldwide have read and benefited from his content.

a man installing a basement floor for his project

The Best Basement Flooring Materials For Your Next Project

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a man installing a basement floor for his project

Published Aug. 15, 2022

In the United States, basements have become a widespread way of expanding a home’s living space. Moreover, they’ve also become an essential component of every house in states in the Tornado Alley or Florida, Texas, and Louisiana, where strong hurricanes frequently pass over.

Because they’re built underground, a lot of basements are dark, cold, and damp. In addition to that, they’re prone to flooding.

Flooring is a central factor that affects the overall look and feel of a basement. However, not just any material will do. You will need to pick out the flooring based on the space you have. In this guide, we shall discuss everything about the best available flooring options for your basement.

How To Select Basement Flooring?

best-basement-flooring-materials-for-next-project (2)

You will want to consider what kind of basement you want before even settling on what flooring to get. Is it going to become a family room, a home gym, an office space, or a man cave? 

Alternatively, you may want your basement to simply serve as a place for storage. In any case, what you plan to get done in your basement will define how its flooring should be.

Here are the key factors to consider when selecting basement flooring:

  • Softness
  • Floor warmth
  • Basement dampness or moistness
  • The likeliness of water intrusion or flooding
  • Sub-flooring
  • Levelness of flooring
  • Budget

Some flooring options will fair better in one environment and be completely unsuitable for another. How it fairs shall definitely depend on the homeowner’s preference and priority. 

Five Of The Best Materials For Basement Flooring

best-basement-flooring-materials-for-next-project (3)

Luxury Vinyl Tile/Planks

Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) or planks are a new kind of basement flooring. What makes them special is the fact that they can be made to look like almost any kind of material like wood or stone. On top of that, they’re waterproof, and therefore, very well-suited for basements and similar areas.

Despite its namesake, LVT isn’t installed like ordinary vinyl flooring. You shouldn’t glue it down but rather float it atop a concrete slab. With that said, if you plan on installing LVT on concrete basement flooring with moisture issues, then you’d want to install a vapor barrier in between first.

How come? Although the planks themselves are completely waterproof, the cork underlining that comes with them isn’t. Because of that, it’s prone to get damaged by excessive mold.

Pros:

  • Extremely durable and waterproof material.
  • Resembles stone or wood without their associated moisture issues.
  • Can be somewhat warm because of its thickness.
  • Very affordable and easy to install.

Cons:

  • If installed over an uneven sub-floor, it can be slightly springy underfoot.
  • Costs more than sheet vinyl, but it has more of a premium look to it.
  • Not as waterproof as sheet vinyl due to seams in between the planks or tiles.

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are one of the most favored materials for basement flooring. The reason why is because they’re incredibly durable and long-lasting. Also, they are not prone to moisture damage, easily making them among the best waterproof basement flooring materials.

What’s great about tiled basement flooring is that you’ve got limitless options. After all, there are countless designs and ways to lay out tiles on your floor.

Besides that, ceramic tile flooring can be both affordable and expensive. The price you’ll need to pay to get a project done can vary greatly based on your contractor and the overall cost of the tiles you’re using. That said, regardless of the price, we believe that tiled flooring is worth it.

Pros:

  • Permanent, long-lasting.
  • Incredibly durable.
  • Increases the value of your property.
  • Dries out and will be undamaged after flooding.
  • Laying out tiles can be done by yourself.

Cons:

  • It tends to be cold underfoot and may require using rugs or underfoot heating.
  • Poor sound absorption.
  • Large-scale tiling can be quite expensive.
  • Has a surface, which can be difficult on your feet.

Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered wood flooring (EWF) provides the warmth and elegance of wood floors without all the moisture issues. Since you cannot install solid hardwood floors as basement flooring, engineered wood flooring can act as an alternative that holds up against moisture.

Due to its structure, EWF fairs much better against moisture and humidity, to which most other hardwood may succumb. Engineered hardwood floors are dimensionally-stable, as they’re designed in perpendicular layers to eliminate the chances of expansion and warping. 

You may either glue this flooring down or have it floated on concrete sub-floors. In this case, it’s also crucial to have a smooth and level surface to ensure that planks remain even and the floor is not bouncy so you won’t run into any post-installation issues.

Pros:

  • Fairs well against limited amounts of moisture.
  • One of the classiest and most attractive basement flooring options.
  • Excellent sound absorption.
  • Warmer underfoot than tiles.

Cons:

  • One of the more expensive basement flooring options.
  • It will likely require more intensive and careful floor preparations.
  • Not entirely waterproof.
  • Difficult to remove in case of water damage or flooding.

Painted/Stained Concrete

One of the best ways to treat your concrete sub-floors can be not to cover them with flooring at all. Contrary to popular opinion, concrete does not have to be as plain and boring as you think. 

Instead, treating them with a splash of paint or stain can impart some character and luxury to them. Concrete flooring can be as neutral or outrageous in coloration as you like.

The minimalist vibe of concrete flooring might create an unwanted contrast with the rest of your home. While it might seem straightforward, surface treatment will be labor-intensive before you can paint and stain it. Due to that, costs for installing a painted concrete floor can be quite high.

Pros:

  • The most robust flooring option against moisture
  • Likely the least expensive, requiring the least amount of materials
  • Does not require sub-floors
  • You can be as creative as you want with them.

Cons:

  • The coldest option among all flooring materials
  • Hard surface underfoot
  • Poor sound absorption and quality in general

Rubber Tiles & Sheets

Rubber flooring is reminiscent of playrooms or gyms. Installation is very DIY-friendly, as these rubber tiles are readily available in most hardware stores. 

I’d have to say this flooring is most viable when if you want to turn your basement into a gym, laundry room, or a kid’s playroom. Because they come in a myriad of different colors and designs, you have got the freedom to be as creative as you want to be, which is great. 

Pros:

  • Offers excellent levels of insulation.
  • Has a soft surface that’s comfy to step on.
  • Fairs well against moisture.
  • Easy to install and remove.
  • Great sound absorption.

Cons:

  • Aesthetically is not the best type of basement flooring.
  • Not completely waterproof.
  • They can be heavy, contributing a large amount to shipping costs.

The Bottom Line

So what’s the best flooring for basements? The answer to that question generally depends on your specific needs as a homeowner. Again, what are you going to use your basement for? If anything, this is the most important question that you should be asking yourself when you are selecting what kind of basement flooring to get.

With that said, a good basement floor is durable and waterproof. It should be easy to clean and have the ability to last for years without needing any sort of aftercare. More importantly, the type of basement flooring that you choose should be within the parameters of your spending budget.

(Related: Rosewood Flooring: Is It For You?)

Hire The Timber Experts For Your Next Project

Vintage & Specialty Wood should be your source of the highest quality timbers from around the world. When it comes to fabricating and installing reclaimed wood or specialty wood products in your home, we don’t cut corners. We offer many reclaimed wood and specialty wood products such as Douglas Fir, white oak, and much more. We also offer timber framing and wood flooring services as well. Contact our team today to speak to a timber expert about what Vintage & Specialty Wood can do for you.

Judy Ponio is a professional writer for Vintage & Specialty Wood, Inc

About The Author

is a professional writer and SEO specialist. She works hard to ensure her work uses accurate facts by cross checking reputable sources. She is the lead author for several prominent websites covering a variety of topics including law, health, nutrition, and more.

Spilled acrylic paint on wood.

How to Remove Acrylic Paint From Wood

Spilled acrylic paint on wood.

Published on August 2, 2022

Wood and acrylic paint go hand in hand. The former makes an excellent medium for the latter. It is for that reason that many painters choose to use wooden palettes with acrylic pain. Also, it is also why pieces of wooden furniture, decorations, and other items are painted with acrylic paint.

Have you asked yourself, how to remove acrylic paint from wood?

You’ve got three basic methods to choose from to rid wood of acrylic paint that’s coating it. In this guide, I’ll tell you all about these methods and what you should do if ever they don’t work.

Tips Before Starting

In order to avoid damaging your wooden surface and to make sure you’re safe, we recommend reading the tips below. How come? Applying them will help greatly with your endeavors:

  1. Keep any detergents out of the reach of children or pets.
  2. Upon finishing, air out the room by opening the windows.
  3. Apply a safety test before starting with any of the three methods we recommend.
  4. Make adjustments accordingly depending on the wood you’re working with.
  5. Wear safety equipment such as cleaning gloves and even goggles.

Remember that safety should be your utmost priority before starting any type of DIY project at home. Suffice to say, it’s only the responsible thing to follow the tips mentioned above.

Effortless Ways To Remove Acrylic Paint From Wood

Acrylic paints and paintbrushes.

As mentioned, you can easily remove acrylic paint from wood in three ways:

  • Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is your best friend when it comes to removing dry acrylic paint from wooden surfaces. It’s a substance that should get the job done in most situations.

Follow these steps to eliminate acrylic paint from wood using rubbing alcohol:

  1. First, you’ll need gently scrape the paint with a paint scraper.
  2. Gently rub what remains of the acrylic paint using a pad of steel wool.
  3. Pour rubbing alcohol onto a cloth and then apply some onto the stain.
  4. Rub the stain continuously for several minutes.
  5. If any paint transfers to the cloth you’re wiping with, change it.
  6. Rub the stain to remove any remaining alcohol using a cloth moistened with water.
  7. Following that, wipe everything dry.
  8. Repeat the process if you’re not satisfied with the results.

The one drawback to this method is that it’ll leave your wooden surface smelling like alcohol. Of course, that smell will go away once you repaint or apply varnish or any sort of other treatment.

  • Olive Oil

A great and better-smelling natural alternative to rubbing alcohol is olive oil. However, it isn’t as effective as the former so you should treat it as an intro to the prior method if it doesn’t work.

Here’s how to remove rid wood of from acrylic paint using olive oil:

  1. Apply the right amount of olive oil to the wooden surface to soften the paint.
  2. Cover the applied area with a piece of cloth.
  3. Leave that piece of cloth alone for a minimum of one hour.
  4. Try to scrape the acrylic paint with a paint scraper or knife.
  5. Repeat all the steps or move on to the prior method if results don’t appear.

My experience with removing acrylic paint from wood using olive oil has been decent. While the chances of success were lower, I’d still have to say that the method is still worth giving a shot.

  • Soap & Wate

You’re best off using soap and water to remove acrylic paint that’s just been applied. However, it hasn’t been unheard of for some people to fully get rid of dried acrylic with this method.

Below are the steps necessary to remove acrylic paint from wood with soap and water:

  1. Wipe the surface with a cloth that’s soaked in soap and water.
  2. If that piece of cloth gets saturated with paint, switch to another one.
  3. Scrub gently until all the paint is gone.
  4. Dry the surface with an unmoistened piece of cloth.

Now for completely dried surfaces, you’ve got to scrape away the paint after step #4. If ever you don’t get satisfactory results, switch to the other methods that we talked about.

What If I Don’t Get Results?

People asking questions.

In some instances, dried acrylic paint removal on any surface can be next to impossible.

Fortunately, you can resort to heavy-duty measures to finally get the job done. For example, you can gently use an electric sander. 

Alternatively, you can utilize paint thinners to make the acrylic paint softer, and therefore, easier to remove. However, the downside to such solvents is that it is easy to harm yourself with them due to their potency.

Last of all, you can attempt to get rid of as much paint from your wooden surface as possible. If there are still stains that remain, simply paint over them. 

Apply several coats to even everything out. Finally, make sure the paint you’re using is suitable for the wooden surface you have got.

Putting It All Together

Acrylic paint can be very tough to eliminate from wooden surfaces. However, with a little effort and know-how, it’s possible to get the job done. Furthermore, you don’t need to invest in any expensive materials. The only things you’ll need are common household and kitchen items.

Sadly though, there are some acrylic paint stains that can’t be removed without the help of paint thinners and mechanical sanders. However, if you don’t want to deal with such things, you have always got the option to simply paint over your wooden surface that still has some acrylic paint.

(Related: How To Clean a Sticky Wooden Table?)

Hire The Timber Experts For Your Next Project

Vintage & Specialty Wood should be your source of the highest quality timbers from around the world. When it comes to fabricating and installing reclaimed wood or specialty wood products in your home, we don’t cut corners. We offer many reclaimed wood and specialty wood products such as Douglas Fir, white oak, and much more. We also offer timber framing and wood flooring services as well. Contact our team today to speak to a timber expert about what Vintage & Specialty Wood can do for you.

How to Remove Acrylic Paint From Wood

About The Author

is an experienced blogger with a deep passion for content creation. He descends from a long line of lawyers, writers, and educators. Over the years, Chris has tackled all sorts of niches for a myriad of clients. As a result, millions of people worldwide have read and benefited from his content.

An example of a rosewood flooring.

Rosewood Flooring: Is It For You?

An example of a rosewood flooring.

Published on August 2, 2022

Rosewood is arguably one of the best types of hardwood flooring available. It is well-suited for both contemporary and rustic style projects. Furthermore, Rosewood is beautiful. It comes in various shades of brown that slowly turn darker and more reddish over the course of time.

Another thing to know is that Rosewood is among the hardest kinds of hardwood flooring that is available. Hence, it shall last decades or even centuries before needing major repairs.

Last but not least, rosewood flooring is quite affordable. Why? Because the Rosewood Tree is fast-growing and in plentiful supply. One downside though is that it doesn’t grow locally as it’s native to the savannahs and dry rainforests of South American countries like Peru and Brazil.

Rosewood Flooring Characteristics

A red-stained rosewood flooring.

It is commonplace for residential and commercial establishments to utilize Rosewood flooring as it’s durable, affordable, and aesthetically pleasing. Rosewood beams are typically 1/2″ to 3/4″ thick and 3″ to 5″ wide. When it comes to length, it is possible to go all the way to 7” feet.

The color of Rosewood varies greatly. Younger trees produce amber or pale brown heartwood before it’s exposed to light. The wood’s photosensitivity will then shift its color to a deep and dark reddish-brown with near-black streaks. However, these streaks will lighten over time.

As mentioned earlier, Rosewood is among the hardest types of hardwood flooring that you can get. Due to that, the wood is extremely durable and is not susceptible to rot or warping as a result of expansion and contraction because of sudden drastic changes in temperature.

Rosewood has interlocked or irregular graining. The wood is very lustrous and is often finished to a semi-gloss to a satin sheen. Meanwhile, it boasts a fine texture that’s very uniform. Nevertheless, Rosewood is almost always smoothened so the beams will match.

Rosewood Flooring Specifications

A rosewood flooring with different textures.

Here are some of the must-know specifications of Rosewood flooring:

  • Density (KG/m3): 1,020
  • Radial Shrinkage: 4.8%
  • Stiffness (MOE): 2,730 1000 psi
  • Strength (MOR): 23,730 psi
  • Radial Shrinkage: 4.8 %
  • Janka Hardness: 3,840 pounds

Another thing to know is that Rosewood grows in much of South America. It has many uses and is not exclusively harvested for its lumber. The scientific name for Rosewood is Anadenanthera colubrina. However, it’s also commonly known as Patagonian Rosewood, curupau, or curupay.

Summing It Up

Rosewood is easily one of the best kinds of hardwood flooring on the market. It’s not expensive, is very durable, and it looks great. However is it the right type of flooring for you?

We recommend that you opt for Rosewood flooring if you’ve got a large space. 

Why? Because Rosewood flooring is dark and dark hardwood flooring is best suited for larger rooms as it shall make smaller spaces seem even smaller. Also, you should keep in mind that dark hardwood flooring tends to get that “dirty” look more easily than their lighter counterparts.

At any rate, if you’ve got any projects involving Rosewood in mind, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. 

We can help you get these projects done from start to finish in no time. Moreover, by choosing us, you shall be saving a lot as we try to keep our prices as competitive as we can.

Related: The Top 10 Timeless Wood Floor Colors)

Hire The Timber Experts For Your Next Project

Vintage & Specialty Wood should be your source of the highest quality timbers from around the world. When it comes to fabricating and installing reclaimed wood or specialty wood products in your home, we don’t cut corners. We offer many reclaimed wood and specialty wood products such as Douglas Fir, white oak, and much more. We also offer timber framing and wood flooring services as well. Contact our team today to speak to a timber expert about what Vintage & Specialty Wood can do for you.

Rosewood Flooring: Is It For You?

About The Author

is an experienced blogger with a deep passion for content creation. He descends from a long line of lawyers, writers, and educators. Over the years, Chris has tackled all sorts of niches for a myriad of clients. As a result, millions of people worldwide have read and benefited from his content.

A wooden fence.

How Long Do Wood Fences Last?

A wooden fence.

Published on July 19, 2022

Wood is the top material of choice for fences around the globe. The reason why is because it is affordable, good-looking, and quite durable. Also, wood is a very easy material to work with.

So how long do wood fences last? 

The answer to that question is roughly fifteen to twenty years, depending on the type of wood you used. In addition, the level of maintenance you give your fence also comes into play.

Read this one-stop article. It will teach you everything about the longevity of wood fences. That way, you’ll know exactly how to maximize your fence’s lifespan by properly taking care of it.

Wood Fence Life Expectancy

The quality of the wood you use for your fence will naturally affect its lifespan. The majority of wood fences nowadays are built out of Douglas Fir, Cedar, or Redwood because of their durability and resistance to pests. Often, the posts on the fence are pressure-treated.

What are pressure-treated posts more sought after? Because they last longer because they are not likely to fall victim to wood-eating pests such as termites.

Sad to say, the lumber used for fencing nowadays isn’t as good as it used to be. The reason for that is because most lumber used to come from old-growth trees which have wood that is more durable than newer trees.

You see, younger trees always produce softer wood, and therefore are a lot more prone to decay. Furthermore, it’s less stable and susceptible to rot as well as pests even when treated.

Unfortunately, it’s getting harder and harder to source more durable old-growth wooden panels as lumber from the remaining old-growth forests is often exported. Luckily though, our team at US Vintage Wood maintains a good source of several types of legit durable old-growth lumber.

Maintaining A Wood Fence

A wooden fence under construction.

Your wood fence’s lifespan is only as long as how well it’s maintained. As such, it is essential that you keep the fence surrounding your home in pristine condition at all times.

Here are the basics on how to maintain wood fences:

  • Routinely Inspect Your Wood Fence

It’s good practice to check on your wooden fence from time to time. Search for any kind of rot or damage. When necessary, replace some of the boards, tighten screws, and hammer in nails. In addition, look at each section of your fence and see if they are properly connected and secured to the ground.

  • Watch Out For Pests

Termites aren’t the only thing you should watch out for. Other types of bugs and fungi can cause permanent damage to your wooden fence. Because of that, you should always be on the lookout for any wood rot as that’s a clear sign of a pest infestation on your fence.

  • Do General Cleaning Every 3-5 Years

We recommend that you conduct general cleaning on your wood fence every three to five years to make sure it remains in good shape. Scrape out any moss or mildew that you see. 

On top of that, mix 20% bleach with 80% mild detergent then spray the solution on your fence. Following that, you can proceed with washing it with soap and water.

Putting It All Together

Your wood fence can last quite a long time given that it’s maintained properly. However, fence maintenance isn’t something that everyone has time for. Luckily, we’re here to provide our services. Our team can inspect, clean, repair, and even build a new wood fence for you.

If ever need help with anything regarding wood, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Our team is here to help you every step of the way. Trust us when we say that we can help you achieve whatever project you’ve got in mind without spending too much or going through the hassles of designing and construction. Leave it up to us and we’ll get the job done.

Hire The Timber Experts For Your Next Project

Vintage & Specialty Wood should be your source of the highest quality timbers from around the world. When it comes to fabricating and installing reclaimed wood or specialty wood products in your home, we don’t cut corners. We offer many reclaimed wood and specialty wood products such as Douglas Fir, white oak, and much more. We also offer timber framing and wood flooring services as well. Contact our team today to speak to a timber expert about what Vintage & Specialty Wood can do for you.

How Long Do Wood Fences Last?

About The Author

is an experienced blogger with a deep passion for content creation. He descends from a long line of lawyers, writers, and educators. Over the years, Chris has tackled all sorts of niches for a myriad of clients. As a result, millions of people worldwide have read and benefited from his content.

A barn wood home.

Barn Wood Wall Ideas For Your Dream Home

A barn wood home.

Published on July 12, 2022

Barn wood is an excellent material. Although it may initially seem old and useless, it’s actually capable of accentuating both the interiors and exteriors of homes. How so? By introducing the natural rustic vibe of the outdoors to your home.

Another thing to know is that barn wood is very affordable. Moreover, it’s incredibly easy to work with. In fact, it is rather common for us to finish barn wood projects within less than a week.

The Top Barn Wood Wall Ideas

A barn wood wall.

The first thing you’d want to do is lay out your barn wood wall panels so that you can plan them out accordingly. Barn wood tends to have a lot of patina, and each panel is different. 

Because of that, you’ve got to ensure that everything matches when building your wall.

Examples of barn wood wall ideas.

Your next move should be to locate your barn wood’s studs. Anyone who does not have a stud finder can do this by measuring their panels from their corners. Usually, studs are 16’ apart while some are 24’ or even further apart. It all depends on the panel you’re working on.

Following that, you should tap a nail into the said stud that you’ve found for confirmation. Do the process once more for every panel. To make things easier, make several vertical marks along 

the stud with chalk to differentiate panels to simplify installation and eliminate any confusion.

When installing the panels, you can start from top to bottom or vice versa. 

Our team recommends working from the bottom upwards. How come? Because gravity shall be on your side and make getting the job done so much faster and easier.

With that said, those with uneven ceiling floors have to work from the top down. Doing so will let you overcome any discrepancies that your baseboard has. 

However, working from the top down requires a helper as you will need someone to hold the boards until they’re appropriately secured.

Accent walls that aren’t extremely wide don’t necessitate the cutting of your barn wood. Despite that, you may still want to cut your boards since cut boards introduce better aesthetics. In any case, any barn wood wall project will still require you to cut wood. You may do this with your old-school saw. However, those who want to finish quicker can resort to using power tools.

Last but not least, you shouldn’t forget about safety. Any construction project has its set of dangers, and placing barn wood walls is no different. When working, you should always wear safety goggles. Alternatively, you could also wear a mask to avoid breathing in dust and debris.

Examples of barn wood wall ideas.
Neutral-themed barn wood wall ideas.
Three distinct examples of barn wood wall ideas.

The Bottom Line

If you wish to see more of our finished barn wood projects, you can click here and here. Now, if you’re still skeptical, you can learn more about the services we offer. 

Once you have decided what you want, it’s best that you get in touch with our team so that we can make your dream project come true. Remember that we’re here for you 24/7 and ready to take on anything you throw at us.

(Related: The 5 Best Drywall Alternatives To Use in 2022)

Hire The Timber Experts For Your Next Project

Vintage & Specialty Wood should be your source of the highest quality timbers from around the world. When it comes to fabricating and installing reclaimed wood or specialty wood products in your home, we don’t cut corners. We offer many reclaimed wood and specialty wood products such as Douglas Fir, white oak, and much more. We also offer timber framing and wood flooring services as well. Contact our team today to speak to a timber expert about what Vintage & Specialty Wood can do for you.

Barn Wood Wall Ideas For Your Dream Home

About The Author

is an experienced blogger with a deep passion for content creation. He descends from a long line of lawyers, writers, and educators. Over the years, Chris has tackled all sorts of niches for a myriad of clients. As a result, millions of people worldwide have read and benefited from his content.

A wall made of hand-hewn beams.

What Are Hand-Hewn Beams?

A wall made of hand-hewn beams.

Published on July 5, 2022

Hand-hewn beams are hand-cut beams of reclaimed wood. Craftsmen use a special tool called an “Adze” to shape round logs into square beams one at a time. Because of that, every beam has a unique cut mark’s look all depends on the hewing technique of the person making the beam. With that being said, hewing is not an easy thing to do and it takes years to master.

Oak is always the wood that’s used for hand-hewn beams. The difference in the color of certain beams can be due to surface treatments such as sanding and finishes applied on the wood. 

It’s common to find hand-hewn beams sold in the following dimensions:

  • 6 x 6
  • 8 x 8
  • 10 x 10
  • 12 x 12

Meanwhile, hand-hewn beams can range from 4 to 36 feet in length. Therefore, it’s safe to say that they’re quite versatile and have many applications. To know more, read the section below.

Hand-Hewn Beam Applications

Examples of hand-hewn beams.

Hand-hewn beams have a very rustic look that can make any home look inviting. You may make use of them for everything from porch columns to wall panels. 

Furthermore, they are also a great material for interior beams. With that said, because every hand-hewn beam is different, each of the pieces that you’ll use will be hand-picked so they’ll match.

Putting It All Together

There’s nothing quite like the rustic vibe that hand-hewn beams provide. With them as a building material, it’s certain that whatever structure you’re creating will look wonderful.

Unfortunately, hewing reclaimed oak wood is a process that requires a lot of manual labor along with years of experience. For that reason, hand-hewn beams are more expensive than other types of reclaimed woods. Nevertheless, we believe that every beam is worth every penny.

Now with all that being said, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have got any hand-hewn or any other wood projects you have in mind. Our team has got your back and is there to realize them.

(Related: 8 Reclaimed Wood Table Ideas For Your Next DIY Project)

Hire The Timber Experts For Your Next Project

Vintage & Specialty Wood should be your source of the highest quality timbers from around the world. When it comes to fabricating and installing reclaimed wood or specialty wood products in your home, we don’t cut corners. We offer many reclaimed wood and specialty wood products such as Douglas Fir, white oak, and much more. We also offer timber framing and wood flooring services as well. Contact our team today to speak to a timber expert about what Vintage & Specialty Wood can do for you.

What Are Hand-Hewn Beams?

About The Author

is an experienced blogger with a deep passion for content creation. He descends from a long line of lawyers, writers, and educators. Over the years, Chris has tackled all sorts of niches for a myriad of clients. As a result, millions of people worldwide have read and benefited from his content.

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