ANTIQUE HEART PINE

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOORS IN HISTORY

No other wood in American history has had a more profound impact than Antique Heart Pine. The Joinery Co. is proud to be able to continue the great tradition of offering wide plank flooring in this unique and historic wood. There’s simply not a higher quality floor you can buy than Antique Heart Pine.

When the first colonists arrived in the New World, they found vast stands of huge Southern Yellow Pines, ready for the taking. These huge old growth pines ranged from 150 to 450 years old. Some of them where up to five feet in diameter and 180 feet tall. They were magnificent. And, their supply appeared to be endless.

Many of these pines were fully mature and therefore consisted predominantly of heartwood. It is because of this unique heartwood that the wood later became known as “Antique Heart Pine”. As the colonists took control of the land, Heart Pine quickly established itself as their “wood of choice”. And, they used it to build virtually everything they required, from fence posts to furniture.

In some cases, an entire house could be built from the heartwood of a single tree. And, because of the unique resins in Heart Pine, it offered tremendous longevity; insects could not eat it and it simply did not rot. It was strong enough for a railroad trestle, yet so beautiful that it inspired fine furniture makers. It was, indeed, the perfect wood.

Heart Pine flooring was the standard of the day, and the example by which all other flooring materials were judged. Beautiful wide, long Heart Pine planks were used for the floors in virtually every home. In the minds of the colonists, the strength, longevity and beauty of Heart Pine simply made it the only choice.

As America began to grow, so did the demand for Heart Pine. And, even today, that demand continues through reclaimed materials.