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Buyer Beware
What you may not want
to buy
...
and other conflicting information, you may not want to know about?
"No education comes without effort and frustration
... not of the 'knowing' but, of the grappling with conflicting information."
These Links are all on
this page: (below)
Price is King
Lumber Yard Pine
Prefinished Pine
Traditional White
Pine and Yellow Pine
Wide Plank Pine
over 12"
River Salvage: Waterlogs, Deadheads, Beachcomber Pine
Barnboard Pine
Wall Board 'Pine'
Imported Woods
Hardwood

Experience "The JOY of a Job Well Done".
Do-it-Yourselfer: Roger in Ayr, Ontario
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Why RED Pine?
New Knotty
Pine Flooring ... Red Pine Flooring ... enhances classic decor
styles, from Antiques to Stainless.
Red Pine has reddish knots and a more
rhythmic grain than White Pine but, more importantly, with a
rating of ~1575 (J) on the
Janka Hardness
Rating Scale (J) For Wood Flooring Species.
Northern Ontario Red Pine is approximately four times (~ 4X) more dense
and harder than Northern or Eastern White Pine(s) which has a rating of
~380 (J).
If you desire Investment Grade flooring that appreciates
in value and is both beautiful and livable, you may be well advised — in my
biased and knowledgeable opinion — to be aware of products I do NOT
recommend....
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"Price
is King" ... When "Price-is-King", you
may be shopping for short-term gain ... be cautious about Wide Plank flooring
material (of any kind) that is of mixed species and/or inconsistent
widths. Substandard Grades, Air Dried, V-Joint (top edges), and 'unpredictable
storage', etc. as these are just a few items "you will eventually pay for"
with regret.
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When "Price-is-King", you may be shopping for short-term gain ... be cautious
about Wide Plank flooring material (of any kind) that is of mixed species
and/or inconsistent widths. Substandard Grades, Air Dried, V-Joint (top
edges), and 'unpredictable storage', etc. as these are just a few items "you
will eventually pay for" with regret.
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Substandard materials will cause "a problem floor" in an otherwise valuable
property ... 'substandard' products are sold everywhere by 'trusted'
Commodity-Oriented Resellers. For example, walk into a "Big Box" store
and locate "Canada Grade "A"-Select 2"X4" Spruce lumber and 'experience'
disappointment and disbelief that such substandard product can be STAMPED with
a "Mill Rating" of Canada: Grade "A"-Select.
It is sloppiness in sourcing and retailing, plain and simple.
Price is King.
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Now, try buying Northern Ontario Wideplank Red Pine from these same
Commodity-Oriented Retainers and you will have to by 1,000 lf. at a time —
regardless of the quality — even if you are short one board to complete your
project.
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My internationally recognized "Mill-Direct" Premium Knotty Red Pine beats them
all, 'hands-down' on quality and consistency. I also offer increasing levels
of Value-Added Products in my "Merchant", "Select" and "Premium" Qualities to
suite your particular requirements.
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X-Link (sister page):
compare.
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"Lumber
Yard Pine"
.... Common lumber retailers know that
"Price is King" ... lumber sold by them for flooring is just another
commodity, period.
Flooring lumber is not treated as a
climate-sensitive building component and is generally sold Air Dried to ~ 14%
and stored in damp, cold outdoor sheds. Or worse, supposedly Kiln-Dried to 6%
which is too dry and causes 'expansion' to become unstable and rise —
buckling — in our generally humid climate. 6% humidity is only used for
furniture components and even then, only for 'floating' door panels. In
addition, retailers are not at all knowledgeable when it comes to
understanding the vast differences between
Eastern White Pine
Flooring, New Brunswick Red Pine and Northern Ontario Red Pine
Flooring product.
Northern Ontario WidePlank is the unique
product of its harsh environment ... at thirty-two (32) growth rings per inch
(slow growth) of thickness, it is hardy and durable ... retailers, generally,
buy on price alone and do not care to know the difference. Sustainable
Forest and Harvesting Consistency is not usually of any consideration because
Price is King.
Notable Quotes
"Our multi-million dollar kilning and milling
operation has been in my family for generations (since 1901) and I have not
seen anything
like what you (Jesse Lance)
do with Red Pine ... I refer 'to what you guys are doing in Canada' to my
international customers in England, Sweden, Japan and China .... It is my
pleasure to supply your high quality specifications. Isn't our 12"
spectacular?"
Note: My Red Pine supplier uses
Northern Ontario Red Pine exclusively (as I do) and is 'world-renowned' for
Kiln-Drying Red Pine to 8–10% without 'Chaffing' and is a able to top the
'quality' of Swedish Red Pine in Sweden. ... that is a major feat.
(Suppliers, like those supplying
Pineflooring.ca, exhibit Canadian product and ingenuity, proven over time..)
"Being a carpenter by trade, I long ago knew
about the hardness and durability of red pine."
* Note: You can 'prove' Kiln-Dried lumber simply by looking for
bluish 'gum' at the end of an uncut length of kiln-dried lumber ... unlike
'weathered wood', this bluish gum is, in fact, Kiln-Pitch (Gum
forced out of wood by 'baking' in a kiln for seven (7) to ten (10) days
depending on the species). Secondly; the presence of Kiln-Pitch does not
guarantee proper Kiln
Dried lumber for flooring use
as most common lumber retailers store the wood outdoors in damp and cold
sheds, as mentioned, and the wood simply retreats to "Air-Dried", or worse, it
expands naturally beyond 14% humidity while in improper storage conditions.
So, are retailers not being truthful when they insist their product is
Kiln-Dried?
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Wide plank flooring lumber must be winter cut, shipped, air dried (two years)
then kiln-dried (~8–10%), milled, stored, handled, installed, and finished in
a knowledgeable fashion ... "a quality-controlled environment".
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Retail lumber yards "break every rule in the book" ... not because they are
'dishonest' but, because they are not attuned to climate-sensitive flooring
product, storage or handling. You may well end up with a 'problem floor'
and the retailer will
'rightly' deny all responsibility for "whatever you did
with the lumber after you accepted delivery".
But, we 'feel' for suppliers of all calibre because, Pineflooring.ca
has also been 'questioned' ... in cases where
DIY knowledge and skill are innocently lacking. For instance, it is incorrect
to say that 'gaps' are caused by shrinkage (upon delivery and immediate
installation) because that is not the case as the wood I supply has been
properly kiln dried, held in controlled storage and delivered to the
project promptly and in prime condition ... That is my specialty.
Upon receiving my wideplank Red Pine it must be stored under normal indoor
conditions for as short a period of time as possible or, better yet, installed
immediately. Admittedly, major 'gaps' between wideplank boards can occur
because of an uneven subfloor and/or improper installation by installers.
Doing it Right.
In addition to
Complimentary Online/Fax Quotations, Marreed-Prestman offers a
No Obligation
Fee-Based On-Site Inspection,
Assessment and Quotation Service ... I visit your job site and
assess 'job issues', your requirements, options, methods, budget
and 'vision' ... you take advantage of my knowledge and
expertise. Whether you Do-it-Yourself or have me install and
finish or you hire a local contractor, my On-Site Consultations
will inevitably save you Space, Time, Money, and Frustration.
Half (50%) of my On-Site Consultation Service Fee is credited to
either Value Package, Full Installation or DIY:
Do-it-Yourself/Contractor Lumber Supply order. Lastly,
"Telephone Advisory Guidance" is available — based on my years
of experience and expertise — whether you purchased your
flooring from Marreed-Prestman or, not. Unlimited "Telephone
Advisory Guidance" is available thru job completion. From the
selection of wood to finishing products and technique and, of
course, assurance that you avoid major problems associated with
jack posts, subfloors, and the like. We arrange a time for you
to call and I answer your questions while your project is
underway and as a "back-up" if you have any questions
thereafter.
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Prefinished Pine
1
— prefinished wood flooring of any species or quality — is not
recommended when you live with "kids and dogs" as prefinished wood flooring
topcoats are "micro sprayed" soooo-very-thinly, that it dries instantly
under UVLight ... Topcoats may sprayed a dozen or more times but it is
none-the-less "Thin Skinned" compared to my Onsite 2X-Floodcoats ...
prefinished flooring scratches and scuffs
easily
and it overexposes scratches and dents. Prefinished Wideplank is usually only
available in White Pine
in Four (4") and Six (6") widths with a dirt-catching V-groove along the sides
of each board. I offer Solid-Face (no V-groove) Wideplank for Six (6"),
Eight (8"), Ten (10") and twelve (12") Wideplank Red Pine with On-Site
Finishing. Lastly, All prefinished wood flooring is high-maintenance and
difficult, if not impossible, to repair or have refinished.
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Prefinished Pine
2 — prefinished wood flooring
of any species or quality — is not recommended because with Prefinished
can not be sanded 'level' — board-to-board — when there is slight but,
ever-present, unevenness in all subfloors. The unevenness in the subfloor
will
'float' to the surface ... your Prefinished floor will look 'wrinkled' in
daylight and feel uneven when you walk over it ... I hasten to add that
Prefinished wood has a "V-Groove" on the top edge surface — between the boards
— in an effort to 'compensate' for uneven subfloors but, the "V-Groove" is a
nuisance to clean whether you sweep or vacuum. (Note: Retailers will
deny that their
'Micro-Groove is a nuisance ... but, they will not volunteer to wipe up spilt
milk or baby food ... try it.)
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Prefinished Pine
3 — prefinished wood flooring
of any species or quality — is not recommended because it is
'impossible' to install without scuffing, scratching or denting during the
installation process ... try it.
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Notable Quote
"I
wanted
real wood but, you see shiny
"hardwoods" everywhere, dogs 'destroy' them and they don't have 'warmth' ...
your Red Pine flooring is an investment ... perfect for me and my pooch."
In addition, Pre-Finished is usually available
only in 6" and not the wider widths because, top coating one side of the wood
causes wideplank to 'shrink' on the top (cup) quickly ... so, if you buy it,
buy it 'fresh' from the Kiln and lay it immediately.
Note: Some Retailers offer a "Touch-up Kits"
with each installation? But, Prefinished Flooring "touch-up" will
usually show damage to the naked eye ... try it.
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Traditional White Pine(s) and
Yellow Pine(s) are not recommended
because they are soft (even when professionally finished using 'Diamond-Tough'
Resin Floodcoats). See: Janka Rating for Wood Hardness
Northern Ontario Red Pine is rated ~ 1575, Eastern Canadian White Pine is
rated ~ 380.
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X-Link (sister page): Janka
Rating for Wood Hardness:
Isn't Pine a Soft Wood?
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Wide Plank Pine over
twelve inches (12"+) inches in width is
not recommended because it is
not available in RED ... it is only available in common pines which, as
stated, are too soft for active lifestyles.
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Note: Northern Ontario RED
Pine over twelve inches (12"+) inches in width is milled as prized timber
(only) and reserved for high-end timbre construction in Europe, Asia and
Japan. As such, Northern Ontario Red Pine over 12" wide is not likely milled
for flooring in Canada. But, if it were available and 'proven', I would have
it.
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River
Salvage: Waterlogged, Deadheads, Beachcomber 'Pine'
— reclaimed pine flooring
and, so-called, Antique
Pine Flooring is not recommended because it is
not 'Pine' as it is often claimed to be ... it is a mix of species that
include the softer White Pine, as well as, 'lost woods' and 'cast-offs' that
are not necessarily 'Pine' and are not compatible in quality and hardness.
River Salvage companies proclaim ~ 6% humidity (no shrinkage) which is
misleading because wood will naturally acclimatizes itself to its environment
which is (for wood) ~ 8-10 humidity under normal circumstances.
Being too dry, Waterlogged Lumber is "Brittle Wood'
(prone to Chaffing)... 'inflexible' — where flexibility is absolutely
necessary — firstly, for proper installations and secondly, to accommodate
seasonal changes in humidity and heat.
Brittle Wood has its place" as baseboards, window frames and in furniture
building but, as wideplank flooring, it is infamous for cracking, blistering
(chaffing) and splintering. Lastly, Brittle Wood can not be used below grade
or in unwinterized buildings.
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Misleading?
People who are Ecologically Conscious or, simply, dislike myths and
half-truths may develop a 'pet peeve' about Waterlog Salvaged Wood –
as I have – simply because it is not the 'honest' eco-friendly
product it is claimed to be. Waterlogs are recovered through shallow diving
operations in sensitive waterfront areas. Other 'waterlogs' are not from the
water at all ... they are obtained from abandoned sites and mixed in under
the 'Historic Woods' marketing banner and commonly sold at prices upward of
$ 10.00 sf., plus ... delivery, installation, finishing and taxes.
The "Eco-Friendly" Floor?
Some companies
go so far as to claim their salvaged product is 'Green' because they do not
cut down a living tree but, that does not eliminate their Environmental
Footprint. River Salvage entails shallow water navigation, spiking, chaining
and winching to 'suck' logs out of the depths of mud and up to the water
surface. Logs are towed atop open water and skidded through 'wilderness'
shorelines to makeshift truck loading depots. It is a matter of public
record that such 'harvesting' infuriates cottagers and waterfront residents
alike ... especially, when it is done — legally — on their pristine
doorsteps. In my opinion, Waterlogs and Deadheads have a rightful place in
sustaining
the eco-systems
... and old fashioned logistics dictates that powerboats, draglines and
skidding chains do not enhance or 'clean-up' our environment.
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Barnboard 'Pine', is not recommended
because it is not usually milled by professional mills and it seldom
meets "building code" ... use it for decor only and only after applying a
'fire-retardant' (as may be required to meet your building code and insurance
requirements) for indoor wall applications".
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Wall & Ceiling Board
'Pine',
is not recommended for flooring
because it is not
milled, graded or kilned for flooring. Wallboard and Ceiling 'paneling' is
easily identified by a 1/16" bevel cut into the Top-Side edge
of every board to form a "V-Groove" upon installation. The "V-Groove" allows
ease of installation on 'uneven' walls and offers a 'rustic' feel in a room.
Secondly, and tragically, Unfinished Wall & Ceiling Board with a 1/16"
bevel (used as flooring) can not
be Professionally sanded, stained or TopCoat
FloodCoat Finished. Lastly, where the boards do not have Bottom-Side
Anti-Cup Grooves, the boards must not be 'reversed/turned over' to
create a flat surface thus 'eliminating'
the "V-Groove" ... without a shockingly costly replacement of the floor — in
the near future — with the correct materials which would have been used, by
an informed Client, in the first place.
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Imported Woods,
and particularly, Asian, Russian and South American flooring is high risk for
North American consumers. These woods appeal to buyers based on Bamboozle ...
'exclusivity' and 'eco-friendly' but, these products are not 'recognized',
'rated' or 'regulated' by any North American (hardwood or softwood) Industry
Association ... when an imported wood floor becomes a 'problem floor'
consumers seem to have little effective legal recourse. According to lawyers
who represent 'disgruntled' clients and contact me for 'help', I am told, it
is a big problem.
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These are the facts you must know when buying wide plank Red Pine flooring — in
comparison to any
hardwood flooring — as follows:
1)
Hardwood is seldom "real" any more ... it's medium density fibreboard (MDF),
Engineered Wood or Stripped (laminated) flooring (chipboard) with a veneer top
layer ...
They all Gas-Off forever!
Strip
Hardwood Flooring "ripples" in the sunlight because it warps.)
Strip Hardwood flooring
has a 3mm veneer top layer, the base of the 'board' may be 12mm
MDF or 'engineered' wood which denies the hardwood the ability to be refinished.
Quality hardwood is solid wood but, it will expose every ding, dent and scratch
and may need to be refinished three or four times over its lifetime. That is
inconvenient, costly and poor value. That is not
the case with my artistically-distressed solid wide plank Red Pine flooring.
2) Hardwood (topcoats) must be sanded down to the bare wood so that the grouting
(filler between the boards) can be removed and replaced before that kind of
floor can be refinished ... again, it is inconvenient, time-consuming and
costly. That is not the case with my artistically-distressed solid Red
Pine flooring ... there is no grouting involved ... therefore, should you
ever choose to refinish a
Marreed-Prestman floor, only
the sheen of the 'Diamond-Finish' need be hand-sanded prior to refinishing.
3) Most common hardwood is pre-finished with 'umpteen' coats of a NANO
(micro-thin spray resin and UVL cured). Each spray-coat is so fine that
one could not spray their hair with hairspray as fine. These coatings are cured
within seconds under ultraviolet light (UVL) before going through another
instant-coating. (Great for manufacturers, not great for consumers.) All-in-all,
ten (10) coats of a UV-cured finish
= .006 mil which is only 10% of my multiple on-site flood-coats of
'Diamond-Tough'. Lastly, and most importantly, Epoxy-Cured Resin finishes are
about half as hard and durable as Aluminum-Oxide Cured Resin (we use the latter
exclusively).
4) Hardwood flooring may need to be
refinished every ten years — if you are particular — whereas a
Marreed-Prestman
floor
may never need doing ... scratches, dings and dents that accumulate over the
years simply add to 'the beauty and value' of my 'Old World' flooring"
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A Do-It-Yourselfer must have the knowledge,
skill and 'building experience' or the willingness to hire local skilled
labour for floor preparation, wide plank installation and resin finishing
... proper installation and finishing is serious business when you are
contemplating "building on a vision".

Goodwill Guarantee
A. Marreed & D. Prestman 'Distressed' Red Pine Flooring Inc.
guarantees each and every new floor that we
install against DEFECT in materials and workmanship for as long as you own
your floor* (non-transferable) provided contract terms are fulfilled.

The 'Authority' of PineFlooring.ca
PineFlooring.ca
has been referred to by lawyers and consumers as "An Authority" by 'connecting'
my knowledge and experience (as illustrated within this website) to further
their legal cases in "Ontario Small Claims Court" in support of their 'Flooring
Battles' with commodity-oriented retailers, unresponsive builders and schlock
contractors. With all due respect, Marreed-Prestman — PineFlooring.ca — is not
intended or represented as
The
'Authority' for the wood industry nor, for disenchanted consumers.
PineFlooring.ca is intended to fulfill my goal of educating and entertaining
Pine Lovers and securing the 'sale' of handcrafted and authentic
wideplank wood floors ... for a
knowledgeable and appreciative audience.

I hope you are
entertained and informed?
Questions, comments and suggestions are appreciated.
Set Bookmark?
Critical information is updated
regularly in regard to Season, Price, Terms, Availability, etc ...
Explore my pages today ... study them another day. Take a moment to
set your bookmark?
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www.PINEFLOORING.CA
— like my Marreed-Prestman floors — is a force of nature, a labour
of love. This website is designed by "a
married and depressed man"
... a passionate hands-on craftsman eager to educate and entertain
"Pine Lovers" and potential "kid-and-dog-oriented" clients.
Pineflooring.ca
is a
Top Rated Website
and, as you will learn, this site
is designed to inform, intrigue and amaze you ... that is the reason
why Pine People print almost every page and save them for leisurely
reading "at the cottage" or "night-time reading".
Print
this Page?
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Price vs. Value
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