Monday, August 22, 2011

Stout's Pub Floor - Into the Kiln



Our wood air dries for one hundred years or more, but kiln drying ensures that all of our products are top quality. Especially with floors, it is important to have consistent low level moisture content. Low moisture content stabilizes the wood so that we can be confident that the floors won’t cup or buckle over time. It also guarantees that no living organisms inhabit the wood. The time it takes a load of wood to reach it's optimal moisture level varies from several days up to a week. We expect this particualar floor to be ready to come out of the kiln for final processing by end of the week.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Breathe Easy with Reclaimed Wood Flooring


According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air quality is one of our country’s leading health concerns. Plus, an estimated 60-70 million Americans are affected by house dust, suffering from sniffling, sneezing, itchy eyes, sinus troubles and difficulty breathing.


So what do reclaimed wood floors have to do with better breathing? Quite a lot, actually. Not only are they visually appealing and environmentally smart, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America claims that hardwood floors are ideal for persons with allergies and asthma.


The Health Benefits of Reclaimed Wood Floors 


Look Ma, No Fibers
Unlike carpets, reclaimed wood does not contain fibers. The smooth, solid surface is less likely to confine dust, dirt, allergens and animal dander. It is also more resistant to dust mites and mold. 


Un-Noxiously Clean
Reclaimed wood floors are much easier to maintain. Regular cleaning — which prevents airborne particles and pollens from accumulating — requires little more than sweeping, dry mopping or vacuuming to keep them allergen free. 


We Won’t Emit It
Hardwood materials are fundamentally less toxic than synthetic materials found in carpet, vinyl, laminate and linoleum do not emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  VOCs can trigger asthma symptoms if their levels are too high.


Repelling Really
The hard surface of reclaimed wood floors is more resistant to artificial substances like pesticides that can build up on other floor coverings. We track in outside pesticides, which can accumulate on floors, but wood floors can significantly reduce the buildup of such toxins. 


Whether you suffer from asthma or allergies or simply enjoy making healthy choices, reclaimed wood flooring is a smart option for a healthier indoor environment. Feel free to contact us at Manomin Resawn Timbers to learn more about how reclaimed lumber can help you to create a healthy home, office or living space.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Stout's Pub The first step - Denailing

We have an exciting new project - Stout's Pub located at 1611 Larpenter in Falcon Heights. We will be documenting the process from start to finish. The first step in preparing the wood is denailing. Since the wood that we use comes from old warehouses and barns, it is filled with nails. All of the old hardware has to be pulled by hand. We use a metal detector to find metal pieces that we can't see. All of the old hardware must be removed before we can run it through the saw.