Pine Flooring Pros and Cons

Heart pine flooring is a beautiful option for any home. Made from the heartwood of the longleaf pine tree, this type of flooring is known for its rich, warm color and tight grain patterns. It is also somewhat resistant to wear and tear, making it a great choice for homes with light traffic.

Heart pine has a rich history as a flooring material. In the early days of America, longleaf pine forests stretched from Texas to Virginia and were a valuable resource for shipbuilding, construction, and flooring. As demand for the wood grew, large-scale logging operations began to deplete the longleaf pine forests, and today, the vast majority of longleaf pine trees have been cut down. However, some companies still salvage and mill the remaining old growth heart pine for use in flooring. This reclaimed heart pine is not only beautiful, but it also has the added benefit of being environmentally friendly, as it is salvaged from old buildings, bridges and other structures rather than coming from new-growth forests.

Heart pine, while beautiful and rich in history, is not as durable as some other types of wood flooring, such as oak. Due to its softness, it is more prone to dents and scratches, which can be more visible on a light-colored wood like heart pine. Additionally, the softness of heart pine can make it more challenging to refinish, as it may require more frequent sanding. It is important to note that while heart pine is considered a soft wood, it is still relatively durable and can make a great flooring choice for many homes, especially in areas with lower traffic. However, if you're looking for a flooring option that will stand up to heavy use and wear, oak or other hardwoods may be a better choice.