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A History of Wood Floors 

. . . . . . our dependence on wood grew throughout the development of the human race. From the tips of spears used in hunting, the fuel to cook with, and the warmth and light from fire. As a product of nature wood has long been used throughout our history. Our homes were built of wood, means transportation created, causing exploration and expansion. Wood has been a part of our history as long as the existence of man.

It wasn't until the Middle Ages flooring materials made of wood were introduced. Rough hewn planks existed in floors throughout the world. Some dated 800 years old , still maintain daily use. Hand cut pieces, inlaid into patterns were placed in places of the "higher ups".

After the development of machinery came finer milling techniques, thus the ornate parquets were introduced, many which are still in use today. We will chronological the history of wood floors throughout our history, starting with the early 1500's to present day uses.

The simplest floor (ground level) was pack earth, better ones being of stone, brick in some pattern. Upper floors, some of elm, most were pine and oak. These boards (planks) are much wider than modern day uses. It was not uncommon for these board sizes to be up to 24 inches. The most expensive wood floors, used various colors (stain) and laid in patterns. The most prized, used parquet and even marquetry. Lesser expensive forms was achieved by painting patterns onto the wood floor. This was common using paints and stains to form patterns and designs. (See Painted Wood Floors) These design techniques started in the early 1600's, being more common in the Netherlands more so than in England, these painted floor design most likely came from the popular practice of oilcloths (floor cloths) which still continue today. With the lower floors in many residences being patterns of stone, the upper floors were made oak planks, 12 inches wide left untreated and regularly scrubbed with sand. Around the perimeter of rooms wooden floor boards were stained and polished to frame carpets or ornamental painted oil cloths commonly called floor clothes, which later became linoleum. These elaborately painted canvases were sealed (varnished) to protect them . Dining rooms often adorned these works of art, some times being used to cover expensive carpets.

In Colonial times, smooth pine boards were used, with and without stain, and laid in various widths. Tongue and grooved, half lap or splined joints floors were again , in the late 18th century painted to simulate stone and simple checked pattern with the use of floor cloths painted in elaborate designs and marbleized diamond patterns being more common. Usually these were used in hallways, dining rooms and parlors. With wide planks being common, being painted and or vanished were the norm. Better cuts of wood, parquetry and inlay was limited to the formal and richest of rooms. There was little change of materials used between the last 1700's until the mid 1800's. Pine was used more often in the New England states.
 see Sources of Reclaimed & Recycled Wood Floors

Tongue and grooved pine random widths was used more often as was common place for the south and mid-Atlantic states. Stenciling and painted diamonds, or solid painted floors were also common place with parquet a rarity during this period. Throughout the 19th century, unfinished pine continued to be the most common wood floor in use. Starting mid century stain was applied before floors were polished. These soft wood soon became subfloor material as parquet began to gain popularity. The innovations of prefabricated parquet patterns were sold ready to install on cloth ("wood carpet") , sold by the yard. Floor cloths continued there popularity, after which linoleum was manufactured (1860). This product was used by "poorer" people to simulate wood and expensive carpets.

With pine flooring so prominent, darker stains were used to simulate a more " expensive wood" such as oak. Stained to match wall boards, this style became the standard in floor treatments. Prior to the Civil War, painted floors were the "vogue", sporting colors of deep blue and Indian red.

As milling machinery became more refined, parquet became "the" floor of choice. These patterns or custom laid planks formed an important element in "Art Nouveau" interiors. These features gained much prominence in conjunction with their carpet counter parts. As parquet grew in popularity, these wood floor pieces were laid over the exsisting floor boards, with many intricate borders and styles to accent carpets. Herringbone pattern of oak became the most popular, with custom borders being introduced into the design. Some installation were being made over cement. As parquet styles and designs grew they were more common place in dining rooms, libraries and drawing rooms. Border motif parquets, using exotics such as mahogany and cherry were not uncommon.

In Colonial Revival houses, standard strips of oak became the norm, with planks being used less. This would become the standard wood floor for years to come. Typically with inlaid borders around the perimeter of the rooms, and minor rooms receiving the plank striped flooring, with pine upstairs. The lighter woods being more popular in the 20's and 30's, some variations of stained borders gained some acceptance in less smart houses. Throughout the 30's, 40's, strip oak was the main staple in the flooring industry. With a an increase of parquets use in many patterns, species mixes, strip oak flooring out sold all wood flooring in the country. As the sizes changed the various widths, oak strip in the late 30's was made into larger parquet or "unit blocks", at the same time a small amount of "factory finished" flooring began to appear (SEE Prefinished Wood Floors) Following WWII, oak was the number one floor of choice in homes built during the boom years of the 50's. As oak strip flooring peaked in 1956, major change was soon on the horizon. With more prefinished products, on slab construction, with the use of "sleepers" for the installation of oak floors , proved very successful for many years. Even new methods of installation would not help the wood flooring regain it's hay day it not long ago enjoyed.

With the approval of carpet as a accepted floor covering by the FHA in new home construction, major change for the wood flooring industry was soon to be reckoned with. As this tidal wave of carpet (being included in mortgage loans) hit the US market, wood flooring would never be the same. A complete turn around of some 10 years earlier had occurred. Now hardwood flooring became a special surface of choice, and was only placed in special, formal areas and rooms. From this came the combination of parquet used with borders. As technology help advance new products, such as elastomeric adhesives, wood floors now could be applied directly to concrete subfloors. This could not have been at a better time, as on grade (slab/ concrete) construction had increased more than 40%, wood was back in. As wood floors found there way back into our homes, in the 70's carpet was still king , (hardwood) was for the well to do and higher priced custom market. It has continued it's growth more and more each year. Advanced technologies with adhesives, finishes, prefinishing techniques (factory finished), and a campaign to educate the public, wood flooring is on the rebound. As the market grows in addition to all the new products (engineered/laminates/ & acrylic-impregnated)-factory finished, the consumer now has many, new products, wood species, sizes & styles to choose from. There will be a increase demand for custom one of a kind wood floors, use of "mixed-media" and painted wood floors. With all the new products and choices, Prefinished wood floors will be the one to watch, as growth and consumer sales continue to rise.

The natural choice, wood floors of yesterday, today & tomorrow, will always add beauty and much pleasure with ease of maintenance for many life times to come.

See Exotic Wood Floor Species