Wood flooring has always been very popular. Wood floors have a formal, beautiful and warm look that is ideal for all kinds of rooms. They are also eco-friendly, affordable and the best part is, there is a lot of variety available. Wood floors are also relatively easy to maintain. Additionally, wood floors increase the value of a house and are therefore an investment. These days, wood flooring with the antique look is greatly in demand. Antique wood floors have a certain exotic appeal. They are also unique and thus add value to the building.

Antique woods come in different lengths and widths. Real antique woods have cracks, knots, nail holes, worm and insect tracks, etc., which can be repaired so that the floor looks new. This repair includes some cleaning and polishing before installation. Most suppliers of wood flooring do this for an extra fee. Antique wood floors can be recreated, while still retaining their color and charm.

New floors can also be made to look like antiques. Hand-distressing is one technique that gives an antiqued look to wood. This is done by hand-scraping, using planes, chisels, wire brushes, grinders and ice picks.

Antique wood floors include antique pine, antique hemlock, antique heart pine, antique ash, antique elm, antique maple, antique beech, antique oak, antique chestnut, antique barnboard and distressed barnboard.

Antique wood flooring is obtained from old buildings that are being demolished. These can typically be found in old factories, cotton mills, warehouses, etc., especially those that from the 1800s. The wood from these buildings is taken and custom-milled into various sizes of panels meant for floors, doors, stair parts, mantels, etc.

There are many manufacturers of antique wood flooring. Exhaustive information about antique wood floors and their suppliers can be found on the internet. There are also hundreds of exclusive sites that provide information.