Authentic Character is a Product of Mother Nature and Manmade Craftmanship. No two planks are alike. A unique character is developed over years of weathering and seasonal changes, combined with authentic textures left behind by early settlers' craftsmanship, including nail holes, saw kerf marks, and hand-hewn surfaces that whisper stories of pioneer craftsmanship and frontier ambition.
Reclaimed Kentucky Derby Oak - Clean Face
Key Features
- Species: Reclaimed Red and White Oak Blend
- Milled: Clean Face
- Dimensions: 3/4" Solid with back relief
- 4.5" widths and 1' to 7' random lengths
- Optional End-matched & Micro-beveled
- Tongue & Groove
- Unfinished
- Matching wooden vents and stair parts can be manufactured to order.
- Reclaimed flooring is a limited resource that is subject to price change.
- High-volume orders are eligible for price reduction.
- No two reclaimed boards are alike. Samples are strongly encouraged.
Dimensionally more stable than newly harvested wood. Reclaimed hardwood flooring often has superior dimensional stability compared to newly harvested wood, as the aging process has already released much of the wood's internal stress. This makes vintage hardwood floors less prone to warping, cupping, and other moisture-related issues that can affect newer flooring materials.
Very Dense and Durable. Most of our reclaimed floors are milled from old-growth trees that have tight grain, more dense and durable than new modern wood floors.
Reduces Deforestation and Preserves Forests. Reclaimed wood flooring repurposes timber from old buildings, barns, and factories, eliminating the need to harvest new trees.
Diverts Waste from Landfills. When reclaimed wood is used for flooring, a significant amount of usable lumber is kept out of landfills, diverting demolition waste and extending the useful life of existing materials.
Meets Green Building Standards and Qualifies for LEED Credits, Etc. Sustainable reclaimed flooring qualifies for LEED credits and supports green building initiatives while preserving cultural heritage.
Honors American History and Heritage. Installing antique wood flooring is more than a renovation decision; it's a conscious choice to honor our cultural heritage and American history as well as those who built industry and handcrafted homes during times of prosperity and adversity.
- Species: Reclaimed Red and White Oak Blend
- Milled: Clean Face
- Dimensions: 3/4" Solid with back relief
- 4.5" widths and 1' to 7' random lengths
- Optional End-matched & Micro-beveled
- Tongue & Groove
-
Unfinished
Reclaimed Kentucky Derby Oak Heritage
A story as enduring as Kentucky’s rolling bluegrass is unfolding in the heart of central Kentucky, where lush fields have echoed with the hoofbeats of legendary thoroughbreds for generations. For decades, these renowned horse farms—home to racing’s greatest champions—have been the birthplace of both storied horses and exceptional materials. Old World Timber’s Racehorse Oak Clean Face flooring originates from this celebrated legacy, crafted from reclaimed oak fencing that once enclosed prized racehorses. Following meticulous milling to remove the aged patina, each board reveals a modern, refined surface that still resonates with echoes of the past.
This distinctive oak plank stands as a tribute to Kentucky’s enduring equestrian spirit. Every section was once part of the sturdy fences that safeguarded magnificent racehorses, absorbing years of weather and history while bearing silent witness to their strength and grace. As each board is reborn, it carries those marks—timeless reminders of heritage and endurance—into new spaces where its story continues.
With its clean-face finish, Racehorse Oak highlights the unadorned beauty and sophisticated grain of reclaimed Kentucky oak, effortlessly complementing contemporary interiors. It is more than just a surface underfoot; it’s a tangible thread to a storied era—when dreams galloped past and champions were made—now preserved in every step.
Step-by-step guide for installing reclaimed tongue and groove, end-matched, random-width, and random-length hardwood flooring. This method ensures a durable, attractive finish and works with solid or engineered reclaimed wood.
Preparation
- Acclimate reclaimed wood planks in the installation room for 5–7 days to prevent excessive movement after installation. Inspect and clean planks, remove debris, and organize by width and length for efficient layout.
- Prepare the subfloor by thoroughly cleaning and ensuring it's level and dry. Hammer down any protruding nails or screws.
- Snap a straight chalk line parallel to the starting wall; allow a gap (typically ½ inch) for expansion along all walls and vertical obstacles.
Layout Planning
- For random-width planks, mix widths for a natural look; avoid placing same-width boards next to each other.
- For random-length planks, stagger the end joints by at least six inches between adjacent rows, avoiding stair-step or "lighting bolt" patterns.
- Lay out several rows "dry" first to pre-fit widths, lengths, and colors for the best visual arrangement.
Installation Steps
- Start with the groove side of the first board against the wall, tongue facing out. Leave expansion spacers between board and wall.
- Apply a bead of flooring adhesive to the back of each board, keeping it away from the edges to avoid squeeze-out into joints.
- For planks with tongue and groove and end-matched joints, blind-nail through the tongue every 8–10 inches using a flooring nail gun at a 45° angle. On wide planks or end-matched boards, nail or staple within 1–3 inches of each end and then every 6–8 inches thereafter.
- Use a rubber mallet and tapping block to snugly fit the tongue and groove joints. For end-matched boards, at row ends, cut planks so end joints are staggered and the cut end fits the tongue/groove connection.
- Fell each row according to your planned random mix of widths and lengths, continuing until the floor is finished.
- For final rows (where the nail gun will not fit), either face-nail near the wall or glue the last boards in place. Predrill all face-nail holes to avoid splitting.
Finishing Touches
- Set all nails slightly below the wood surface so they don’t show after sanding.
- Fill nail holes with matching wood putty.
- Remove spacers, then install baseboards or quarter-round molding to cover expansion gaps around the perimeter.
- Sweep/vacuum and check for gaps; apply touch-up stain as needed.
Best Practices
- Place favorite boards in visible spots for optimal aesthetics.
- Alternate widths and avoid repeated patterns for a truly random layout.
- Randomize lengths for a stable, visually pleasing floor, but maintain recommended joint staggering (minimum six inches).
