Method of estimating quantity of strip flooring needed. Precautions in handling hardwood flooring. Finishes for hardwood floors - - - ADVISORY COMMITTEE C. Arthur Bruce, chairman, Memphis, Tenn. Ralph E. Hill, secretary-treasurer, National Oak Flooring Manufacturers' Association, Memphis, Tenn. E. C. Singler, secretary-manager, Maple Flooring Manufacturers' Association. Chicago, Ill. R. W. Fullerton, Warren, Ark. W. B. Earle, Hermansville, Mich. Carl Rishell, secretary, National Lumber Manufacturers' Association, Washington, D. C. FOREWORD Few people fully appreciate the serviceability and beauty of hardwood floors. The value of several American hardwood species for flooring was discovered in early Colonial days. Some of our historically important buildings were floored in oak, maple, beech, birch, walnut, or other suitable woods which are still in good condition. In more recent years rapid strides have been made by the industry in developing improved products capable of meeting the exacting requirements of modern architectural and engineering specifications. In fact, it may be said that the various types of hardwood flooring now available represent the present-day ultimate in wood-fabricating technique. This bulletin, prepared under the general supervision of Fletcher H. Rawls, Assistant Director of the Bureau, and P. A. Hayward, Chief of the Forest Products Division, is intended to answer the need for authentic information on the manufacture of hardwood flooring, the various types available, its application and finishes. Making such information readily available to both domestic and foreign consumers is expected to assist in developing and maintaining the markets for the products of this American industry. Acknowledgment is made of the close cooperation of the National Oak Flooring Manufacturers' Association, the Maple Flooring Manufacturers' Association, and members of the Advisory Committee, especially Mr. Carl Rishell, hardwood-products engineer of the National Lumber Manufacturers' Association. JULY 1938. ALEXANDER V. DYE, Director, Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce. V AMERICAN HARDWOOD FLOORING AND ITS USES HARDWOOD FLOORS IN HISTORY The use of hardwood floors comes down to us through the centuries. Romance and history relating to England from the time of legendary King Arthur make reference to floors of "sturdy oak." And sturdy they must have been in every sense of the word-handhewn as they were in thick heavy planks to withstand the wear of ages. Some of these historical floors are still to be seen in the ancient castles and other buildings which today bear witness to England's medieval splendor. In Germany and France, also, in those earlier ages, hardwood floors in various forms-crude in comparison with modern types, but still in keeping with their period-were widely used. As the early craftsmen sought greater refinement, there developed a constant evolution toward new forms of flooring. Parquetry hardwood flooring was chosen for the Palace of Versailles when that architectural masterpiece was erected. The Palace, which has sheltered kings and has witnessed countless thrilling historical events, is one of the most elaborate buildings in the world. In the Gallery of Battles, which is more than 400 feet long, herringbone-patterned hardwood floors were chosen, which, because of their great durability, are today still beautiful and in excellent condition. The great Hall of Mirrors, probably one of the most gorgeous rooms in the Palace (the room that witnessed the signing of the treaty terminating the World War), was also finished with attractive hardwood floors in a parquetry design. In the pioneer days of America the history of flooring may be said to have repeated itself, for the settlers had few, if any, tools to work with. Thus, some of the first cabins depended for a floor upon the earth or natural stone that happened to be on the building site. The next step was the use of round poles so that the occupants could be raised off the ground, but as time permitted and as tools became more plentiful the settlers split or hewed the poles or logs in order to get a flatter and more liveable floor. There are still in service many of the colonial buildings in which the laboriously handhewn flooring planks were installed, some being smoothed with the old jack plane. When the whipsaw was introduced in the Colonies it was possible to produce flat sawn flooring, now commonly referred to as "plank flooring." The floor planks, of random widths and lengths, were laid across the hewn beams and joists and fixed by means of wooden pegs driven through the flooring into the supporting beams. The protruding tops of the pegs were cut off smoothly with the surface of the floor. One of the finest examples of early American pegged plank floors is to be found in the old Sip Mansion built in 1664 at what is now |