Written by Luke Blackford on September 3rd, 2009
In recent years, our society has adopted a different outlook when it comes to building materials and the overall effect on the environment. The actions that people are taking to change their behavior - due to this new outlook - has often been termed, ‘Going Green’.
For the past several months here at Blackford and Sons, we’ve been in the process of creating a new division that is completely focused on providing wood products crafted from 100% reclaimed or recycled wood. We’re pleased to announce that we have completed this new division - Blackford & Sons Reclaimed Woods. This new Reclaimed Woods division of Blackford and Sons specializes in reclaimed wood flooring, reclaimed timbers, beams, and reclaimed log fireplace mantels.
Posted in Green Building, Reclaimed Wood Products | No Responses »
Written by Luke Blackford on August 5th, 2009
In April Blackford and Sons launched a new Stair Treads division website, and now we’re pleased to announce online purchasing of stair treads through the website with full shopping cart. We offer many different species of wood, including Red and White Oak stair treads, American Cherry, Hard Maple, Hickory, Poplar, and Black Walnut.
Domino-joint
As a family business we strive to utilize the very best manufacturing techniques and technologies available in the industry in order to offer a superior product and better value to our customers. This is one of the factors that contributes to the exceptional high quality of each and every product we produce.
One of the high-quality techniques we utilize to manufacture our stair treads with single and double returns is through the use of a special mortised joint used in attaching the return to the stair tread. This joint is called a “domino-joint”. The domino-joint tenon is 100% rotation-proof and far stronger than either biscuit-joints or even dowels. Most manufacturers simply glue the return to the stair tread, but here at Blackford and Sons we ensure life-long durability of our return treads through this unique mortised and glued domino-joint process.
Posted in Hardwood Stair Treads, Stair Parts | No Responses »
Written by Luke Blackford on June 28th, 2009
When choosing a wood floor, there are many different options available. One of the most distinctive wood flooring choices available today is distressed wood flooring. This unique wood flooring creates a look and feel that is unmatched by typical wood floors.
Creating a new wood floor that has a distressed surface isn’t easy, and making it look authentic is even harder. In our custom shop, we have several different techniques that we use to distress wide plank flooring.
The most popular choice for many of our clients has been our unique hand scraped (or hand eased) edges and ends. This process is done completely by hand, giving every plank an authentic handcrafted look. This also helps to define the flooring, making the unique character of each plank stand out.
Along with hand scraped edges and ends, a hand scraped surface will add even more handcrafted flare to any wood floor. This is a great option that can be tailored to any design style from modern to rustic. Deeper scraping will lend to a more rustic interior design, while lighter scraping will compliment more modern interior designs.
A saw kerf surface also give wood flooring a unique distressed look. Saw kerf is a term used to refer to the markings that the saw blade leaves on the wood planks when they are sawn from a log. Before modern milling technology, it was common to see these marks on wood flooring. Our custom shop recreates this historic look in two ways; 1) by lightly surfacing the boards, leaving a hit-or-miss saw kerf surface, and 2) using the original surface retaining the saw kerf marks but giving the planks a smooth foot-worn look.
Finally, wire brushed flooring planks can add varying degrees of definition to a floor. Wire brushing wood removes the softer fibers and opens up the grain bringing enhanced definition and texture to the floor. Wire brushing can be heavy or light, giving any degree of texture desired.
Posted in Hardwood Flooring, Interior Design | No Responses »
Tags: distressed wood flooring, Wide Plank Flooring
Written by Luke Blackford on June 24th, 2009
A Nashville, TN builder came to us looking for unique wide plank flooring for his spec home. He wanted a floor that would exhibit handcrafted characteristics but still complement the modern architecture of the home. The floor that our design team submitted was a character grade 9-inch wide plank Walnut floor. Walnut wood has a very regal and distinguished look, and to add the handcrafted flare we selected hand scraped edges (for a lightly distressed wood flooring look). Normally, hand scraped ends would also be chosen, but to retain a ‘clean lines’ look (complimenting the architecture of the home) we left the ends untouched. This had a terrific effect that offset the distressed look of the wood for a perfect balance.
Enjoy the photos of this beautiful Walnut wide plank floor.
Posted in Custom Home Building & Contracting, Hardwood Flooring, Home Decor, Interior Design, Plank Floor Projects | No Responses »
Written by Luke Blackford on June 8th, 2009
We’ve just finished up a plank flooring project in a lovely custom home in Nashville, TN. The wide plank flooring in this Nashville home is 9″ Red Oak wide planks with hand scraped edges and a French bleed look. As you can see from the pictures, this floor suits the European castle-like style of this gorgeous home.
Traditionally a symbol of great strength, Red Oak has a subtle reddish golden patina that is quite unique. Just as with White Oak, Red Oak is cherished for its consistent grain and its traditional appearance - the main reason that it was chosen by the owners of this particular home. Because of its exceptional density and hardness, this Red Oak floor will retain its beauty through decades of use and wear.
Please enjoy the photos of this beautiful wide plank floor.
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Craftsman putting some final touches on this beautiful Nashville home.
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Another exterior shot.
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A detail shot of the flooring in the great room.
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The impressive great room.
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Looking from the kitched into the dining room.
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A beautiful shot into the dining room.
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A shot from the great room looking towards the front entrance.
View more photos of Red Oak wide plank flooring here.
Posted in Custom Home Building & Contracting, Hardwood Flooring, Plank Floor Projects | No Responses »
