Strength and Durablity Authentic Pine Floors, Inc. obtains its coastal heart pine from managed forests in the southeast - the only place where Longleaf pine is grown. Southern Yellow and Heart Pine have been used since the early 1700's in homes all along the Eastern coast because of its strength, durability, stability and beauty. What is Heart Pine? As described by the Southern Pine Council - "Southern pine lumber is composed of either sapwood or heartwood, or a combination of the two. Heartwood is the "dead" or dormant center of a tree surrounded by the living sapwood. Generally, heartwood can be distinguished from sapwood by its reddish color. Its higher density also makes it harder than sapwood. In the "heart pine" trade, the rule of thumb is "the Redder, the Better." Lumber cut from the heartwood of any Southern Pine species can be considered heart pine." Southern Yellow & Heart Pine are the hardest of all pines worldwide. As this chart shows, heart pine is rated 1225, only 5% softer than red oak. Below are listed the relative Janka hardness test for numerous wood species used in flooring. The higher the number the harder the wood. This should be used as a general guide when comparing various species of wood flooring. Ratings will vary from where and when a tree was obtained. The construction and finish play an important role in the durability and ease of maintenance of any wood floor.   Ipe (Walnut Brazilian) Hardness/Janka: 3680; 185% harder than Northern Red Oak Mesquite - Prosopis glandulosa Hardness/Janka: 2345; 82% HARDER THAN Northern red oak. Hickory - Carya ssp Hardness/Janka: 1820; 41% harder than Northern Red Oak Hickory-Pecan - Carya spp. Hardness/Janka: 1820; 41% harder than Northern red oak. Pecan is slightly softer than true hickories. Maple (Hard) - Acer saccharum Hardness/Janka: 1450; 12% harder than Northern red oak. Oak (White) - Quercus alba Hardness/Janka: 1360; 5% harder than Northern red oak. Beech - Fagus grandifolia Hardness/Janka: 1300; 1% harder than Northern red oak. Oak (Red) - Quercus spp. Hardness/Janka: Northern 1290 (benchmark). Birch - Betula spp. Hardness/Janka: 1260 (yellow); 2% softer than Northern red oak. Heart Pine (Antique) - Pinus spp. Hardness/Janka: 1225; 5% softer than Northern red oak. Walnut (American Black) - Juglans nigra Hardness/Janka: 1010; 22% softer than Northern red oak. Cherry (American) - Prunus serotina Hardness/Janka: (Janka): 950; 26% softer than Northern red oak Cherry (Black) - Prunus serotina Hardness/Janka: 950; 26% softer than Northern red oak. Pine (Southern Yellow) - Pinus spp. Hardness/Janka: Loblolly and shortleaf 690, 47% softer than Northern red oak; longleaf 870, 33% softer than Northern red oak. Douglas Fir - Pseudotsuga menziesii Hardness/Janka: 660; 49% softer than Northern red oak. Eastern White Pine – pinus strobus Hardness/Janka: 380, 61% softer than Northern red oak   Southern Yellow Pine, Longleaf, Loblolly and Shortleaf are rated from 690 to 1225. They are twice as hard as Eastern White Pine that has a hardness rating of 380 according to the Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material (Agriculture Handbook 72, Forest Products Laboratory, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1987.) Southern Heart Pine & Southern Yellow Pine rate above average in stability! Change coefficient .00263 and .00265 is 29% more stable than red oak. How long will Southern Pine Floors last? Many homes built in the 1700’s are showcased in Williamsburg, VA, Charleston, SC and other historic cities along the Eastern coast. The heart pine floors become more beautiful with time aging to a rich patina. The floors, with proper care, should certainly last the lifetime of the home. Will Southern Pine Floors dent? There are many things that cause indentions on most floors. Women’s high heels, wheeled toys, pets’ claws and furniture legs are considered "high risk" traffic for wood floors. Southern Pine floors are appreciated for their "beauty of imperfection." Normal wear throughout the years continues to add "character" to Southern Pine floors.

It was a pleasure working with you. You were very friendly and polite and we felt that you had our best interests in mind. It’s refreshing to deal with someone like you in a world where how a customer feels isn’t important anymore. - Ed Lock Emmetsburg, Iowa

Have a Question? Call an Authentic Pine Floors Expert at 1-800-283-6038

Our Pine Flooring

Heart Pine

Solid Site Finish Flooring

Like heart pine of the 18th century, today’s vintage promises to be the masterpieces of tomorrow ...

Heart pine flooring has been used since America was founded, in homes all along the Eastern coast, across the country and abroad because of its strength, durability and beauty. Our heart pine is produced from American managed plantations and sustainable forests using the highest quality material and state of the art milling. Heart Pine is the dense, center section of the tree.

Colonial Heart Pine

Colonial Heart Pine is our premier grade, defined by high heart content, classic lines, and limited knots. Custom-finished on site, it is crafted in 4” to 12” widths.

Victorian Heart Pine

Victorian Heart Pine is part of our Southern Living® Custom Builder Program signature line and continues to be our most popular floor. Custom-finished on site and stains beautifully in 4” to 12” widths.

Country Heart Pine

Country Heart Pine appeals to a more casual lifestyle. Custom-finished on site, it is often distressed and remains most popular ‘face nailed’ in 6” and 10” random widths. This new, old look is available in 4” to 12” widths.

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Heart Pine Solid Flooring

Handscraped / Distressed

“Authentic Oil™ finish sets our Prefinished Floors Apart!”

Authentic Pine Floors has developed a four coat European oil finishing process that enhances the grain and natural beauty of heart pine. The Authentic Oil helps the floor develop a deep patina with age creating a rich, old world appeal. Unlike aluminum oxide, the oil penetrates deep into the wood so the finish does not scratch, chip or peel.

Handscraped

We’re often asked how one can make their floor look older. Authentic Pine Floors is thrilled to offer one of the only “Hand-crafted” floors on the market. Each plank is planed by hand creating the unique characteristics of old world handcraftsmanship. These floors are custom made when ordered.

Distressed

In addition to the striking grain and patina of Authentic heart pine floors, each plank of heart pine distressed floors undergoes our custom texturing process and is finished with Authentic Oil. This product wins our 2006 New Product Award.

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Wide Plank Pine

Solid Site Finish Flooring

Imagine the Possibility ...

Affordably priced, wide plank southern yellow pine can be left natural for a warm honey tone or stained as desired. In boards up to one foot in width, those looking for the look of original pine floors choose wide plank pine flooring.

Procured from American managed plantations and sustainable forests, southern yellow wide plank flooring is a renewable resource. It is twice as hard as its Northeastern white pine counterpart.

Wide Plank Pine

In boards up to one foot in width, those looking for the look of original pine floors choose Wide Plank Pine.

Vertical Grain Southern Yellow Pine

Vertical grain creates the classic look common to many Victorian homes. Today it adds beauty to exposed beam ceilings...

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Antique Heart Pine - Recycled Floors

Engineered Flooring

Handscraped/Distressed/Natural Aged Patina - Authentic Oil™ Prefinished

In our efforts to preserve our past for future generations, we have crafted antique veneers into stunning heart pine flooring.

The thick wear layer makes it comparable to solid flooring. Engineered floors are more resistant to high moisture levels than solid wood floors. Perfect for coastal and arid climates, they are showcased in Tavern grade and available in three finishes.

Natrual Aged Patina

Wide plank antique heart pine is enhanced with Authentic Oil™ finish. Should you want to add color to this floor, topcoat with one of our darker oils.

Handscraped

A work of art, there is no substitute for hand crafted, old world style. Every last plank is scraped by hand and shows the telltale markings of a talented craftsman.

Distressed

Textured to replicate the floors of old, but smooth to the touch, this wide plank floor was the “Floor of the Year” at the Southern Living Custom Home Builder™ conference.

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Wide Plank Oak

Engineered Flooring

Authentic Oil™ Prefinished - For more formal applications, wide plank 7.5”” handscraped oak works perfectly. Light in color, with the depth handscraping adds and completed with the Authentic Oil Finish™, it is easy to maintain.

Handscraped

Solid wide plank oak is not stable so rarely used, however, it performs perfectly made into veneers and manufactured into engineered wide plank flooring. This gives you the opportunity to have a very unique floor. Should you want to add color to this floor, topcoat with one of our darker oils. . .

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