What is the difference between a reclaimed wood floor and a new oak floor?

A new oak floor comes fresh from the forest, sawn and dried in a factory. A reclaimed wood floor has spent centuries in a building: it has dried naturally, it no longer warps (it has already done that), and it carries marks that nobody can fake. It is literally the same material, with a different story.

Can I have a reclaimed wood floor with underfloor heating in an old house?

Yes, as long as the floor is properly prepared. Our inside and outside floorboards bonded to birch plywood are stable enough to lay over underfloor heating. For solid old planks, we recommend a tailored approach: give us a call for advice on the right build-up.

Does a reclaimed wood floor need to be treated?

We supply the floorboards sanded, and filled where needed. For the final finish you have three options: oil (a soft sheen and a natural look), lacquer (protective, with a harder finish) or nothing at all (the purest look, though it does need upkeep). What suits you best depends on where the floor is and how it's used. We're happy to help you decide.

How do I level the subfloor for a reclaimed wood floor?

A flat subfloor matters when you lay an old plank floor. With solid planks on battens, a little unevenness is possible and even welcome. Boards bonded to birch plywood need a well-levelled screed. We'll advise you on the right subfloor as part of your quote.

How much does a reclaimed wood floor cost per m²?

The price depends on width, thickness, origin and finish. You can download the current price list at the top of this page. For project prices and large quantities, call us or send a request.

Do you sell individual antique floorboards, or only complete floors?

Both. We sell individual old floorboards for small projects, complete floors cut to size for homes, and large quantities for fit-out projects. It also works if you want to lay the floor yourself or use your own floor fitter.

Can I sand a reclaimed wood floor myself once it starts to wear?

A solid old oak floor can be sanded several times, and more easily than a floor with a thin wear layer. That is part of its value: a floor that can stay with you for 50 years and be brought back to life for every new generation.

Reclaimed wood
Reclaimed wood flooring with character

Reclaimed wood flooring with character

Flooring made from old boards, salvaged from buildings and houses.

Reclaimed wood flooring at a glance

Wood type:	Oak
Origin:	The Alps, Eastern Europe
Finish:	Brushed, planed, sanded, filled
Availability:	In stock

Price list Our warehouse

Different kinds of reclaimed floorboards

Reclaimed wood flooring comes with a story that a new floor will never have. Centuries in a mountain farmhouse, an old storehouse or a barn somewhere in Europe. Nail holes, wear, faded patches, here and there a trace of old paint or a wooden peg. These aren't flaws: this is the wood showing you what it has been through.

At Hout met Historie, you'll find reclaimed floorboards in two versions: inside (the inner face of old planks, sanded smooth) and outside (the outer face, rougher and with more character). Both are available as straight boards or laid in a herringbone or chevron pattern. They're in stock at our warehouse in Lemmer, Friesland.

Where our reclaimed floorboards come from

The wood comes from demolished buildings elsewhere in Europe, where building traditions differ from those in the Netherlands. Centuries ago, oak there was sawn into wide, sturdy planks, because wood was plentiful in those regions. We go through every batch and pick out what is suitable for a reclaimed plank floor.

Every floorboard carries marks you won't find in new wood:

Holes drilled where a nail once sat
Discolouration from decades of daylight
Traces of paint from an earlier use
Wooden pegs or the carpenter's stamps
Irregular grain and colour, because no two planks are the same

That makes these floors just as suited to old houses (where modern parquet would look out of place) as to new builds (where you want contrast with sleek surroundings).

Reclaimed oak flooring: finishes and patterns

Inside Straight
Outside Straight
Inside Herringbone
Outside Herringbone
Inside Chevron
Outside Chevron
Inside Straight boards
Outside Straight boards

Herringbone floor in brushed outside reclaimed oak

Inside floorboards: smooth, yet marked by time

The inner face of old oak planks, sanded and filled where needed. Smooth underfoot, with a colour and pattern that only years of use can create. For anyone who wants an old floor without the roughness.

Available as:

Straight boards
Herringbone
Chevron

Outside floorboards: rough, with a mind of their own

The outer face of the same planks, brushed so that the rough texture stays intact. For anyone who wants an old floor that recalls where it came from with every step. Often chosen for modern interiors that call for contrast between rough and smooth.

Available as:

Straight boards
Herringbone
Chevron

Bonded to birch plywood

Both versions are also available bonded to birch plywood, for anyone who wants the stability of an engineered floor with the look of reclaimed wood. That makes our reclaimed wood flooring suitable where solid wood would move too much, such as over underfloor heating or in large open-plan spaces.

Who is our reclaimed wood flooring for?

Homeowners looking for a floor with more soul than factory-made parquet. Often for the renovation of an old house where a modern floor would feel out of place, or for a new build where the owners want a counterweight to all those clean lines. One room or a whole house: both are possible.

Furniture makers and interior designers who want to give their clients a floor that can carry the story of an interior. We also supply large quantities for fit-out projects. Call us for project terms.

Restorers laying floors in listed or historic buildings who want a floor that matches the age of the building, without it becoming a reproduction.

Good to know

In stock at our reclaimed wood warehouse in Lemmer, Friesland
Cut to size for your room
Wide planks available: ask about current stock
Delivery throughout the Netherlands and Belgium
Download the price list above
Do come and see for yourself: you can judge an old floor better by hand than from a photo

Suitable for:

floor

stair treads

BUY SUSTAINABLE RECLAIMED WOOD

Reclaimed wood is a good choice if you want to buy wood sustainably. We only sell genuine old wood, selected for its quality, so you know exactly what you're getting.

Thinking about a reclaimed wood floor? Then you'll probably have practical questions about care, fitting and the condition of the wood. Below, we answer the questions customers ask us most often.

Frequently asked questions

Soak up the atmosphere of reclaimed wood

A warehouse full of unique wood. Old oak, the finest wagon boards, rugged beams and trusses. You'll find it all in our reclaimed wood warehouse in Lemmer. Come and soak up the atmosphere.
OUR WAREHOUSE

Our price list

The reclaimed wood in our range changes regularly, and Hout met Historie sells unique types of wood. Want to know the current prices? Request our price list.