DHF: The Floor Guys

Pine
(Southern Yellow)

Pinus spp.

Sample is square-edged solid strip. Top portion is finished with a water-based urethane; the bottom with an oil-modified polyurethane.

Appearance
COLOR: Heartwood varies from light yellow/orange to reddish brown or yellowish brown; sapwood is light tan to yellowish white.
GRAIN: Closed, with high figuring; patterns range from clear to knotty.
VARIATIONS WITHIN SPECIES AND GRADES: Longleaf pine (P. palustris), shortleaf pine (P. echinata), loblolly pine (P. taeda), slash pine (P. elliottii). All have many of the same characteristics as Douglas fir. Old-growth lumber in these varieties has substantially higher den-sity and is more stable than second-growth material.

Properties
HARDNESS (JANKA): Loblolly and shortleaf 690, 47% softer than Northern red oak; longleaf 870, 33% softer than N. red oak.
DIMENSIONAL STABILITY: Above average (change coefficient .00265; 28% more stable than red oak).
DURABILITY: Soft, fairly durable, although not as resis-tant to scuffs, dents and abrasions as the hardwoods. Often used for flooring, but may not be suitable for all applications due to its softness.

Workability
SAWING/MACHINING: Good machining qualities.
SANDING: Resin in wood tends to clogs abrasives; frequent sandpaper changes are required.
NAILING: Good holding ability and resistance to splitting.
FINISHING: A durable finish can help minimize wear.
COMMENTS: Generally manufactured for flooring with no end-match; sometimes flooring is “distressed” to create an antique look.

Cost (relative to plainsawn select red oak)
MULTIPLIER: 0.95

Availability
Commodity item, available as unfinished strip and plank flooring in a variety of widths and thicknesses through specialty wood flooring dealers and some lumberyards.