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Newly Milled vs. Antique Hardwood Flooring: The Pros and Cons

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Comparing the Advantages and Drawbacks of Freshly Milled and Antique Hardwood Flooring

Selecting the right kind of hardwood flooring for your home is an important decision. At Cochran’s Lumber, we believe in offering you a range of choices to fit your specific needs. Two popular options in our selection are newly milled and antique hardwood flooring. Both have their own unique set of advantages and drawbacks. Let’s help you decide which one might be the best fit for your home.

Newly Milled Hardwood Flooring

Pros:

  1. Consistency: With newly milled wood, you get a consistent look across the floor. This gives your space a seamless appearance, which can be particularly important for modern or minimalist designs.
  2. Customization: From the type of wood to the stain, you have more control over the final appearance. Our Mies and Ascetic collections offer a broad range of newly milled options.
  3. Durability: Newly milled hardwood is generally stronger and less likely to have imperfections, meaning it might last longer with less maintenance.
  4. Ease of Installation: These planks are often easier to install than reclaimed wood, saving time and possibly money on the installation process.

Cons:

  1. Lack of Character: Some people feel newly milled wood lacks the natural character and history that comes with antique wood.
  2. Environmental Impact: Though we ensure sustainability in our practices, newly milled wood does involve fresh lumber, which has a different environmental footprint compared to reclaimed wood.
  • Polar Frost
  • Ole Red
  • Midnight

Antique Hardwood Flooring

Pros:

  1. Unique Character: The natural aging process gives antique wood a unique character and story that is hard to replicate. Our Western Waves collection offers a beautiful range of antique options.
  2. Sustainability: Reclaimed or antique wood is often recycled from other structures, making it a more eco-friendly option.
  3. Durability: Oddly enough, many antique woods are extremely durable because they were harvested from older, larger trees.
  4. Natural Patina: The aged look and natural patina of antique wood can add warmth and depth to a room, making it feel more inviting.

Cons:

  1. Price: Antique wood can be more expensive due to the labor-intensive process of reclaiming and preparing the wood.
  2. Limited Supply: There may be a limited quantity or range of styles and sizes, making it difficult for larger projects.
  3. Potential for Imperfections: With age might come some imperfections like nail holes or variations in plank size, which could be viewed as either a pro or a con depending on your aesthetic preferences.
  • Antique Oak Distressed Hardwood Flooring
    Antique Oak- Distressed
  • Cochrans Antique Oak Distressed Grade with rustic saw kerf design
    Antique Oak- Distressed
  • Cochrans Antique Oak Milled Grade
    Antique Oak- Milled

Making Your Choice

Both newly milled and antique hardwood flooring have their pros and cons. It’s all about what fits your personal style, needs, and values. At Cochran’s, we’re here to guide you through these options and find the one that makes your home feel just right.

If you’re intrigued and would like to explore more, don’t hesitate to visit our showroom in historic Berryville, VA (only 50 miles west of Washington D.C), or give us a call at 1(877) 297-8331. Let’s find the perfect hardwood flooring that you’ll be proud to call your own.

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