skip to main content

Trouble finding 3/4 x 1 1/2" Red oak flooring

10 years ago

As part of an addition to my 1940s home in South Florida, I need approx. 800 sq ft of unfinished 3/4" x 1 1/2" solid red oak SELECT quality T&G to sand and finish on site. The existing house has beautiful floors I would like to continue. The problem is no one seems to have it. I can get the 1 1/2" in #1 or Common but not Select. Or I can get Select starting at 2 1/4" width. I am trying to avoid special milling delays and the expense as the prices are double for the 1 1/2" Select and 8-10 weeks to mill. Yikes!!!

Three very reputable contractors have told me not too worry, the #1 flooring is 90% clear and if we order extra they can pick and choose and use the darker pieces in little used areas such as closets or along walls where cabinetry will be built in order to keep it in the margins. They tell me it will be fine but I wonder. There's a reason some wood is select and some is #1 or Common. Are they just trying to sell me?

I can't afford the $$$ of the special order so I will have to go with the 2 1/4" Select if their advice is not good. I really wanted to keep the flow of the original floors throughout the house as seamless as possible but the reality of my budget is unavoidable.

What would you all do? The wider select and or the narrower in #1 quality?

Help please.

Comments (6)

MiaOKC
10 years ago
Hi Gracy - I am no expert, but we plan to order our flooring from Hurst Hardwoods in Florida, and I looked on their website and it looks like they have to kind of wood you are looking for - you might check them out.

Here is a link that might be useful: Select T&G red
gregmills_gw
10 years ago
While your contractors idea of picking and choosing certains pieces will work but be prepared to order extra wood in order to get enough "clean" pieces.

Where abouts are you trying to find this wood? 1.5" clear or select red oak is out there. Im out in the midwest and have absolutely no problem finding it. You may be in a weird spot where its not widely used but any distributor shouldnt have an issue ordering it. May take a few weeks for delivery but its out there.
Related Discussions
Looking for 3/4" x 4" red oak beveled plank
Q
Comments (2)
Search the internet for manufacturers of unfinished wood flooring and peruse their catalogs. Depending on how much you may need, most mills will run up anything you might want. If this is for a repair and you only need a few pieces, have your refinisher take 4-1/4" and rip it down to the 4" you need. Not a big deal...provided the person has the correct tools for the job.
...See More
Any pictures of 1x2 or 2x4 white subway tile?
Q
Comments (5)
I've got a couple of suggestions. One is to intersperse the Lowes subways with a narrow band of tiles, either small mosaic or a 1 x 6 strip. The 1 x 2's are usually considered mosaics, so they tend to be pricier than the standard white 3 x 6 subways. By going with a narrow strip in the field, you can spread out your cost. I hope I'm making sense. I noticed my Lowes and Home Depot are carrying more mosaic options in the store. I don't know if they're doing this nationwide yet. I'm in TX. Floor and Decor also have options that seem reasonably priced. If you happen to have one near you, check them out. Here's a link for some mosaics you can check out along w/pricing. HTH, Kathe Here is a link that might be useful: 1 x 2 mosaics
...See More
3 1/4" or 5" Red Oak Hardwood Floors?
Q
Comments (7)
We replaced most of the flooring on our main level with site finished 5" red oak earlier this year (upper level and one room remains 2 1/4"), so I don't have any long term experiences yet. However, I did have some of the same concerns that you have. In my attempt to research, I concluded that the homes that tended to have issues were ones where the 5" hardwoods were installed over a crawlspace. I really like the way our floors turned out, but be aware that the board lengths will be shorter than the narrower width planks. We have not yet repainted, so please ignore the battered paint
...See More
1 1/2 x 5/16 oak flooring
Q
Comments (2)
I have a planer and table saw, I just really haven't thought about how to do the tongue and groove. I think that can be done carefully with a table saw.
...See More
lazy_gardens
10 years ago
http://www.flooring.org/1-12-Red-Oak-Strip-Flooring

They have several to pick from

http://www.flooring.org/34-x-1-12-Select-Better-Red-Oak-Unfinished-Flooring
gracy101
Original Author
10 years ago
MiaOKC - thanks for the tip. I will call tomorrow and check it out

LazyGardens - likewise thanks for the lead, I will check it out too.

Im so excited...hopefully they'll pan out.

Gregmills - I'm in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area and I guess it IS a matter of geography because Ive run up against brick walls trying to get it. Down here everyone is going with the pre-stained or engineered floors, based on what the sales people/contractors tell me. It may be due to humidity concerns. I'm not worried though. As I mentioned in my original post, my house is from the 1940s. The original part sits on joists, a master bedroom addition from the 80s sits on concrete slab. Both have the hardwood and the floors are in awesome shape, no warping of any kind. I'm confident, with a properly installed subfloor, mine will be fine too. Ive tried to make sure my addition did not look like one so I desperately wanted to keep the floors consistent. .

Thank you all for the leads. If anyone reading has more suggestions, I'll take 'em.
klrgarden
9 years ago
Wonder if you ever found your flooring? we are desperately trying to fix a patch of this floor in our 1950's home. NO ONE will talk to us about buying 5 pieces, 3 feet long.

If you found this, can you give any info?

or if you bought this, do you have 5 pieces,3 feet long you would like to sell! seriously.
Thanks, Karen
User
9 years ago
kirgarden, buy 5 pieces of 3' long 2-1/4" Oak, rip it to 1-1/2" wide and either rout or regroove with a dado blade. The wood is readily available.

Another alternative would be to find a supplier of the 2-1/4" to see if their supplier has 1-1/2" and ask them to have a bundle shipped along with their next large order.

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Double Trouble and a Happy Ending

By Becky Harris

Burst pipes result in back-to-back kitchen renovations. The second time around, this interior designer gets her kitchen just right

REMODELING GUIDES Your Floor: How to Find Right Stone Tile

Get the Pros and Cons of Slate, Travertine, Sandstone, Marble and Granite

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Flooring 101: Find Your Material Match

By Lisa Frederick

From cork to concrete, our guide will help you pick the perfect surface for your kitchen floor

MOST POPULAR Find the Right Glass Door for Your Patio

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

It’s more than just a patio door — it’s an architectural design element. Here’s help for finding the right one for your home and lifestyle

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Finding Beauty in the Everyday

By Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors

From the 2-story woodstove to the fridge in the entryway, unusual takes on simple things give this Toronto home character

BEFORE AND AFTERS Owners Find Their Bliss in a Wine Country Ranch House

By Becky Harris

Going from cramped and dark to open and bright, a California home lands 600 extra square feet and a gorgeous new outdoor living room

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Just-Right Realism in an Eclectic Family Home

By Samantha Schoech

With 1,100 square feet, a modest budget and 2 young children, a San Francisco family embraces a creative DIY approach

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Handy Finds for Painting Projects of All Kinds

By Decor Adventures

Make over rooms and furniture more easily and with better results with the right paint and gear

KITCHEN DESIGN White Appliances Find the Limelight

By Becky Harris

White is becoming a clear star across a broad range of kitchen styles and with all manner of appliances

KITCHEN APPLIANCES Find the Right Cooktop for Your Kitchen

By KitchenLab Interiors

For a kitchen setup with sizzle, deciding between gas and electric is only the first hurdle. This guide can help

Sponsored

More Discussions

Hardwood floor and refinishing question

6

elm hardwood, tannin bleed

11

Flooring Color Advice

2

Saroyan Lumber and hard woods

0

Floor dilemma when we remove peninsula

0