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Red Birch Question
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Posted by jeanz5il (My Page) on Wed, Sep 19, 07 at 16:48
| Trying to pick out a floor and saw this in picture form. It reminds me of Cherry and Maple combined. Now it also had a beautiful patina that seemed to glow. It was listed as a contemporary floor. Now if I stained it to a richer color for a more formal look will that kill the glow I think it eminates?? Anyone have pictures of their Yellow or Red Birch Floors? I really don't want perse a contemporary look but a medium color wood floor not too dark or light. Is their a varnish that adds a little color to the floor so I wouldn't cover up the patina and blend the almond and reddish tones to the floor more? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Red Birch Question
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Here is a link that might be useful: Carlisle Birch Floor
RE: Red Birch Question
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| Here is my natural red birch flooring. Hope this helps. I really like it. It matches our dog! ;-) 
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RE: Red Birch Question
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| Hi Linda, I absolutely love your floor! It is so rich and warm! It is exactly what I am looking for. I am building a house near Boston and am just now deciding what to put down. My contractor keeps steering me to red oak because birch is "softer" and not only will I be living near the water, I have a dog (different color though!). Would you mind telling me some specifics...like where you got it, what type and grade of birch, how you achieved the beautiful color you did and what type of finish? You know...everything! I would really appreciate it. Thank you! |
RE: Red Birch Question
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Kischka
I am near Boston, too! Since I chose red birch cabinets, my contractor helped me pick the floors. The raw material is select red birch 2 1/4 unfinished. You are seeing it with only one coat of finish. It is a natural finish--no stain. They have since done a second coat, and will come back when the kitchen is done for the final coat. I am really happy with the quality. Even the registers are beautiful...my contractor picked them out! 
He has a great eye for detail! Hope this helps. Please let me know if you need more.
-Linda |
RE: Red Birch Question
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| What an awesome job he has done! You must be very happy. Whereabouts near Boston? I am in Hull. And though we are in New England, I am doing more of a southwest type of home and really don't want red oak. This birch floor has a really quiet beauty to it! We would like to go with the 3 1/4 select (or clear?) and were trying to decide whether to use an oil or water-based finish. Your initial floor picture appears to be more reddish and I was wondering if it has ambered with the finishing? Thanks! |
RE: Red Birch Question
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| Thanks Linda - those are very nice pictures. Of what I have seen in a store on the floor is light and redder hues. I understand if you put a stain on it the patina of the wood is hidden so natural is the way to go. |
RE: Red Birch Question
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| Yep, Jean. The floors are natural. Kischka, I think you are seeing a difference due to lighting. The first picture I posted was before the recessed lighting was installed, walls painted and was done during the day from a dark hallway. The pictures of the registers were taken at night, with the installed recessed lighting on...and with citrus mist paint on the walls. I don't think they've changed color since they still match my dog! 
And I am in Concord, MA. Hope this helps! |
RE: Red Birch Question
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| Hi Linda, Just a quick follow-up. I went with the birch floors and they look great (IMHO). Thanks for your help! Kischka I'd attach a pic but don't know how! |
RE: Red Birch Question
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Kischka
Enjoy the floors. I love mine. :) Please do attach a pic one of these days. I am sure your floors are great! Linda |
RE: Red Birch Question
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| Hi Linda-z and Kischka I was wondering if you could tell me how your floors are holding up. Do you know if the red birch gets much darker over time? Also, very curious about the scratches with your very cute dog. I have two large dogs myself and want to install the red birch. I would also be curious who you used to install. They came out awesome. I am from Marlborough Thanks so much |
RE: Red Birch Question
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| Hi Mutt They just put the final coat on the floors last week. So far, so good. I will check with my GC as to who installed. They did a great job. |
RE: Red Birch Question
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| Hi, My floors have only been in two weeks and they have been covered now for more construction so cannot tell you how they hold up or if they darken. I don't believe they should. I had two coats of high gloss then finished with semi-gloss so it strong but not super-shiny (lots of sun streaming in). We used Glodgett Flooring. Good luck. I love these and am told they should hold up. Kischka |
RE: Red Birch Question
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| linda-z, have just had red birch installed in our house and am trying to decide between oil and water based finish. Could you tell me which you used? Do you know the brand name of the finish that was used? Your floors look great! Thanks! |
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