Antique Look - Steel Cut Nails

Wide-plank pine was practically the only material used for floors by the early settlers. Wonder how they installed it? The common practice was face nailing the boards. Since most wood products will tend to shift after milling, this method kept floors secure and minimized any movement throughout the seasons.

As many seek to recreate that historic look today, face nailing floors with old-fashioned, square-headed cut nails has become very popular. Aside from stability benefits, cut nails give wide plank floors a beautiful rustic look which dates back to homes built hundreds of years ago.

Below are pictures of a face-nailed floor consisting of 7-1/4" and 9" wide random planks installed in a downtown Portland condo.