At Harrogate Flooring, we’re utterly passionate about reclaimed timber. We’ve spent years carefully selecting, preparing and manufacturing reclaimed pine floorboards from old joists and beams salvaged from historic buildings. Among our range, one product consistently stops people in their tracks: our Old Face Reclaimed Redwood Pine Flooring in 140mm, 165mm and 205mm widths.
If you’re searching for old face reclaimed redwood pine flooring, reclaimed pine floorboards, Victorian pine flooring, characterful reclaimed pine, aged pine floorboards, or authentic redwood pine flooring with genuine history and patina, this detailed guide is for you. We’ll explain exactly what “old face” means, why this product stands out from standard planed reclaimed pine, the practical benefits, how it compares to new timber, and why it is such a strong choice for period properties and character-driven homes across Yorkshire and the wider UK.
You can view the full product details, available widths and current pricing here:
Old Face Reclaimed Redwood Pine Flooring – 140mm, 165mm, 205mm
What Does “Old Face” Actually Mean?
Most of our reclaimed redwood pine flooring is planed smooth and flat on all faces, ready for a final sand after installation. The Old Face version is deliberately different.
The boards are still planed on the bottom and sides for a consistent thickness and clean edges. The top face, however, is only lightly hand-sanded. This carefully controlled process removes the worst of the dirt and roughness while deliberately retaining the original weathered surface, the natural colour variations that have developed over a century or more, the subtle texture, and the distinctive grain patterns that only decades of real life can create.
In other words, the “old face” is the original working face of the timber – the surface that has already lived a life in a mill, warehouse or factory. You get all the authenticity of genuine reclaimed wood without the need for artificial distressing or heavy sanding that can erase the very character people are looking for.
The result is a floor that feels and looks immediately historic. Marks, gouges, nail holes, colour shifts and grain variations remain visible. It is not a brand-new board that has been made to look old – it is genuinely old timber that has been carefully prepared for a new chapter in a modern home.
The Timber Itself: Slow-Grown Reclaimed Redwood Pine
Like all our reclaimed redwood pine, the Old Face boards come from joists and beams salvaged from Victorian and Edwardian buildings. These trees grew slowly in colder northern European forests, producing tight growth rings, high natural resin content and a density that modern fast-grown plantation pine simply cannot match.
This slow growth is what gives the timber its superior hardness, stability and durability. It is also the reason the colour range is so rich – deep honeys, pinks, ambers, soft greys and warmer caramel tones that have developed through natural oxidation over 100–150 years. New kiln-dried redwood pine starts life as a pale straw colour and never achieves the same depth, no matter how many stains or ageing processes are applied.
Because the Old Face version preserves the original surface, you see even more of that natural colour variation and surface interest. The lightly sanded face still shows the authentic patina that makes reclaimed pine so sought-after for period properties.
Available Widths and Profiles
Our Old Face Reclaimed Redwood Pine Flooring is offered in the classic Victorian proportions that work so well in older homes:
- 140mm
- 165mm
- 205mm (approx. 8”) for tongue-and-groove, or around 210mm for straight-edge
Thickness is a solid 20mm. Lengths are random, typically from around 1 metre up to 4 metres, which helps create a natural, flowing layout and reduces cutting waste.
You can choose either tongue-and-groove edges or straight-edge (square-edge) boards. Tongue-and-groove makes installation easier, creates a stronger interlocked floor and helps reduce draughts. Straight-edge boards can be quicker to lay in some situations and are sometimes preferred for certain traditional or repair jobs.
As with all genuine reclaimed timber, you should expect natural imperfections – nail holes, small cracks, occasional resin pockets, and variations in grain. The product page photographs give a clear idea of the character to expect. These features are not defects; they are the reason many customers choose reclaimed pine in the first place.
Why Old Face Reclaimed Pine Is Ideal for Period Properties
Restoring or updating a Victorian, Edwardian or other period home often means matching the original flooring as closely as possible. New timber rarely succeeds. The colour, the grain tightness, the hardness and the subtle surface texture of genuine old redwood pine are extremely difficult to replicate.
Our Old Face boards excel here because they retain the original weathered surface. When laid and lightly finished, they blend beautifully with any remaining original boards and feel completely at home in older architecture. The same qualities also work wonderfully in more contemporary interiors where homeowners want authentic character rather than a uniform, factory-perfect look.
Many customers use Old Face reclaimed pine in:
- Hallways and high-traffic areas of period houses
- Living rooms and reception rooms where character is important
- Kitchens (with a suitable durable finish)
- Extensions that need to connect visually with the original building
- Projects where matching existing Victorian or Edwardian pine floors is required
Practical Advantages of Choosing Reclaimed Redwood Pine
Beyond the looks, there are strong practical reasons to choose this product:
Hardness and durability
Slow-grown old redwood pine is significantly denser and more resinous than modern pine. It resists dents and wear far better, making it suitable for busy family homes when finished correctly.
Stability
After more than a century of drying and seasoning in its previous life, the timber is exceptionally stable. Movement is minimal compared with new timber, provided the boards are properly acclimatised and the subfloor is correctly prepared.
Sustainability
This is genuine recycling. No new trees are felled. Mature timber that has already served one long life is given another. For environmentally conscious homeowners this is a major advantage.
Longevity
A well-installed and well-finished reclaimed pine floor can last many decades and can be sanded and refinished in the future if needed. The solid 20mm thickness gives plenty of material for future restoration.
Value
While the initial cost is higher than new pine, the combination of authenticity, durability and character means the floor adds lasting value and appeal to a property.
Old Face vs Standard Planed Reclaimed Pine
We offer both versions for a reason. Standard planed reclaimed redwood pine is smooth and flat, ready for a final sand after installation. It still has all the colour, tight grain and character of old timber, but the surface is more uniform.
Old Face keeps more of the original texture and weathered appearance. It is the choice for customers who specifically want that extra layer of history and surface interest. Some people prefer the cleaner look of fully planed boards; others fall in love with the more tactile, lived-in feel of the Old Face version. Both are excellent – it simply depends on the look you are after.
Installation and Finishing Considerations
As with all solid wood flooring, proper preparation is essential. The subfloor must be clean, dry, level and structurally sound. Boards should be acclimatised in the property before installation. Professional installers experienced with reclaimed timber will achieve the best results, though competent DIY enthusiasts with the right tools and knowledge can also succeed.
After installation, a light sand is usually recommended to reduce any minor lipping between boards and to prepare the surface for finishing. Because the top face has already been lightly hand-sanded, this final sand is typically less aggressive than with fully planed stock.
Finishes that work particularly well include hardwax oils and quality natural oils. These enhance the rich colours and grain while allowing the wood to breathe and remain repairable in the future. Many customers love the way the Old Face surface takes oil – the existing patina deepens and the character becomes even more pronounced.
Minimum order is 10 m². We recommend ordering 10–25 % extra to allow for cutting, waste and any future repairs. Samples are available so you can see and feel the boards in your own light before committing.
Why Buy Old Face Reclaimed Redwood Pine from Harrogate Flooring?
We specialise in reclaimed pine. We carefully select the timber, remove nails and metal, process the boards in our Yorkshire workshop, and supply them ready for installation. Buying direct means competitive pricing, expert advice on quantities and profiles, and fast nationwide delivery (with particularly convenient service across Yorkshire, including York, Harrogate, Leeds and surrounding areas).
Whether you are a homeowner restoring a period property, a builder working on a sensitive renovation, or a flooring professional looking for authentic material, we are happy to help you choose the right boards and answer any technical questions.
Ready to Bring Genuine Character Into Your Home?
Old Face Reclaimed Redwood Pine Flooring is not just another floorboard. It is timber with history, density, colour and surface texture that only real age can produce. The lightly hand-sanded face preserves the very qualities that make reclaimed pine so special, while still delivering a practical, hardwearing floor for modern living.
If you want a floor that looks and feels authentic from day one – a floor that people stop and admire – this is one of the strongest options available.
Browse the full details, widths and current pricing here:
Old Face Reclaimed Redwood Pine Flooring – 140mm, 165mm, 205mm
Order samples, ask questions, or discuss your project with us. We love talking about reclaimed timber and helping customers find exactly the right boards for their homes.
Get in touch with Harrogate Flooring:
Website: www.harrogateflooring.co.uk
Phone: 07479 235832
Email: sales@harrogateflooring.co.uk
We supply old face reclaimed redwood pine flooring, reclaimed pine floorboards, Victorian pine flooring and other quality reclaimed timber products to homes and projects throughout Yorkshire and across the UK.
Thank you for reading. We look forward to helping you create a floor with genuine soul and lasting beauty.
Harrogate Flooring – Specialists in authentic reclaimed pine flooring, manufactured in Yorkshire and delivered nationwide.