
We think one of the greenest things is to use materials that are made to last through the ages. End grain wood floors are the epitome of durable and add instant warmth to any space...
Kaswell is one maker of wood block floors, which is made up of 1" thick wood blocks turned on end. With the grains perpendicular to the wearing surface, the floors hold up forever. There's a reason end grain wood floors were once commonly used in factories: they are strong! End grain wood blocks were once even used to pave streets:
The blocks might be strong, but their appearance is as soft and warm as brick.

Shaw's Original Fir...
I love this so much. My jaw actually dropped when I saw the pic. I cannot express in words how drawn to this I am. This now makes me want to build my own home JUST to have this as my floor.
The bamboo on the Kaswell site is gorgeous!
So, so beautiful.
The one problem which should be noted is that if there is any irregularity on the substrate the endgrain tiles can snap in half. Other than that, endgrain is SUPER durable.
I love endgrain flooring. I tried to find it when I built my cabin, but it is almost impossible to find, except for parquet. If anyone is interested, my suggestion is to goodle "mesquite flooring," because if I recall, most of what I found was mesquite.
I would love to use this product. From all of my research, I understand this product will shrink if it is not installed in a climate controlled (a/c) environment. Has anyone installed this product? Any trouble with it shrinking?
Great DIY project!
Although it would be a very thick floor system. Watch out lining it up with adjacent floor materials.
yep, my first thought was oh snap, and not in the cool way, but in like damn, snapped another one in half... endcuts are VERY fragile, and ya, the subfloor better be smooth and as clean as a carrier flight deck, but it does create a dazzling look.
I want it as a big cutting board.
My sister has end-cut bamboo floors in her bathroom, and they are stunning.
The size is definately suitable for a small space or as an inlay feature in a larger space. Would look great laid out in a herringbone or running board pattern.
Years ago "This Old House" used these blocks on a floor of a small apartment, and they actually sanded the corners of each block to make it look like cobblestones. Used sawdust and some sort of liquid--shellac, sealer, etc. to fill in the spaces. It was awesome.
I think they were using lumber found on site, and sliced it into blocks.
beautiful
they are beautiful and very visually interesting!
if you're ever seattle, visit the (relatively) new public library downtown; they used end-grain flooring!
I had visited in Poland a small scale palace which used to be a hunting palace in the countryside. Throught the gates of the building, there was a large hallway space into which carriages used to ride their passengers right up to the feet of the two grand staircases leading up into the palace. The flooring in this space looked like hexagonal cobble stones, which in fact were wooden blocks. Looked sturdy like stone, but was much quieter under the hoofs of the carriage horses.
does anybody know the type of wood in the top photo?
christie, those are Fir strips stained ebony featured at Liz Claiborne (Enyce) New York, NY. The Kaswell Flooring site keeps taking my breath away. Oh, my.
Check out http://www.solumreclaimed.com for more pictures of wood block flooring and countertops.
The reason that it is so hard to find is b/c it is such an easy DIY!
1.Grab 4x4 posts
2.Start cutting 1" sections
3. Save ALL your sawdust
There are two ways to lay the floor
4.1 Glue the wood to panels 4x4 or smaller then attach at the corners leaving 1/8" gap
4.2 Lay the floor loose with a 3/8" gap
5. Fill gaps with sawdust brushing and packing it in.
6. Finish the whole floor with a 50/50 beeswax mineral oil solution
7. Apply beeswax mix once a year.