Munster, IN, June 6--Sometimes older really is better, especially when it comes to wood.
Golden Aged Industries specializes in wide-plank, Old World floors that are used in higher-end residential jobs, according to the Munster Times.
"There is some competition, as other companies try to mass produce these floors," said owner Tom Golden. "But we have a real niche, doing each floor by hand for custom work."
Golden used to work as a deck hand on yachts in Florida and learned about wood there. An older man showed him how to achieve the look he was after.
First, each piece of flooring is hand-sorted. Then it is hand-scraped, the knots are bowled out, and the edges softened. The floor is then acid-washed, stained and finished.
"I've even used rocks to age the floors," Golden said. "It's a beautiful, Old World look, we make these floors look 100 years old."
Wide plank distressed hardwood flooring is becoming very popular in home decorating. The trend toward vintage is having many homeowners trying their hand at distressing their floors to look decades older, or ordering this flooring from professionals such as at Golden Aged. Many feel these distressed hardwood floors add character and a cozy feeling.
At Golden Aged Industries, the wide plank flooring--which is more costly than typical hardwood floors--is offered in Caribbean pine, walnut, hickory, white, rift and many exotic species. They also have patterned floors such as herringbone, end grain and their specialty, log rounds, in which the end grains are brought together, then cut like a loaf if bread for a very unusual look.
The company also does wood ceilings.
"We've also done a 9-foot nautical star in a home," Golden said. "Business has been very good since we started."
Golden's father-in-law, who lives in Florida, sells the floors there. There are plans to expand, adding one or two distributors in every state.
Prior to the new venture, Golden installed hardwood floors. But now he enjoys the artistic challenge, designing intricate patterns that installers can lay down.
"Ideas just come to my mind about different types of flooring we can do," Golden said. "If someone designs a floor, we can produce it."
