Pine Flooring Shines in the Octavia Art Gallery
Caribbean Heart Pine (Pinus caribaea) – prime, solid, 5-inch wide – flooring was recently used to refurbish the Octavia Art Gallery in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Octavia showcases contemporary fine art, and was looking for high quality flooring to match this motif. They worked with Robinson Lumber Company, also of New Orleans, to select Pine flooring sourced and manufactured in Honduras, where the company has operated since the 1950s. For this project, the Octavia selected the highest quality "heart" lumber. In Honduras, Pine stands that are harvested regrow naturally from trees left behind for that purpose. Due to natural regeneration, there has not been a transition to using a faster growing, less dense species. As a result, Honduran producers are able to export Pine lumber that is similar in size and density to the large timbers produced in the United States in the 1800s that are currently being reclaimed and are in high demand for flooring and other products. Caribbean Heart Pine/Honduras Pitch Pine was the perfect combination of quality, density, appearance and affordability for use in the Octavia Art Gallery.
Although it is Pine, Robinson Lumber Company manufactures and packages Caribbean Heart Pine/Honduras Pitch Pine as hardwood flooring. Users have found that a site applied, natural oil, modified urethane finish enhances the grain and natural beauty of this wood.
— ROBINSON LUMBER COMPANY
Frequently asked questions
What wood species was used for the Octavia Art Gallery flooring?+
Caribbean Heart Pine (Pinus caribaea) was used for the Octavia Art Gallery refurbishment. It was installed as prime, solid, 5-inch wide flooring.
Where is Caribbean Heart Pine sourced and manufactured?+
Robinson Lumber Company sources and manufactures Caribbean Heart Pine in Honduras, where the company has operated since the 1950s.
How is Caribbean Heart Pine regenerated in Honduras?+
Harvested Pine stands in Honduras regrow naturally from trees deliberately left behind for that purpose. Because of this natural regeneration, producers have not transitioned to faster growing, less dense species.
How does Honduran Pine compare to reclaimed American heart pine?+
Honduran producers export Pine lumber that is similar in size and density to the large timbers produced in the United States in the 1800s. Those historic American timbers are currently being reclaimed and are in high demand for flooring and other products.
Is Caribbean Heart Pine sold as softwood or hardwood flooring?+
Although it is a Pine, Robinson Lumber Company manufactures and packages Caribbean Heart Pine/Honduras Pitch Pine as hardwood flooring.
What finish is recommended for Caribbean Heart Pine flooring?+
Users have found that a site-applied, natural oil, modified urethane finish enhances the grain and natural beauty of Caribbean Heart Pine.