When we started planning our addition a big focus for us was using sustainable, non-toxic materials wherever possible. We searched for flooring FOREVER. Truly we spent so long trying to find a product that was high quality, sustainable, pre-finished, and durable (hello two dogs, a cat and a baby). We knew all along we wanted a wide plank wood floor. But we also didn’t want to have to go through the process of installing a hardwood floor and then finishing it. Then we found Sawyer Mason (through one of their suppliers Stonewood Products). I ended up having a call with one of their reps, as well as someone at Stonewood Products. And after learning more about the product I knew it was absolutely perfect for our addition.
They very generously supplied the product for this project. I know Craig and I would both say without hesitation we would 100% use this product again. If we end up getting another fixer upper this would be our first choice. (Honestly I wish we could install this in the rest of our house.)
I want to answer some of your most frequently asked questions about the flooring, so more on that below. First I’d like to talk a bit about what I’ve noticed so far and what we chose for our bedroom. Narrowing down the actual flooring we wanted was really hard because there are so many I love. Ultimately we were down to two: Fogg and Oak Bluffs. They are both beautiful, but we decided on Oak Bluffs because it was a better fit to pair with the rest of the existing flooring in the house (you can see a photo of that below).
Having lived with the flooring for a few months now I can say it is noticeably more durable than our white oak hardwood flooring throughout the rest of the house. Maintenance is really easy with Rubio Monocoat Natural Soap and scratches can be repaired with Rubio Monocoat Maintenance Oil though we’ve had no issues since installation.
Check out more photos of the finished space below as well as some of my thoughts about the look and feel. Please feel free to ask any additional questions in the comments. We really love this product and I would absolutely recommend it if you are looking for sustainable, non-toxic flooring.
What is Sawyer Mason Flooring?
Sawyer Mason flooring is a structured wood floor. The flooring is made with a sustainably harvested hardwood core (as opposed to engineered floor which has a plywood core) which makes even wide planks more strong and stable and less likely than traditional flooring to expand, contract or move when exposed to moisture, humidity or temperature extremes. The flooring is also pre-finished with a UV-oiled matte finish which means you can easily buff out scratches anywhere without refinishing.
How is Sawyer Mason Flooring sustainable?
Sawyer Mason flooring is made with 75% sustainably harvested materials. Their glue produces zero emissions and no off-gassing. The UV-oil coating is non-toxic and easy to maintain. There’s a bit more about their sustainable and eco-friendly practices here including where they source materials.
is the flooring durable?
YES. While we’ve only had the flooring installed for about four months, I can see the side by side comparison of this flooring vs. our white oak hardwood flooring throughout the rest of the house. There is a noticeable difference in durability. While you can re-sand this flooring you really shouldn’t need to. The benefit of oiled floors is that you can repair scratches easily with Rubio Monocoat Universal Maintenance Oil (vs poly finish which can’t be spot repaired).
how do you install it?
I would go ahead and say this is probably a DIY if you have some experience. Craig was able to finish installation in about a day and a half. It’s important to acclimate the flooring before installation (flooring must be brought up to ambient indoor temperature, usually 2-5 days with boxes sealed and unopened until ready to install). You can install the flooring using float, glue, or nail & glue. Craig used nail installation.
I really love the feeling of the floor with bare feet.
It has a matte finish so it’s not shiny. And has an aged look to it, which gives the whole space character and makes it feel cozy and lived in. The finish is warm and slightly rustic but with the white pine ceilings and white painted walls I think it gives the room a relaxed coastal, beachy vibe.
One of my favorite things about Oak Bluffs is how well it transitions to the bathroom tile which is Fireclay Tile in Summit. And to the white oak floors in the rest of the house. We recently refinished the floors in the rest of our house with a hardwax oil so the matte finish pairs nicely with the Sawyer Mason flooring. That said the Sawyer Mason floors are noticeably more durable. Even with two dogs and the cat there are no scratches or dings. And I can’t say the same for the flooring throughout the rest of the house.
As you can see from the close up below, the color and finish is absolutely stunning. Sawyer Mason uses a reactive color process that interacts with the natural tannins and sugars in each plank to create a beautiful depth of color. Part of this process is also done by hand for a truly unique effect.
We are so grateful to Sawyer Mason and Stonewood Products for supplying the product for this project. I sincerely hope we get the chance to do another fixer upper because we would absolutely use this flooring again. We still have some finishing touches to add to this room. But we are taking our time and being really intentional with everything we add. I’m so happy with how it turned out. What do you guys think?
Room Details and Sources
Sawyer Mason flooring in Oak Bluffs
Paint colors see this post
Full length mirror
Samsung Frame TV
Media Console
West Elm Bedside Table (DIY makeover)
West Elm Paxton Glider/Recliner
IKEA Pax Wardrobe
Wooden Knobs
Linen Bedding
Organic Cotton Striped Quilt
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