another timber identifying query

All,
we are preparing to add a new bedroom and would like to match as close as possible the existing flooring. This is a post war home in brisbane.

Could someone tell me what type of timber this is (could it be a mix?) or best guesses. :)

I assume the best way to get a close match is to go with recycled boards, but may need to look at the option of using new ones. We have also considered not trying to match at all, but we are also extending the kitchen by a metre so there will a change to the flooring within the room.

thanks in advance
bruce

Thats a tough one. where in bris is it, that may help. I know brushbox was heavily used post war

we are in Norman Park, there is 5 or 6 house in a row with the same layout (and I assume materials) that I have been told were housing commission homes at one stage. dont know if that helps?

What I have done in the past when trying to match flooring where you will notice the change (such as your kitchen extension) is to lift boards from another room - particularly if that room is carpeted. Repalce the boards in the other room & use the lifted ones for the extension. I know it is more work, but at least you get an exact match and don't loose the patina. Even if you were to find the species and manage to track down 2nd hand stuff, flooring from another source will have aged differently and there is more likely to be a noticable transition.

Another option is to colour match the boards as best as possible, lift a few meters of boards in the room you are extending and then intersperse the new ones with the older ones as you re-lay it.

Mackay cedar

Looks a lot like black bean to me. (Castanospermum Australis) sp?

Mick

If it is Mackay cedar or black bean, the saw dust will make you sneeze.
Jim

Black Bean

MacKay Cedar

It's hard to call, but I lean towards the Cedar ever so slightly.

Also, while your looking at the pic of the MacKay Cedar you might enjoy some of the fine examples of Aussie furniture on this site.

G'day.
Bloody hard to pick.

1st 2 pictures look like age darkened Spotted Gum due to Sapwood band and curly grain in the boards. There was heaps of spotted sent to QLD after the war up until the late 60's.

The other pictures show quarter-sawn boards that look a lot like Tallowood or Grey Box.
Photos in general make it difficult to ID.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by brucewil

Could someone tell me what type of timber this is (could it be a mix?) or best guesses. :)

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http://www.timberqueensland.com.au/services.asp#3

thanks for the responses, seems the most likely is mackay cedar. (Larry did seem confident :) ), I forgot to mention that this is the same floor, just viewed from underneath as well as inside, in case there was any doubt.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RossM

Even if you were to find the species and manage to track down 2nd hand stuff, flooring from another source will have aged differently and there is more likely to be a noticable transition.

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given that the new floor will be noticably different anyway, is is worth tracking down the same species, what would be the "nearest" readily available equivilant?

I have sanded a couple of em in mackay. It is a timber that is worth having as a floor. I did one in a beach hut, when i started sanding it our nose started to burn . I did not take much notice and put up with the pain, It was quite intence after about 10 minutes in the room with air bourne dust. My offsider started to grin and pointed to my face, I wiped my nose,and all over my arm was blood. I had heard that sanding mackay cedar will cause a nose bleed if you dont wear a mask.
It is a rich timber. I know of a small stand in mackay were the trees are being grown for special projects. awsome timber.

If you want some replacements, give me a coeeee, i may be able to put in contact with a supplier. Do whatever you can to expose the orignal timber, you have a treasure on your hands. And get the finest sander you can to do the job. Send trevor a call (glock40sw) on this foroum for a referral on a sander in your area.

Larry, yes Id definately be interested in a supplier that has this timber.
we would be after about 400m.
hopefully it will turn out as good as you say, as I am planning to do the whole house with the polished floor.