Replies

1. 
   jonsherryl | Feb 18, 2004 12:43am | #1

   Htra, sweetgum is not a very stable wood and seasoning it doesn't necessarilty cause it to change its attitude. It has an average volumetric shrinkage, green to ovendry, of 15.8%. That's almost half again as much as cherry and more than three times greater than an outstandingly stable wood like genuine mahogany. On the plus side though, sweetgum's T/R ratio is a little under 2:1, so it's not quite as prone to cupping as are some other woods commonly used for flooring, such as hard maple or beech.

   If you go with relatively narrow widths, the T&G milling can absorb some instability...and, of course, if you have it quartersawn, you'll further minimize shrinkage problems. Another factor you have in your favor is the location of your job. Humidity levels in Florida don't fluctuate quite as much as interior environments up north where central heating in the winter can drive the moisture content of wood down to 5% or 6%...or even lower. Your bigger concern might be that Florida summers are excessively humid and sweetgum has very poor decay resistance...so, mildew and/or bluestaining could become a problem.

   And one final concern is that sweetgum's average specific gravity is only 0.46, so it's not even as dense as cherry...meaning it's wear properties will be significantly inferior to traditional flooring species, like hard maple and red oak. Quartersawn stock will resist wear a little better than flatsawn...and you'll also want to give it a good hard finish to minimize denting.

   ...So, I guess the bottom line is; yes, you can use it as flooring and its warm reddish brown, cherry-like color will be attractive, but you'll have to pay some attention to dealing with its above limitations.

2. 
   Floss | Feb 18, 2004 05:13am | #2

   I don't know if it will be dense enough for flooring. Most of the gum I have worked with is rather soft, however it has a beautiful ruddy brown color. Like Jon said, with a hard durable finish it would be beautiful if you can live with the dents and dings that will be inevitable. I have also found that the wood is prone to have alot of internal checks. I believe this is due to the interlocking grain, which can make it difficult to mill up without alot of waste.

   J.P.

3. 
   TGF | Feb 18, 2004 05:39am | #3

   Dad put down gum stair treads in 1944. Several families of teenagers have grown up in that house and when I saw it last year it was beautiful. I didnt see much denting or heavy wear on the tread edges. This was heart gum that was sold as "red gum".

   BJ

1. 
   htra | Feb 18, 2004 05:25pm | #4

   I appreciate the answers. I think based on the amount of vaulted ceiling we have (about 1200 sq.ft.) we have decided to use the Sweetgum up there instead. We don't have enough for flooring. We do have access to a portable sawmill and kiln drying.

   I was told that it would be cut at 5/4" and then dried. It would then be milled to 3/4". We do have a nice selection of T&G Cypress available for the ceiling, but if we could use something that we had to cut down because of the house it would be nice.

   I'm passing all your comments on to the contractor. Thanks for your help!

4. 
   PlaneWood | Feb 18, 2004 07:45pm | #5

   I'm not familiar with the different species of Sweetgum, but the one piece I have sure would make nice kitchen cabinets or furniture like pie safes, credenzas, bookcases, etc.  Wish I had more.  I think it would look best unstained.  I would say quarter saw it all.  Will need it kiln dried in order to have it ready in time for the house.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
   PlaneWood