Flooring Projects for a Reclaimed Bowling Alley
Bowling alley lanes tend to be constructed of wood that will stand up to the test of time and thousands of bowling balls being rolled down them. Just because a bowling alley has gone belly up or it's being torn down is no reason to let that durable, high grade wood go to waste. If you have flooring needs and you want something unique, then reclaiming bowling alley lanes can be a good way to go about the project. Does this Spark an idea?
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Reclaimed Wood
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Reclaimed wood is wood that comes from previously existing structures which have been demolished or taken down. In the past, barns and factory buildings were the big sources of reclaimed wood, but as those resources have been reclaimed, the industry has turned to places like old bowling alleys to get more wood. This wood is sturdy, reusable and up to the task of being built with again.
Age
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There are a lot of words that could be used to describe bowling alley floors. For instance, if the bowling alley is old, it might be antique which generally means the wood is more than 100-years-old. If the wood is not antique, it might be vintage, which is younger than 50 years since its cutting, even if the source it came from was old, such as forest falls or trees that died in fires. Recycled or reclaimed simple means the wood was already used in previous construction and it is now being recycled.
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Construction
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Even though it was once a floor, the wood taken from a bowling alley can be used to fulfill any sort of construction needs in a new project. The boards could be used for walls just as easily as they could be used for floors. You could also use them for non-construction projects, making a former bowling alley floor into a bar or a counter top to add a little bit of style to the decor.
Striking Floors
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A bowling alley floor has a particular look, and anyone that's ever been bowling will recognize the floors immediately. If you want to advertise just where your floors came from, leave the boards exactly as they were when you install them on your floor. You can even install them in your hallways if they're wide enough, giving you a long, straight lane to add a touch of the whimsy to your home.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
