Farmington, N.Y. - Pioneer Millworks has reclaimed nearly 100,000 square feet of gymnasium flooring and 10,000 square feet of bleacher boards from educational institutions across the nation. The new products, hard maple gymnasium flooring with original paint, and bleachers in a mixture of softwoods, are being re-purposed as flooring, fixtures, and more.

Jered Slusser, design expert at Pioneer Millworks explains, “The hard maple used in gym floors is remarkably durable, and has plenty of life left in it even after being salvaged from college and school athletic facilities. The bleachers have a character all their own, from years of use. We're excited to offer these new options to our reclaimed wood products. As always, we can tell you where we salvaged the materials. They could be from a school near you!”

As athletic facilities age and school designs are updated, many educational institutions replace their gymnasium flooring and bleachers. Often sourcing from dilapidated factories and agricultural buildings, the prospect of reclaiming from educational institutions was an exciting opportunity for Pioneer Millworks. They have reclaimed hard maple gymnasium flooring and bleacher boards in a mixture of Pine, Fir, and even Mahogany.

All of Pioneer Millworks’ reclaimed wood products are sourced and made in the USA and the gymnasium flooring is no exception having originally been produced by USA companies for schools and universities. The flooring celebrates original finish and athletic markings in a variety of paint colors – green, yellow, red, grey, black, and blue – creating a random and playful reminder of the wood’s source.

“In some cases, the original finish of the flooring, complete with painted lines and markings, can be left intact to create a very unique appearance. If you’re after a clean look though, the old finish can be carefully milled off revealing the bright, clear tone of the Maple,” continues Slusser.

Designers have created walls, cabinetry, and a variety of fixtures with the gymnasium bleachers, while maintaining the original finish including aisle/row numbers. Pioneer Millworks’ de-nailing team initiated a few new techniques, as they removed not only bolts from the bleacher boards, but also old chewing gum.

To date, Pioneer Millworks has saved over 21 million board feet of antique wood from landfills or other wasteful disposal methods. As the name reflects, Pioneer Millworks was a pioneer in the salvaged and reclaimed antique wood industry. They’re proud to give old wood new life as flooring, timbers, millwork, cabinetry, and more. They fully source and manufacture in the USA in New York and Oregon, in a way that’s healthy for you, their employees, and the environment. Their products offer ecologically conscious homeowners, designers, and builders an alternative to non-sustainable flooring, paneling and millwork without compromising quality, character, or selection. Pioneer Millworks is FSC certified and Green America approved. All of their products are LEED point eligible.

Source: Pioneer Millworks