American black walnut for Brooklyn Heights brownstones: plank and herringbone sizes, grades, finishes and fit for a parlor floor.
Restoring a brownstone in Brooklyn Heights? Call Joe Avila at (908) 232-6600 or book a virtual consultation.
Brooklyn Heights brownstones were built with dark, rich interiors in mind: carved mantels, pocket doors and deep window casings. American black walnut belongs in those rooms. It is one of the species in our wide plank collection, and every walnut floor we supply is made to order in width, length, grade and finish.
The Species: Juglans Nigra
American black walnut (Juglans nigra) is a North American hardwood, supplied as solid wood in two selections: Superior and Natural. Superior gives a cleaner, more uniform face for formal rooms, while Natural keeps more of the species’ variation, which can suit a family floor or a garden level. Walnut can be supplied unfinished for on-site finishing or prefinished in UV oil or natural oil. Our wide plank page compares it with oak and ash.
Plank Sizes For A Parlor Floor
In the straight pattern, walnut is offered 20 millimeters thick in widths from 91 to 191 millimeters, in random lengths from 500 to 2000 millimeters or more. In general, our solid floors are 3/4 inch thick, with standard plank widths from 3 to 12 inches and random lengths from 2 to 10 feet, and wider or longer boards on request. Brownstone parlors are long and narrow, so planks running toward the front windows usually make the room feel longer. Pair the plank with herringbone in the hall.
Walnut Herringbone And Chevron
Walnut is also made in herringbone, 20 millimeters thick and 91 millimeters wide, with lengths depending on availability. In a brownstone entry or dining room, a walnut herringbone gives the formality the architecture asks for. We have also installed American walnut chevron finished in natural oil, shown here. For angles and layout, see our chevron collection and the herringbone collection.
Want walnut samples for your brownstone? Book a virtual consultation with Joe Avila.
Finishing Walnut
Walnut needs very little help. A natural oil brings out its depth while keeping a matte, hand-rubbed look that suits a historic interior. Our finishing options include Woca Denmark and Rubio Monocoat oils, as well as low-VOC water-based finishes such as Loba. If you want an oak floor with a walnut tone instead, our custom color effects include walnut color oil. Samples are always laid on the floor before a final choice.
Installing Walnut In A Brownstone
Solid walnut is typically nailed, or nailed and glued, to a plywood subfloor, and for wide planks we recommend gluing and nailing where possible. Older brownstones often have uneven joists and original strip floors, so the subfloor is checked before anything is ordered. Walnut also works as a border around an oak field, a detail that suits a brownstone parlor. See our borders and inlays and our installation page.
Ready to plan your walnut floor? Speak with Joe Avila.
Quick Answers
What species is American black walnut?
Juglans nigra, a North American hardwood supplied as solid wood in Superior and Natural selections.
Is walnut available in herringbone?
Yes. Walnut herringbone is 20 millimeters thick and 91 millimeters wide, with lengths depending on availability.
Can walnut be prefinished?
Yes. It can be supplied unfinished or prefinished in UV oil or natural oil.
How is solid walnut installed?
It is nailed, or nailed and glued, to a plywood subfloor; for wide planks, glue and nail where possible.
Begin Your Walnut Floor With Joe Avila
Call (908) 232-6600, email joe@hugginsflooring.com, or book a virtual consultation. Explore herringbone, chevron, wide plank and parquet floors, or our sanding and refinishing and NWFA inspection services.
About The Author
Joe Avila is the founder of Huggins Wood Floor Specialist and leads New York City Wood Floors, a Huggins Wood Floor Specialist brand. He brings 26 years in wood flooring, is NWFA certified (CSI, CI, CWFI, CFS), and teaches AIA, IDCEC and ASID continuing-education courses. See his certifications.
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Contact New York City Wood Floors
Email: joe@hugginsflooring.com
Phone Number: 908-232-6600
Address: 406B West Broad Street, Westfield, NJ, 07090
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