The term antique is tossed around frequently. It seems like anything that is old is considered to be an antique, from furniture to art to cars to views of life. Exactly how old something has to be to be considered an antique is debated vigorously and it should be no surprise that experts and the common-man alike cannot come to a consensus on this.

Fortunately for everyone the government has defined it for us. In 1930 the US government attempted to define antique for its inclusion in the Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act defining them as “works of art (except rugs and carpets made after the year 1700), collections in illustration of the progress of the arts, works in bronze, marble, terra cotta, parian, pottery or porcelain, artistic antiquities and objects of ornamental character or educational value which shall have been produced prior to the year 1830.”

Antique comes from the Latin term antiquus which meant old or ancient. The word has come to mean anything today that is collected or is coveted because of its age, beauty, rarity and a whole slew of other factors. A whole industry has sprung up around them and antique shops can be found in nearly every town in the United States where people hope that one man’s junk can become another man’s treasure.

Since an antique is defined as being over 100 years old that has also spawned several other terms. Collectible describes anything that is less than a century old. Retro has come to mean anything from the 1950s and vintage has come to mean anything from the 1960s. Some experts view an antique as something that is unique in its design and of the highest quality but others disagree. Some rare antiques have a hard time selling while newer objects can sell quickly and are extremely profitable. It is a simple matter of supply and demand.

There is one thing that is seemingly always forgotten when it comes to antiques and that is wood. Antique and reclaimed wood is some of the finest lumber that can be found. It has a grain that produces a beautiful pattern on the wood and it is extremely strong and durable. Companies like Aged Woods can get this from barns that are being torn down and this wood would otherwise be thrown out. Antique oak wood can produce a floor that is second to none and this method is the only way to get antique American chestnut wood. It is something that an antique lover cannot be without.

An antique oak floor would look beautiful in anyone’s home so some antique furniture would go great with it. Why not head on down to your local antique shop or market and check them out, that is after you get your antique reclaimed hardwood floor from Aged Woods!