Many Seattle homes built before 1930 still feature their original Douglas fir floors - and for good reason. Old-growth lumber was harvested from massive, slow-growing trees that produced dense, resin-rich boards. These floors resist wear and shrinkage far better than modern softwoods.
Refinishing them often reveals tight grain patterns and a warm glow that’s impossible to replicate with today’s engineered flooring. Some floors have seen multiple refinishes and still have decades left.
It’s part of why buyers love older homes - they don’t just feel solid, they are solid. And every time you walk across those honey-toned boards, you’re literally stepping on Seattle history.