Hello everyone.

I reclaimed a Mahogany (Phillipine I believe) porch floor that I am considering using indoors. The boards are 1 x 4 tongue & groove that were painted. I am currently stripping the paint (great fun). I have a family room on a concrete slab that is currently carpeted. I was thinking of using a vapor barrier over concrete, foam insulation between wood sleepers, and nailing the flooring to the sleepers. Three questions:

Has anyone ever used mahogany porch flooring indoors?

What do you think of the idea under the flooring?

How do you think it will holdup?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Bob

Nothing wrong with your plan as far as I can see. Make sure though, that the hardwood cannot touch the foam installation (styrofoam?) when walking around or you will have incredible squeaks that you wont be able to do anything about.
Think I may have rented a thickness planer and planed the paint off the floor boards though. Wouldn't use mine, lol.
Mahogany (even Philipine) should hold up well for you. I might be inclined to do an oil finish though, and maintain it with paste wax.

Thanks a lot for the reply, Dennis. I had thought about the planer as well and I think I'm going to do just that. Trying to get this oil based paint off these boards is a pain in the ***. Like you, I'm thinking a rental planer is the way to go! Great tips on the insulation and finish, much appreciated.

Another question about the flooring. Would you recommend sealing the bottom of the boards before installing? Thanks

Nope, doesnt do any good, long term. Key is prevention of moisture from below, not protection from it.

Thanks again!