We have a 1930's bungalo in nw Pennsylvania. The front porch is in dire need of repair/renovation. The tongue and groove floor is weak and soft. The ceiling of the porch has tongue and grove also. We are told by local contractors that we cannot restore original look as these wood products are no longer available. They have suggested we use decking wood which would eventually splinter or a new composite product which would have spaces in the flooring. We are wanting to keep it as close to original as possible. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Get another contractor. T&G wood is still available. You won't find it in the aisle at Home Depot but real limber yards either carry it or can get it. Standard dimensions and widths have changed over the years so you might not be able to get fill-in pieces, etc., but you surely can get materials that can recreate what was there originally.

To quote the bungalow manifesto, "If a tradesman says "it can't be done" fire him for his lack of vision"

Eric's Bungalow Manifesto

Stick to your guns and find someone that understands older homes and the need to keep the house's character intact.

Diane

I agree. Get another contractor. Tongue and Groove boarding is one of the most common materials you can get and are standard for floorboards:

Proof

-James

Find someone else. Any carpenter worth his salt can make tongue and groove floorboards with a table saw or a router if they can't get them in a lumberyard. These guys either don't know how or don't want to be bothered.

I agree with the others. A front porch just a few houses down from us was just completely rebuilt and after restructuring it was finished with T&G with a beautiful edge treatment, stained and it looks great!

Erik lives on my street, just a couple of blocks away so you think we are all just a wee bit paranoid about incurring the wrath of his opinions if we do things wrong?!
I love the manifesto and am proud to have my garage door featured with compliments.

Do it right you will never regret it.

I actually can buy t&g at my local HD & Menards It shouldn't be that hard to find.

Like others said, find another contractor. IMHO, there is nothing as charming as the look of t&g.

I was able to buy some at Armstrong lumber that matched some peices of mine pretty well. I don't know how common they are, but if you're in California, there's one in L.A.

Sorry, I meant Anawalt Lumber.