5 Strategies for Choosing Reclaimed Wood
- Choose Dry, Tight Wood Although reclaimed wood can be visually appealing and adds to your eco-friendly karma, it is pointless to use it if you’re unable to work with it. Before purchase, assess the wood to make sure there’s still enough useable material left. ...
- Examine Wood to Ensure Inner Stability ...
- Choose Distributors Wisely ...
- Be Safe ...
- Remember Beauty ...
How can using reclaimed wood benefit the environment?
Some of the main benefits that The Eco Floor Store love are:
- It has a timeless, rustic appearance
- Reclaimed materials tell a “story”
- Re-using wood preserves natural resources
- Less pollution is created by avoiding further treatment
What to know about using reclaimed wood?
Reclaimed wood saves our forests by simple math: if you use wood that is already been cut, there will be no need to cut new trees to create completely new flooring. Reclaimed Planks Are Wider Eco-friendly benefits aside, there is a lot of aesthetic perks in using reclaimed wood.
How to use recycled wood?
Uses Of Reclaimed Wood
- Furniture. Furniture is a great way to incorporate reclaimed wood in your home. ...
- Decorations. Decor is a great way to use reclaimed wood. ...
- Light Fixtures. Light fixtures are a great way to bring reclaimed wood into your home. ...
- Bed Frames. Bed frames look great when constructed from reclaimed wood. ...
- Countertops. ...
How to build a mirror with reclaimed wood?
Wood-Framed Mirror Tutorial Instructions: Step 1: Cut pine pieces to fit your mirror. …. Step 2: Drill pocket holes at one end of each piece. …. Step 3: Assemble the frame. …. Step 4: Polish and finish the frame. …. Step 5: Cut the plywood backing. …. Step 6: Attach the mirror to the backing.
How old is reclaimed wood?
What is reclaimed wood flooring?
What should I look for when buying reclaimed wood?
Here are some things to watch for:Rotted wood: Look for areas of wood rot and check how deep they go by poking them with a screwdriver. ... Insect damage: Reclaimed wood dealers kiln-dry their products to kill insects. ... Lead paint: Beware of old, painted wood, because the paint may contain lead.More items...•
Is reclaimed wood worth it?
“Salvaged lumber can also be stronger and more durable to work with than new wood,” Theodore continues. “Its greatest appeal though is that every piece is one of a kind and gives you an opportunity to create a design that is truly unique.”
How do you identify reclaimed wood?
Instead, to identify the species, you should examine the characteristics of the wood's graining, color, growth ring density, and whether it is a hardwood or softwood. These are the key characteristics that will hint towards the reclaimed wood's origin.
Is reclaimed wood out of style?
It will remain ever in style without diminishing in value. For most people, the rustic, weathered, and age-old charm that reclaimed wood features bring into their homes is a means of self-expression. Even your most modern, signature furniture pieces can easily adapt and blend into the old-growth wood's beauty.
Does reclaimed wood need to be sealed?
Finish with Wood Sealant. The last step in how to finish reclaimed wood is sealant. Once you apply your wood finish, use a large bristle brush to put a light layer of wood sealant over the lumber. The sealant will protect it against wear and tear, making it more durable in any high traffic or exterior areas.
How long does reclaimed wood last?
Age will vary dependent upon the source of the wood. Old growth wood salvaged from vintage buildings could be over 100 years old while post industrial wood waste may be much younger.
Why is reclaimed wood so expensive?
Price: Reclaimed wood may be more expensive than virgin wood because of the process it undergoes. A dealer sorts and prepares the wood so it's safe for consumer use, and often there is a lot of nail pulling and extra work involved over using virgin lumber.
Does reclaimed wood rot?
Reclaimed Wood Can Be Used Outdoors However, like any other wood materials you might use, it will require some maintenance. Wood — when exposed to the elements — can warp, rot, or swell. You can prevent this and keep your reclaimed wood in beautiful shape by performing proper outdoor maintenance.
How can I tell what kind of wood this is?
Look at the grain The grain texture can determine which kind of wood it is. Woodgrain depends on the species, although hardwoods are usually heavily grained and rough, while softwoods are light-grained with no visible pores.
What is the furniture trend for 2022?
For furniture design trends in 2022, look for curves, texture, and comfort. You'll see lots of curved chairs, sofas with gently sloping arms, and round poufs in velvet, linen, and nubby boucle fabrics. In addition to natural wood tones and vintage pieces, we'll also see a return of black accent pieces.
What is the decorating trend for 2022?
"Darker, more saturated colors are going to be everywhere in 2022," shares designer Hope Austin. "Think wallcoverings and fabrics in bold blues and bright citrines paired with rich espresso and slate finishes."
What design trends are out for 2022?
In 2022, designers are ditching faux-distressed furniture, redoing kitchens to erase the all-white mode, and tossing boho chic throw pillows and wall hangings that are ubiquitous in the farmhouse trend.
Is reclaimed wood better than new?
Reclaimed wood offers a range of sustainability advantages over new wood. Reclaimed wood reduces the devastating impact of deforestation, keeps valuable resources from being landfilled and thoughtfully repurposes wood that has been deemed unworthy.
Why is using reclaimed wood such a good option?
Reclaimed Wood is Durable While people often associate older materials as being less sturdy because they supposedly have more wear and tear, this isn't the case with reclaimed wood. Installed and harvested decades ago, this wood is much stronger, more durable, and all-around more stable than new wood.
Why is reclaimed wood so popular?
Common Uses and Applications Today, reclaimed wood is highly sought after for its beauty, durability, and interesting history. It can be used both as a decorative element and as a sturdy surface for flooring, walls, tables, and more.
Is reclaimed wood a fad?
Although the idea of using reclaimed wood has been around for centuries, it has been popularized more recently by some of the world's top architects, interior designers and furniture designers. With the charm and character reclaimed wood brings to a room, this is one trend that's not going away any time soon.
Who Should I Purchase Reclaimed Wood From?
As you can see, it’s essential that you trust the company that you’re working with. Without trust in the work they’re doing, you can’t ever truly be sure of the product that you’re getting or the quality of it. Like any business, there are a few different ways that you can dig into a source to see if they’re trustworthy. Here are a few filters to run possible sources of reclaimed wood through.
What are some good things to do with reclaimed wood?
Some different pieces of furniture that look great when made of reclaimed wood include chairs and tables or desks. Each of these items adequately shows off the reclaimed wood and can catch the attention of anyone who has the opportunity to see it.
Why is reclaimed wood so popular?
One of the biggest reasons that reclaimed wood started coming into style is because of the environmentally friendly and clean aspect of reusing lumber instead of cutting down new trees . Another big reason is that vintage or somewhat antique look has become very popular among higher-income and larger new homes as well as middle-range homes.
How much does reclaimed wood cost?
In most cases, reclaimed wood can range anywhere from $10 a square foot to around $40. More exotic or premium species of wood can cost even more.
What materials are used in modern homes?
Modern design has taken a big swing towards the use of exposed raw materials such as concrete, wood, and sometimes steel (although steel or metal is much less common). Reclaimed wood paneling, timbers, or flooring are all great ways to include reclaimed lumber in your modern home design.
Why is old growth lumber so hard to come by?
If you don’t already know what “old-growth” is referring to, it’s the wood that takes decades to grow. Old-growth lumber requires an environment that allows it to grow for long periods of time at a painstakingly slow pace. Because these trees grow so slow, they are much stronger than most of the other trees that grow quickly. Think, for example, of the differences between pine and oak. Oak takes much longer to grow and reach maturity and, for that reason, is considerably stronger than pine.
What is de nailing wood?
De-nailing is a really simple process. But it’s not just about removing any and all of the nails that are contained throughout. The other key element within our de-nailing process is removing all metal from the wood. In some cases, wood will have metal ties or other material embedded within it. When we’re reclaiming lumber from different places we check to make sure all of the metal is out. This ensures that there aren’t any unwanted surprises as we cut and shape the wood in the future.
How much does reclaimed wood cost?
Pricing of reclaimed wood varies widely from dealer to dealer and wood type to wood type, but you can count on paying significantly more for it than your standard, run-of-the-mill lumber.
What is reclaimed wood?
Wood that has outgrown its initial function — either through age, use, neglect, or abandonment — but has been repurposed into something else in a different location and with a new role, is called reclaimed wood.
Why should I choose reclaimed wood over commercial lumber?
When you choose reclaimed wood that has been certified and guaranteed by a professional to be durable and healthy instead of commercial lumber , you are making a truly sustainable decision on many levels .
Can reclaimed wood be toxic?
Unfortunately, there are some potential shortcomings to watch out for when deciding to invest in reclaimed wood. Many of these involve toxin s, both natural and human-made.
What is lumber made of?
Lumber for sale commercially today for home and office buildings is usually composed of layers (like thin sheets) of wood glued together with cancer-causing petrochemicals such as formaldehyde. Lumber is harvested from young tree plantations.
What happens if you don't get on the reclaimed bandwagon?
In fact, if you don’t get in on the reclaimed bandwagon soon, it may all be gone. A new generation of sustainable farmers who — instead of merely reclaiming old wood — wishes to return falling-apart barns to their original use through reconstruction.
What is old wood used for?
Old wood that’s been ground up into chips and used as animal bedding or to make particle board (wood chips pressed and glued together) is recycled wood. This wood does not resemble what it once was before recycling.
How hard is reclaimed wood?
Reclaimed wood is 40 points harder and stable on the “Janka Hardness” scale than newly sourced wood. This is the scale that rates the hardness of wood.
Why is reclaimed wood so popular?
Reclaimed wood is famous for its uniqueness, because due to its age, weathering, use, and other factors, each piece is different. This allows companies to make unique furniture designs with no duplication.
How does reclaimed wood help the environment?
Using reclaimed wood decreases the demand for freshly cut virgin wood from forests. This helps preserve the environment rather than deplete it. Then there are the creatures that live in these forests to consider. We’ve all heard of deforestation. This can be reduced by recycling old wood rather than chopping new trees down.
Why is reclaimed wood considered a durable material?
Durability and stability are the essential aspects of reclaimed wood. Because the boards have already undergone or experienced aging, time, and weathering. When companies recycle them, they can make a unique furniture piece with high durability. Wood also airs out and drys over time which makes it harder.New timber carries with it a lot of moisture.
How to make a farmhouse look with white brick?
All you need to do is hang an old reclaimed wood beam over a fireplace and the entire space is transformed. It’s a very popular look that’s used a lot in the Modern Farmhouse with white brick. And it’s so simple to pull off the look. All you need is some white paint and an old beam.
Why use old wood for a project?
Others choose reclaimed wood for its durability and strength. Using old wood for a new project adds a story element to can’t reproduce by other means.
What are the signs of pests in reclaimed wood?
Asymmetrical holes, bugs’ presence, crumbling wood, etc., are a few signs of pests and infestation. Even if you use reclaimed wood for construction projects, make sure you kiln-dry it to kills invasive pests.
What is the rustic look of reclaimed wood?
The unique rustic, aged, weathered and antique look of reclaimed wood endures people to them. If you compare it to new lumber, you’ll see that the rings in reclaimed wood are more numerous, they’re wider and closer together due to the age of the wood.
How long does it take for reclaimed wood to mature?
Most reclaimed wood where originally sawn from old-growth trees which took decades or even centuries, from 200 to 400 years to mature. And the fact is, the more slowly a tree grows, the denser the fiber making it up becomes, which makes them naturally stronger than new timber.
Why is reclaimed wood so precious?
It has history, a story you can tell from time to time whenever you have someone around in your home. Reclaimed wood is wood that has already served a certain purpose, but then then retrieved from its original purpose and reused or repurposed for something else.
Why are new lumber rings more widely spaced?
Rings or grains of new lumber are more widely spaced because they’re not as aged as reclaimed wood.
Why do we use reclaimed wood on Mars?
While you think about traveling to Mars, using reclaimed wood helps us preserve what we already have. Our home – Earth.
Why don't you want bugs in wood?
Bugs you don’t want inside the wood because they can keep damaging the wood or even worse get into your home if you use the wood for furniture or for flooring. Your supplier should be able to tell you the measures that have been taken to eliminate any bugs from the wood.
How to kill bugs in wood?
Suppliers usually kill of bugs using chemicals or by kiln drying the wood, which is often better. Kiln drying kills off the bugs and also removes moisture from the wood.
How to smooth reclaimed wood?
Sand the Reclaimed Wood Down – Smoothen the reclaimed wood by removing splinters or unwanted imperfections. You can make circular motions with the sandpaper pressed against the wood’s surface.
How to make reclaimed wood look antique?
Moreover, it only takes a while to dry up after its application. You only need a lint-free and soft rag, sponge brush, or bristle brush to apply the oil.
What is the best solvent to use to finish reclaimed wood?
White spirits and naphtha are solvents used in reactive finishes. These finishes are durable and protective because the solvents crosslink or join up. This makes it one of the best ways to finish your reclaimed wood.
Why is reclaimed wood so expensive?
Another reason for the high price of reclaimed wood is due to its impossibility to be replicated. Manufacturers cannot imitate the age and character of reclaimed wood. Thus, having it around your house is like owning unique pieces of art.
What kind of wood is used for flooring?
Some wood flooring companies even use and recycled virgin wood from demolished or removed structures. This is one of the most sought-after types of reclaimed wood as they have a unique and beautifully-aged appearance.
Why can't water get through cured wood?
Humidity or water can’t quickly get through the cured film due to its tight network of molecules. There is little space for this on the cured film, so it’s an excellent way to protect your reclaimed wood from being scratched or damaged.
Why is it so hard to separate wood from finish?
It’s hard to separate the finish from the wood as it needs alkalis or acid, strong solvents, and intense heat to do this job.
How old is reclaimed wood?
Reclaimed wood, sometimes called antique (technically at least 100 years old), salvaged or vintage, has many sources; from centuries-old barns to 1940s industrial plants. “It’s a tangible link to the past; a way to preserve history,” says Iain Harrison, marketing director for Pioneer Millworks, a Farmington, New York, based company that specializes in aged wood. Choosing reclaimed wood flooring is mostly a matter of design and personal taste, says Chris Sy with Carlisle Wide Plank Floors in Stoddard, New Hampshire. “There are no structural advantages or downsides. The main driver is whether you like the cracks, the signs of previous use.”
What is reclaimed wood flooring?
For contemporary spaces, a current trend is to whitewash antique oak .
