What Is Reclaimed Pine? Reclaimed Wood (including pine) is existing wood that has been recycled and reused to meet today’s ever-growing need for sustainable and eco-friendly homes.
What is reclaimed wood, and why is it so popular?
There is a widely held belief that reclaimed wood is more durable, harder and altogether stronger than newly sourced timber. The explanation of this goes deep – basically newer timber comes from second (or third) growth forests and because of this, it has less time to mature and, in turn, harden.
Is pine more dense than oak wood?
Pine weighs less than wood most of the time, because on average all types of pine tree produce wood that is less dense than even the lightest type of oak.
Is pine and Cedar the same wood?
They are in the same family, the pine family, Pinaceae, but a key difference it cedar’s aromatic oil. This begets cedar’s importance for its slow decaying and insect repelling qualities. Cedar, unlike pine, is used as decking without any real need for stain or varnish.
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.
What is reclaimed lumber?
Reclaimed Wood or Lumber has a past and has been used for buildings and structures from the 18th to the early 20th century. The wood is recycled and reused to meet today’s ever-growing need for sustainable and eco-friendly homes and businesses.
Where does your Reclaimed wood come from?
We source our wood from all over the world but predominantly from the UK, USA, and Western Europe. Mostly we carry reclaimed oak and pine, although occasionally we do have other species.
Is reclaimed wood FSC certified?
Not all reclaimed wood is FSC certified; however, it’s helpful to refer to their rules around reclaimed or recycled timber. For it to qualify as FSC certified timber of post-consumer origin, reclaimed wood must have already been used once and have reached “the end of its useful life” for its original purpose.
Does reclaimed wood flooring have to be installed a certain way?
After reclaimed wood is carefully processed into flooring, it is extremely stable and can be installed the same as most solid and hardwood flooring.
Is reclaimed wood a good choice for kitchen or bathroom floors?
Reclaimed wood floor s are a wonderful choice for both kitchens and bathrooms, when you’re selling your property.
What is the strongest feature of reclaimed wood?
The strongest feature in reclaimed wood is the tonal variation. We feel this should be embraced rather than combated. Depending what you choose to finish the floor with ( hard wax oil, traditional wax, lacquer) you will be able to even out the tone of the floor but this will not be as uniform as pre-finished new wood. If you are concerned about achieving the right colour when using reclaimed wood you should speak to your fitter about colouring options.
How old is reclaimed wood?
Age – reclaimed wood can range in age, from 1 to over 400 years old. The specification is important – where it comes from and how old it is.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
How much recycled lumber is produced from demolition?
According to the USDA, one billion feet of recycled lumber is produced from demolishing buildings. When you buy and reuse old wood, you’re also purchasing a piece of history.
What Is Reclaimed Wood?
Reclaimed wood is high-quality “upcycled” wood that’s been taken from various sources like:
Why is reclaimed wood so popular?
Reclaimed wood provides whispers and echoes of the past and looks beautifully aged and unique. Reclaimed wood is popularly used in homes and businesses throughout the country.
What are reclaimed wood beams used for?
Reclaimed wood beams are often used as decorative, exposed elements in your home — trusses, ridge beams, rafters, posts and headers, for example. They can be used “as is,” keeping all their own inherent character. Alternatively, they can be surfaced, ground, hand hewn, sanded or sawn to change their original appearance to better fit in with your design expectations.
How much lumber is produced from demolition?
According to the USDA, one billion feet of usable lumber is produced from demolishing buildings. When you buy old wood, you’re also purchasing a piece of unique history. It’s easy and inexpensive to change up the look of your home with a few reclaimed wood fixtures.
Why is old growth wood more stable than new growth wood?
This is due to old wood having been exposed to many changes in humidity over prolonged periods of time.
Why is old wood stronger than lumber?
Old wood is far stronger than the lumber of today because the pieces originating from before the 20th century received little to no air pollution. Additionally, most old wood comes from virgin timber that grew for many hundreds of years before being cut down by humans.
Why use old wood for feature wall?
When you’re trying to add some character to a room, using old wood for a feature wall provides a contrast against paler tones in the rest of the room. A popular design strategy to use is to keep the rest of your room light and bright, as wood absorbs a great deal of light.
What is recycled pine used for?
Coffee and Side Tables – One of the major ways recycled pine is used for a variety of shapes and sizes of coffee and side tables.
What furniture can be made of recycled pine?
Here are some of the major furniture pieces that can be made out of recycled pinewood furniture. Coffee and Side Tables – One of the major ways recycled pine is used for a variety of shapes and sizes of coffee and side tables. Dressers and Cabinets – Many dressers and cabinets are made out of recycled wood furniture.
What is recycled wood?
Recycled wood is wood that would have otherwise been discarded or not used. Wood is a naturally sustainable material as it can be regrown and replaced. There are a variety of furniture shapes and styles that can be used to make recycled pine furniture. Recycled Pinewood Cabinet (Vietnam)
Why is recycled furniture sustainable?
Recycled and sustainable furniture is a great way to tell the world that you care about the environment. That you are choosing to have a product in your collection that is not only beautiful, but you are also willing to use wood that would have otherwise been discarded and not used.
How long can you use recycled furniture?
Continued use for a long time – Recycled furniture is a product that is can be used for a long period. With proper care, the furniture pieces can be used for many years, even generations.
What is reclaimed wood flooring?
The New and Reclaimed Flooring Company. Reclaimed wood is wood that was once used in mainly older buildings. Usually, these are buildings that were going to be torn down to make way for new construction. Many of these buildings are old houses, old barns, and older office buildings. The wood is then taken off these buildings ...
Is recycled wood harmful to the environment?
No damage to the environment – In using recycled wood there is no damage to the environment. Continued use for a long time – Recycled furniture is a product that is can be used for a long period. With proper care, the furniture pieces can be used for many years, even generations.
What is reclaimed lumber?
Reclaimed lumber is processed wood retrieved from its original application for purposes of subsequent use. Most reclaimed lumber comes from timbers and decking rescued from old barns, factories and warehouses, although some companies use wood from less traditional structures such as boxcars, coal mines and wine barrels. Reclaimed or antique lumber is used primarily for decoration and home building, for example for siding, architectural details, cabinetry, furniture and flooring.
Why is reclaimed lumber so popular?
Reclaimed lumber is popular for many reasons: the wood's unique appearance, its contribution to green building, the history of the wood's origins, and the wood's physical characteristics such as strength, stability and durability. The increased strength of reclaimed wood is often attributed to the wood often having been harvested from virgin growth timber , which generally grew more slowly, producing a denser grain.
What is the most common source of reclaimed wood?
Barns are one of the most common sources for reclaimed wood in the United States. Those constructed through the early 19th century were typically built using whatever trees were growing on or near the builder's property. They often contain a mix of oak, chestnut, poplar, hickory and pine timber.
Why are reclaimed beams more stable than newly cut wood?
Reclaimed beams can often be sawn into wider planks than newly harvested lumber, and many companies claim their products are more stable than newly-cut wood because reclaimed wood has been exposed to changes in humidity for far longer.
What was the main use of reclaimed wood during the Industrial Revolution?
One common reclaimed wood, longleaf pine, was used to build factories and warehouses during the Industrial Revolution. The trees were slow-growing (taking 200 to 400 years to mature), tall, straight, and had a natural ability to resist mold and insects. They were also abundant.
Why was wood used as a building material?
In the United States of America, wood once functioned as the primary building material because it was strong, relatively inexpensive and abundant. Today, many of the woods that were once plentiful are only available in large quantities through reclamation. One common reclaimed wood, longleaf pine, was used to build factories ...
Where does longleaf pine grow?
Longleaf pine grew in thick forests that spanned over 140,000 square miles (360,000 km 2) of North America. Reclaimed longleaf pine is often sold as Heart Pine, where the word "heart" refers to the heartwood of the tree.
What is Reclaimed Wood?
Reclaimed wood is that which has been recycled or repurposed from various sources, including factories, barns, shipyards, stock farms, warehouses, etc. It’s wood that was once new and has since been taken from its place of origin for reuse. At most demolition sites, there’s usually plenty of air-dried wood left behind or discarded, just waiting to be repurposed. Such is the case with reclaimed wood.
Why is reclaimed wood considered a hardwood?
It has stood the test of time and is more climate-resistant than new or virgin wood. As well, most reclaimed lumber was harvested from resilient species of trees, including ash, elm, oak, beech, and maple, which are types of hardwood.
Why is Reclaimed Wood Better than New Wood?
Nowadays, reclaimed wood is highly sought-after for its rustic appeal and old-fashioned charm. It offers a unique, ageless appeal to both furnishings and flooring. In terms of architectural quality, it simply can’t be beaten! Each piece of wood is unique with a character all its own. There are endless uses for reclaimed wood, from home décor to crafting, and its sustainable nature is an additional bonus!
Is Reclaimed Wood Real Wood?
Reclaimed wood is often sourced from real wood, including fir, beech, maple, pecan, and redwood. Lumber from barns on farms in the 19 th century is a commonplace of origin for much of the reclaimed wood used today in North America. These barns were typically built from whatever trees were growing on or near the property, including chestnut, hickory, oak, pine, or poplar.
Does Reclaimed Wood Warp?
In most cases, reclaimed wood doesn’t shrink or warp because of its durable, flexible, and resilient nature. It’s often harvested from mature trees in old forests. The generations of trees in existence today simply aren’t as reliable or resistant to ‘the elements’ (including sun, wind, and rain) as old-growth wood.
What is reclaimed wood flooring?
Reclaimed wood flooring is that which was laid in an old building years ago and has been preserved or repurposed following demolition. It’s usually made from oak, maple or beech ‘strips,’ making it highly durable and easy to maintain. It provides a sense of rustic charm that’s both timeless and elegant.
What is new lumber?
New lumber is virgin wood sourced directly from trees. Using reclaimed wood lessens the demand for ‘new’ or virgin wood, which has been recently harvested from the forest and then manufactured or processed. Now that you know the difference between reclaimed and new wood let’s take a closer look at this in more detail below.
