(RE)WARD: Benefits of Reclaimed Wood
June 30, 2015 benefits of reclaimed wood / environmentally friendly / reclaimed timber products / reclaimed wood
Planning a construction or remodeling project but don’t know what kind of wood to use? Recycled or reclaimed wood is a great way to go. Consider the advantages that reclaimed wood could have on your home or business, and even the environment. You may be surprised at all it has to offer!
Utilize the Unique
The beauty of reclaimed wood lies in its unique patterns, colors and textures. It creates depth and character that adds value to any room or building. The individual dissimilar pieces when fixed together in a completed creation produces a sight that’s one of a kind. You can employ this look for a variety of projects including floors, decks, walls, beams, countertops, cabinets, shelves, and furniture. Not only does recycled timber produce unique beauty but it allows the utilization of rare lumber. Some wood is no longer accessible for commercial use except through reclaimed timber. By reusing older materials, you are also able to incorporate some rare timber into your project.
Hold onto History
Along with the unique appearance of reclaimed wood comes a historical background as well. This wood has a previous life as a barn, a railroad, an old building, or even a wine barrel. At Reclaimed Timber Products, we love 
sharing this history with you! We facilitate this process by labeling each piece of wood that comes into our yard. This way, you’ll be sure to know its past, which you can then incorporate into your new project however you’d like. Even through the refinishing and staining processes you may require, the visible nuances of its history brings character to the atmosphere of your home, business or project.
Go Green
By now you probably recognize that reclaimed wood is reusing old lumber that someone else no longer needs. Another term for this that you’re all too familiar with is recycling. However, it isn’t like going to the thrift store. Reclaimed timber is more like a vintage wine. You’re not just picking up the old worn out stuff that barely has life left in it; you’re taking the opportunity to reuse, refashion, and reclaim this wood to be your own. You can revamp the wood and give it new life. By going this route, you are preserving natural resources and reducing the burden on landfills. Using reclaimed timber minimizes the need for virgin lumber and avoids contribution to deforestation.
Stay Strong
Lastly, reclaimed wood is a stronger and more durable material. While you may think older isn’t usually better, in this case it is. Older wood has had the opportunity to expand and contract for decades or even a century which adds to its sturdiness and longevity. Decades ago, lumber was harvested from mature trees which have a tighter grain and more strength. Today trees are no longer allowed to reach mature sizes and are harvested from first generation forests instead of using old growth trees. Additionally the older wood has had a chance to fully dry out which makes it less prone to warping and splitting. While this type of wood may be more expensive than lumber from a hardware store, it proves to be a solid investment (literally) by providing you with a sturdy product that can endure more wear and tear.
Reclaimed timber offers some great opportunities to add beauty, character, and strength to your project while being environmentally friendly. Consider where you can utilize its advantages in your next project and let us know when you’re ready to get specifics on the reclaimed wood that tells your story best.