What is reclaimed wood? Reclaimed wood can add unique beauty to any of your projects, whether it is a building or a piece of furniture. The most popular type of reclaimed wood that you’ll find is reclaimed barnwood.

But what is reclaimed wood, and what are its common uses? In this article, we’re going to dive into answering these questions so you can better understand what reclaimed wood is and how you can use it.

What is Reclaimed Wood?

Reclaimed wood is processed wood that was saved from old buildings to be reused. Reclaimed wood retailers carefully deconstruct the wood elements in the old structures to preserve the integrity and shape of the boards and beams so they can be used in another project.

Reclaimed Wood History

Reclaimed wood became popular on the West Coast in the 1980s. During this time, construction and lumber experts were becoming concerned that the quality of the wood available to them wasn’t up to par with older materials.

The reclaimed wood movement gained more attention as more consumers and builders began looking for low-waste construction and more sustainably sourced building materials.

Why Is Reclaimed Wood Sought After?

In early United States history, natural forests were abundant, which meant that most buildings were built using wood. Most of the wood used in homes and barns came from incredibly sturdy and mature species of trees that had been growing for centuries. Some of these tree types included American Chestnut, Redwood, Longleaf Pine, and Douglas Fir.

After several years of biological blights and logging, these tree species were much harder to find in nature. Because of this, many of these trees are now illegal to log, making the lumber industry market dominated by fast-growing and less sturdy trees.

Many of the old buildings still standing are built with those slow-growing trees of the early days. Some of these buildings might not be habitable anymore, but the wood is perfect for repurposing in other projects. Reclaimed timber can be used for furniture pieces, wood flooring, and barn siding.

Where to Find Reclaimed Wood

Reclaimed wood usually comes from agricultural, commercial, and industrial buildings that aren’t in use any longer. These dilapidated buildings are full of reclaimed wood. Some of the sources that have the highest-quality reclaimed wood are:

• Coal mines
• Mills
• Wine casts
• Train stations
• Shipping pallets
• Warehouses and factories
• Stables and old barns

Common Applications and Uses

Reclaimed wood is wanted today for its beauty, interesting history, and durability. People often use it for decorative purposes and as sturdy surfaces for tables, walls, reclaimed flooring, and more.

It’s incredibly popular in pubs and restaurants since those old tree species had unusual and rich colors that give the buildings a traditional beauty. Other buildings, such as colleges, offices, and designer homes, also use reclaimed wood for the same reasons.

Benefits of Reclaimed Wood

Reclaimed or salvaged wood isn’t a good idea for everybody, and finding the right cut, quantity, and species can be much more challenging than working with the fast-growing species of today. Reclaimed wood is also more expensive.

Reclaimed wood has many benefits for those who value sustainability and want to create a unique feature in their building or project. Here are just a few:

Reclaimed Wood Can Make Your Building Receive a LEED Certification

The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) Green Building Rating System is a tool used to measure the operation and design of green buildings. Those projects meet some qualifications on a scoring system in several categories, one being sustainable resources and materials.

Receiving a LEED Certification is an excellent way to show that you’re dedicated to protecting the environment, and reclaimed wood can help you with that.

Reclaimed Wood is Unattainable, Exotic, and Rare in Other Places

Many of the previously popular and beautiful tree species aren’t in the lumber market because of their environmental threats and rarity. Using tropical trees is especially frowned upon due to rainforest deforestation. 

It’s possible to find reclaimed wood that’s made from these special and rare species. So, if you want to protect and enjoy the beauty of the forests around you in the world, repurposing and purchasing reclaimed wood is a great starting point.

Reclaimed Wood Will Add Property Value in Most Cases

Reclaimed wood with historical interest will become more valuable over time, especially as more and more people want reclaimed wood. Picking reclaimed wood for your project can add both considerable value and beauty to your space.

Brick Mill, Co., and Reclaimed Wood

If you’re looking for a great place to purchase reclaimed wood, check out Brick Mill, Co. We offer a variety of furniture made using reclaimed wood such as barnwood, oak, and others. We make tables, such as sofa tables, desks, coffee tables, and more.

We get our reclaimed wood from sustainable and locally sourced companies and local millers. So, when you purchase reclaimed wood pieces from us, you’ll feel comfortable knowing that the wood was sourced locally in PA.

Conclusion

What is reclaimed wood? Reclaimed wood is wood that has been saved from old buildings. The type of trees used to build the old buildings were once strong, sturdy, and slow-growing tree species that aren’t around or can’t be harvested anymore.

Repurposing reclaimed wood is one of the best ways to be environmentally conscious about the building materials you’re using for your project. In addition, there are several benefits to using reclaimed material instead of the wood that you can get nowadays, including receiving a LEED Certification, finding and using rare, exotic, and unattainable wood, and increasing property value.

If you want reclaimed wood furniture from salvaged lumber, we offer a wide selection of reclaimed furniture pieces that will bring uniqueness to any room that you put the piece in. There isn’t anything quite like reclaimed wood!

FAQ

What is Reclaimed Wood?

Reclaimed wood is processed wood that has been retrieved from old buildings to be repurposed for new projects. It’s primarily used for home building and decoration, for example, flooring, furniture, cabinetry, siding, etc.

How Long Does Reclaimed Wood Last?

The age of reclaimed lumber will depend on the source of the lumber. For example, reclaimed wood salvaged from old buildings could be over 100 years old, while wood that dates post-industrial can be much younger.

Is Reclaimed Wood More Expensive?

Yes, reclaimed wood is much more expensive than purchasing new lumber from a hardware store. This is because you’re paying for a premium product that has unique characteristics and a story to go with it that cheaper and newer wood doesn’t have.

Why is Reclaimed Lumber a Better Option?

Reclaimed lumber is a better option than new lumber because it’s environmentally friendly. By using reclaimed wood, you’re decreasing the demand for new lumber, which can help curb deforestation.

If the reclaimed lumber you use has been harvested responsibly, it’s considered a renewable resource that helps reduce waste in landfills and the use of environmentally hazardous materials to create new wood.

What Is Virgin Lumber?

Another term you may hear when researching reclaimed material and recycled lumber is virgin lumber. Virgin lumber refers to timber taken from an uncultivated forest. They are typically found in virgin forests with old growth trees that have never been logged.