Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle: Reclaimed Wood Flooring

In these times of raised environmental concern it makes sense to search out products that both look great and are good for the earth. Reclaimed lumber is definitely one of those materials. Reclaimed lumber is salvaged from old timbers in structures around the world by companies who specialize in this type of work. These companies then dry, cut, and turn the wood into building products that are every bit as beautiful, if not more so, than those made from newly harvested wood.

Why Choose Reclaimed Wood?
As we've already mentioned, reclaimed lumber is a green building material, making it a good choice for anyone concerned about environmental responsibility. Beyond that, however, there are a number of other reasons to choose it for your next big home improvement project.

Reclaimed Wood is Old Growth Wood
Almost all reclaimed lumber comes from the heartwood of old growth trees. That means stronger wood, straighter lumber, tighter grains, and better looks. It's also the only environmentally friendly way to find old growth lumber, since cutting down the few areas of old growth forest that remain today is a major environmental no-no.

Reclaimed Wood Has Already Stood the Test of Time
Another reason to go reclaimed is that it's already experienced seasonal expansion and contraction, usually for a hundred years or more. That means your reclaimed wood flooring is going to hold fast and in place much better, and longer, than a hardwood floor cut from recently harvested, new growth timber.

Reclaimed Wood Has a Story to Tell
Besides being old growth and seasoned, reclaimed products also have a history to tell. Most reclaimed lumber companies track where their wood comes from, and pass that history onto customers. Imagine, your reclaimed wood flooring may start out as a pier in New England, a barn in Brazil, or it have held up an old steel mill in Pittsburgh. Since reclaimed lumber is harvested from sites all over the world, those possibilities are just the tip of the iceberg. And since everybody likes hearing a good tale, you'll be able to talk up the history of your reclaimed wood flooring every time a new guest walks through the front door.

Buying Reclaimed Wood
While reclaimed lumber is an excellent purchase for all the reasons mentioned above, there are a few things to look out for as you shop around. Because reclaimed timber has been around for a while and is likely to have been exposed to some rough conditions before it's rebirth as you living room floor, it's important that it's been kiln dried before you bring it into your home. Kiln drying kills any dormant insects that may have taken up residence in the wood, it exposes defects so they can be cut out before the wood is shipped to you, and it reduces moisture content in the wood to the optimal level for residential installations. The other thing you should do is make sure that the wood is really reclaimed. Some unscrupulous suppliers will include new growth lumber in with older wood. Ask for a pictoral history of the lumber you're getting, and inquire into the heartwood content, vertical grain, and density. If your supplier balks at these requests, don't be afraid to take your business elsewhere.