Reclaimed lumber is wood which has been rescued from older buildings like barns, which were torn down after centuries of existence, and has been recycled, to be used in new projects. This wood is quite popular due to its particular look, as well as sustainability and higher resistance.
Although it hasn’t been freshly cut, in some senses this wood is purer than modern, freshly cut wood, as it hasn’t been subjected to as much pollution and treatments, which obviously weren’t present a few centuries ago, which in turn allowed to develop some qualities which new’ wood does not possess.
Oak is the most common type of hardwood in America. It is a strong, heavy wood, which comes in a huge number of varieties. It is a porous wood, which means it has a coarse texture and a less-refined, prominent grain. Oak also has a very distinctive look, which makes it easily recognizable and attractive.
Since it has been around for a fairly long time – the Romans used the same word for Oak and strength – and has resisted decay with great success, salvaged oak is quite common and popular in North America, especially because of its unusual, rustic, vintage look.
The beautiful, rugged look isn’t the only special property which makes reclaimed lumber, such as antique oak, as popular, though. It is said that, partly because it hasn’t been subjected to modern hazards, but rather to centuries of inclement weather, reclaimed wood is even more durable than the freshly cut one. By adding this superior endurance to an already popular hardwood like oak, a perfect material, which is suited for flooring and furniture projects, is achieved.
Reclaimed hardwoods, such as oak, are naturally popular options for flooring, as wooden floors need to be strong and durable, which is obviously something this type of wood can certainly provide. Aside from that, the fact that the wood is reclaimed, and thus already has a distressed look, is a great advantage when it is used as timber flooring, because the already worn in appearance will help hiding posterior wear from frequently being walked on.
Flooring isn’t the only type of project for which reclaimed timber is used though. In fact, reclaimed lumber like oak is frequently used for any projects which are meant to have a rustic appeal, such as patio furniture and homemade items. The mixture of colors and textures, as well as the opportunity to save some trees by reusing beams which are centuries old tends to call to those who are fans of a more traditional decoration, or of a simpler life in general, who prefer to reutilize materials for their charm or for practical reasons.
Don’t be fooled into believing that a piece of furniture or flooring made from salvaged oak won’t work with a modern décor though, because they certainly do complement modern spaces as well as they do traditional ones. Take a look at these for example.
If the fact that reclaimed wood is good for the environment, stronger than other materials, and adds character and warmth to any house isn’t enough to sway you, know that it also adds value to your house to have flooring or furniture fashioned from salvaged wood, which can be a great advantage if you ever decide to sell it, so it is definitely something to consider when having a renovation.
