Reclaimed Wood What It Is Why And Where To Buy It

What Is Reclaimed Wood?

Reclaimed wood is old wood that has been repurposed. For example, it can be old lumber wood from a factory that is transformed into a wine rack, bookshelf, or coffee table. People go to great lengths to find reclaimed wood that makes a stylistic statement about themselves and their homes. As you enter homeowner George Mabry’s front door, your eyes are immediately drawn to the teak staircase crafted from wood reclaimed from a demolition site in Southeast Asia. Outside, the white stucco exterior is accented by a section of redwood siding made from California olive-oil barrels. Using reclaimed wood in a renovation requires more legwork than just stopping at a home center for lumber, but our Cambridge, Massachusetts, project house highlights the unique beauty that used timber can bring to a renovation.

Why Choose Reclaimed Wood?

Chad Beatty, vice president of Elmwood Reclaimed Timber, which collects and sells used wood, says there are four strong reasons why you should get reclaimed wood.

4 Reasons Reclaimed Wood is Better

How Much Is Does it Cost?

Buying reclaimed wood continues to get easier, and in some instances, less expensive relative to the escalating cost of new hardwood. Depending on what kind of wood you’re going for, you will spend $5 to $20 per square foot. The redwood that Mabry bought retails at just under $9 per square foot.

Buying Tips

Where to Buy Reclaimed Wood?

Local shops and a handful of national dealers like Elmwood can be found in phone directory or an Internet search (search under reclaimed wood, reclaimed timber or reclaimed lumber). But beware. There are folks out there trying to make a quick buck selling salvaged wood. Be suspicious of dealers who don’t guarantee their products, who have prices that are unrealistic compared to other bids, and who lack of professionalism–like shoddy paperwork or improper billing.

What Should I Look Out For?

Make sure upfront that you’ll be getting wood that’s been properly treated. Your dealer should agree to scrub the wood clean and use a metal detector to spot any hidden nails. The wood likely will be cut from a large beam, planed and—this is critical–kiln-dried. “Reclaimed wood has been air-drying for probably 150 years,” he says. “The problem there is you’ll get (natural) inconsistencies in the wood–it warps and bends.” That’s why it often needs millwork, particularly for indoor use. Many, but not all, dealers will kiln-dry the newly planed wood, Beatty says. Without that step, the wood could warp again. Kiln-drying also ends any infestation, ensuring that you won’t bring termites into your house with the wood. Once you’ve signed your contract, be patient. Kiln-drying isn’t quick. The wood is heated at low temperatures, a process that can take more than a year for some bigger beams. The more rare the wood, the more likely it is that it isn’t kiln-dried and waiting for you to buy. For the character and beauty it brought to the Cambridge House, it was clearly worth it.