Reclaimed wood is one of the biggest trends in modern home renovation and interior design. Considering that reclaimed wood is a sustainable material that doesn’t harm the environment while also having the innate properties of a tree-sourced material, reclaimed wood provides a solution to aligning yourself with the modern zeitgeist. Best of all, many types of sustainable wood are more affordable and versatile than you may imagine. Coupled with modern manufacturing processes, reclaimed wood can add character and history to your home that modern materials (i.e. plastic, rubber) lack.
If you are looking to find out more about reclaimed wood to inform your decision-making, take a look at the reclaimed wood infographic below to learn everything you need to know about:
- Appearance: Reclaimed wood varies in appearance depending on the wood it was originally sourced from. This includes nail holes, saw marks, wear, and patina.
- Age: Many varieties of reclaimed wood come from the early 20th century, which means that it will be more dimensionally stable than newly-sourced wood.
- Wood Species: As you may imagine, nearly every variety of wood that’s been used before is a viable candidate for being reclaimed for later use. Depending on which variety of reclaimed wood you choose, you may be using a blend of various species (i.e. oak, elm, pine, maple, etc.) or species can be segregated to retain a uniform color and grain.
- Process: The process of making commercially-available reclaimed wood means preparing the surface, kiln-drying for stability and pest/mold removal, molding into a new shape, and finally custom crafting pieces for their determined use.
- Reclaimed Wood Uses: There are a variety of uses in homes and commercial buildings that reclaimed wood provides, whether it is used as distressed wood flooring, stairs, countertops, and more. It’s this versatility that lends itself well to creative homeowners and contractors.
- Maintenance and Care: Reclaimed wood does require light care to ensure that it is kept in pristine condition, including regular cleaning and prevention of scratches.
