Do you appreciate hardwood that has unique, even “one of a kind” qualities? Do you want to contribute to a sustainable environment and maybe even save a few bucks along the way? If your answer to those questions is “Yes,” then reclaimed lumber may be the perfect fit for your next home improvement project!
What is reclaimed lumber? It is wood that has been rescued from old houses, barns, abandoned warehouses and factories, docks, and all sorts of other buildings. What are some reasons to use reclaimed lumber? And what are some factors to consider before purchasing and remodeling?
4 Benefits of Reclaimed Lumber
- Reclaimed lumber is a great option for home improvement or decor projects is because it offers truly unique qualities that brand-new hardwood simply does not have. Because each piece of reclaimed lumber comes from old, recycled wood, and has already weathered years of use, no two pieces will be an exact match in color or shape. That truly makes each piece “one of a kind!” Moreover, each piece of reclaimed lumber has its own origin story to tell, which can add depth of meaning to your completed project.
- Reclaimed lumber is often more durable than commonly available hardwood. That’s because these pieces originate in old-growth wood, which nowadays is harder to come by. In fact, pieces of reclaimed lumber can rate up to 40 points higher than newer wood on the Janka Rating System of hardness, (a system that measures the force needed for a standardized metal ball to penetrate wood to a depth of half its diameter).
- Using reclaimed lumber can also be highly cost-effective. Depending on the type of wood you plan to use, selecting reclaimed wood can save you over $10 per square foot!
- If you use reclaimed lumber, you are also making the environmentally conscious choice. Trees may be a “renewable resource,” but at the rate new-growth trees are being cut down, it is hard to imagine that they will be a sustainable resource in the long run. That’s why reclaimed lumber makes such sense; using recycled wood can cut down on the demand for deforestation, while at the same time providing you with those unique, high-quality, and cost-effective attributes mentioned above.
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Author : Tom
