Why is Reclaimed Wood So Popular?
Reclaimed wood furniture and décor is all the rage, borrowing from the Nordic design aesthetic that encourages to bring the outdoors, inside our homes. What exactly is reclaimed wood? Well, it’s just wood that has been repurposed. So the beams and paneling from an old barn could see new life as shelves or flooring in your home. There seems to be some confusion around what constitutes reclaimed wood, and what the difference is between recycled wood and reclaimed wood. Let’s clear it up.
Recycled wood is wood that has been used before, and reprocessed into a different item; it often changes shape and can be shaved down, re-planed or re-finished. Reclaimed wood retains its original shape and purpose. So, for example, that great, rustic flooring in your house may have served as the floorboards for an old barn, or your new cutting board may have been the door from a train.
There are numerous environmental benefits of reclaimed wood, but let’s be honest here – It just looks good.
Newer timber is made from trees that haven’t been able to grow to their fullest extent, therefore the planks are narrower. Old timber has been allowed to grow for longer, thus growing bigger and able to have wider planks created from it. Reclaimed timber will also have more knots and interesting markings which give the product a greater sense of character and charm. This is one of the reasons we love working with reclaimed wood, because it has so much distinct character. You may notice that some of our Oak and Post products have knots and divots and maybe even a chip or two – these aren’t flaws or defects, they are simply showing the natural characteristics of the wood. When you own a natural wood product, you also own a one-of-a-kind piece, because no two pieces will be identical.
Another difference between old timber and new is that the old will last longer and is less likely to split. Old timber has already been exposed to the elements for quite some time, and has already done all the contracting and expanding that it will do. The grain in reclaimed wood is also denser, so it won’t warp. If you plan on building a deck and want to make sure it stands the test of time, using reclaimed wood will guarantee that it will, because it already has. Some of the wood that we use for our wine racks, picture frames, tables, and coat hangers, comes from barns that have been around for over 200 years. The aging makes the wood resilient and strong, which is why we stand behind the quality of our pieces.
The biggest and most obvious benefit of using reclaimed timber are the environmental considerations. By using reclaimed wood, no trees need to be cut down. This is a benefit that is near and dear to many people, and it’s something that’s important to our team as well. Natural resources on our planet are not infinite, so preserving these resources when and however we can is extremely vital. By using reclaimed wood, you are doing exactly that.
Deforestation is devastating to wildlife as it displaces them from their environment, if they’re lucky enough to survive the process. Just think of all the species, flora, and fauna in our forests. It’s a fragile ecosystem where every piece is valuable and needed for the survival of others.
Not only does reclaimed wood save trees, it saves our landfills. When buildings come down, if the wood isn’t repurposed, it gets sent to landfills, and doesn’t always decompose completely when mixed with other waste. Because of this, it releases methane gas into the environment. Less than 10 percent of wood waste is reclaimed or recycled, and further, less than one percent of wood in construction is from reclaimed or recycled sources.
It’s obvious how important and beneficial reclaimed wood is. It’s stronger, sturdier, better for the environment, and has that characteristic rustic look that so many design lovers are going crazy for. Adding some reclaimed décor will give a sense of character to your home – a charm and essence that cannot be matched with today’s materials. Reclaimed wood, with a history spanning hundreds of years, brings the perfect blend of elegance and warm to any room.
