Using Reclaimed Lumber

[missmanors]

Using reclaimed, also called recycled lumber is becoming popular. One of the reasons that its use is growing in popularity is that this is lumber that is salvaged from old buildings which was made from old-growth trees, and is typically stronger than fresh lumber. This lumber is also denser and has straighter grains than fresh lumber.

It's much better for the environment to reclaim old lumber, as discarding it releases carbon dioxide into the air.

There's no real improvement in the energy-efficiency of a home that has been built or remodeled with reclaimed lumber. Reclaimed timber beams can be beneficial when used to support a structure. The old beams are stable and should remain true, since any warping or shrinking happened decades ago.

There is much hand labor involved with deconstructing an old building, removing any screws or nails, then storing it and milling it into shape. Thus, reclaimed lumber is often more expensive than new lumber.

If you want to be sure of the reclaimed wood that you'd like to use in your project, work with a reputable reclaimed-lumber dealer, or directly with the lumber mill.

It's easy to pick out reclaimed lumber if you are experienced in the field, but most homeowners could be fooled into buying low-cost new lumber as reclaimed wood.

A good deal of reclaimed lumber comes from old factories, water towers, warehouses and barns. The reclaimed timbers have nail and screw holes many times, and can also have rust stains which give the wood a lot of character when used for exposed timbers in indoor areas.

Using reclaimed timber beams in combination with foam-core exterior panels can make a structure extremely energy-efficient.

[homealone]

This is very intresting. I always thought that old lumber was thrown away because once there have been many nails or screws put into it, that the wood would become weaker, and no longer safe to use. I thank you for setting me straight on this. I know it is always better to reuse as many items as you possibly can, though I never would have thought of reusing old lumber. Dont get me wrong I figured that old lumber could be used to build things like dog houses, or bird houses, but I never would have thought to use it to build another home.

[missmanors]

I'm not sure if anyone builds an entire home with reclaimed lumber, as this would be expensive due to the labor cost of removing the nails, screws, etc.

It's often used in the building of additions to existing homes, however. This is a good way to get some really interesting beams that are denser than new ones, and also have nice straight grains.

[patricia]

i saw a great idea on tv..the HG channel....they were staging a home for sale, and decided to take down the wood walls, and use paint instead, and then they took the wood from the walls and used it to make thier new kitchen cabinets!! awesome idea!

i am getting sooooo addicted to that channel. its so much fun to watch and learn, and ever since i have been coming to this forum i have a new hobby!!! thanks! i enjoy this very much.

that channel has soooo many staging shows and remodeling shows, with cheap and good ideas, it can save someone lots and lots of money

[homealone]

Well be sure to let us all know some of the tips, tricks and inexpensive ideas which you learn while watching these shows. I am sure that most of use sure could use this type of information. Heaven knows we all need to find ways to help us keep some money in our pockets where it belongs.