Reclaimed wood or reclaimed lumber is wood that was once part of buildings that have since been torn down. The wood is reclaimed to be used for things like wood flooring. Reclaimed wood is different than salvaged wood which is wood that has been cut down and stored but was not previously used for construction.

History of Reclaimed Wood

During the industrial revolution wood was the principal building material and the sawmill was often the core of any town. Many of these buildings have been condemned or decommissioned and need to be torn down. Many companies have started coming in and reclaiming wood as a way of recycling it. Other trades come in and collect metal, wire and additional materials to be reused as well.

Recycled wood flooring and wall paneling is a popular way to reuse this reclaimed wood. The wood comes from mills, warehouses, factories and railways in the US, France and England. As the world view has changed wood has become less commonly used as a building material to help protect the environment. Using reclaimed materials is an environmentally conscious choice and adds a fun design element to your space that you cannot get from new products. Looks aren’t the only element of reclaimed wood that’s desirable. Older wood can feature a tighter grain which helps it to be more hard wearing and resistant to damage.

Common Types

The most reclaimed species of wood include oak, redwood and douglas fir. Longleaf heart pine is a rare species because it takes so long to grow, 10 times as long as a yellow pine. Longleaf heart pine is sought after because it creates such long and strong planks. Oak is a great option for reclaimed wood because it is versatile and has a beautiful finished look and ideal coloring. Oak flooring was very popular in Europe.

Benefits of Reclaimed Wood Floors

When deciding if you want to utilize reclaimed wood many people consider the ecological benefit. Mass deforestation can have a great impact on our environment. Reclaimed wood means that we are reusing resources we have already collected. The environmental impact of reusing a resource like reclaimed wood can be huge.

Additionally, utilizing reclaimed wood can add a piece of history to your home. Your floor may have once been part of the sawmill that helped shape the west in the United States or been part of the railway system in England.

Reclaimed wood makes a big statement and is great in residential and commercial spaces. It is also being used for furniture, cladding and more. As a flooring it adds a wonderful design element that can be modern, hip and even traditional. There are a variety of finishes that can be applied to achieve different looks and adds a lot of texture and style to your space. We can help customize the color to fit your needs and make a beautiful finished product.

Reclaimed wood is installed similarly to other flooring types. The stable nature of it means it can be installed in the same way as solid wood flooring. The acclimation period is longer for these products because of the unique nature of the product. They will need 2-3 weeks to reach the ideal humidity levels. When installed the wood may need some hand scraping to get the edges even because the planks have inconsistences due to the reclaimed nature. The wood will need to be nailed in or glued down when installing to ensure it is properly installed. Floating is not recommended by most manufactures.

Trust a Local Reclaimed Wood Floor Expert in Denver

Reclaimed wood needs much of the same care and maintenance as traditional wood flooring to keep it looking good. Routine care is the ideal way to protect your floor and over time you will need some professional maintenance like a maintenance coat or refinishing. Trust this investment to an experienced Denver area flooring company that knows how to get the most out of reclaimed wood!