Reclaimed wood flooring and cladding are among the hottest trends in building design and renovation, appearing in everything from modern offices to luxury homes and retail establishments. However, one thing makes them certain to stick around: the appeal of this environmentally friendly flooring option is here to stay. 

While reclaimed wood flooring and wall cladding’s natural beauty speaks for itself, its rich look is only one of the reasons it is used in both high-end residential and commercial interior projects. Therefore, what makes real reclaimed wood flooring and cladding superior to virgin wood? Here are five reasons why any building project should include salvaged wood cladding and flooring.‍

Reduced Impact on the Environment

By reducing the need for virgin wood from forests, every floor constructed with recycled timber contributes to the preservation of forests rather than their depletion. Every time a builder or property owner chooses recycled wood for a flooring project, the environmental effect of the procedures needed in harvesting, transporting, and processing new wood is also reduced.‍

Easy on the Conscience

Sometimes the only guilt-free option to use some exotic timbers is to use salvaged wood. Using rare or endangered woods—like reclaimed elm—in construction or remodeling projects that could otherwise be discouraged or even forbidden.‍

The Final Result is More Durable

Reclaimed wood from older structures usually originated from larger, slower-growing trees, expanded and contracted several times during its existence, and was exposed to more environmental factors. As a result, the wood is stronger than fresh wood, resists warping, and has a denser, more stable grain. Because of its old-growth background, recovered wood can be up to 40 points tougher on the Janka hardness scale than virgin wood.‍

Adds Interest to Unique Beauty

Because no two pieces of reclaimed wood are alike, they have character and depth. This implies that each item created from recycled wood has a unique past and narrative. After all, each piece of salvaged wood flooring may have a distinct history from a variety of origins, including houses, crates, barns, trains, and even ships. This gives any completed project more charm and intrigue.‍

Rare Woods Add Value

For many of the timbers used to make reclaimed wood flooring, reclamation is the only method to get enough of the material in big enough numbers to finish a project. This is because many, if not most, buildings were constructed out of wood in the past due to the decreased need for sturdy, low-cost construction materials. Today, using huge amounts of these now-rare timbers for flooring projects adds value on its own.

‍Reduces Waste

One of reclaimed wood’s main benefits is that it reduces waste. Sometimes, reclaimed wood is created from wood that was originally utilized in structures that have been abandoned or are scheduled for demolition. 

Instead of being wasted in an abandoned mine, sinking into a riverbed, or eventually withering outside, the lumber may be used again to create incredible furniture and buildings with only a little further production beyond size reduction.

Looks Attractive

Man-made alternatives can never fully match the aesthetic of most solid wood, which has a lovely appearance with natural visual texture from the grain and color of the type of wood. 

Reclaimed wood often has an even more detailed look because it has profited from the conditions of its past existence. This might be reflected in a unique grain pattern, a worn patina, or a unique color that changes with time.

Character & History

One fascinating advantage of reclaimed wood flooring and furniture is that they each have a distinct personality and history of their own. Your table or cabinet could have formerly been an ancient building, a family barn, or a wine barrel. 

If your furniture has a background, it becomes even more distinctive and becomes a fascinating conversation starter for guests. Even stains or textures left behind by a specific event, such as fire damage or places where the wood was reinforced following a storm, may be seen in the wood. 

One of the several benefits of using recycled timber is its inexpensive cost. Due to its significantly lower cost compared to new timber, reclaimed wood may be purchased in greater quantities if money is tight.