Pros & Cons Of Reclaimed Wood
Reclaimed Wood refers to any type of wood that is used for furniture or building and has already served a lifetime. Most of the reclaimed wood comes from old warehouses, factories, and barns. Besides that, some reclaimed wood can be collected from traditional structures like wine barrels, coal mines, and boxcars. Reclaimed wood comes with some pros & cons as mentioned below;
Pros
- Environment-Friendly: Using reclaimed wood for the construction purpose decreases the demand for new wood that eventually helps to curb deforestation. If reclaimed wood is harvested properly, it can become a renewable resource and reduce the use of environmental hazards used in the new wood manufacturing process.
- Strength: In the Janka hardness scale, reclaimed wood can be 40 points harder compared to new wood due to the fact that the reclaimed wood usually belongs to old-growth trees.
- Uses: Reclaimed wood can be used to manufacture several types of constructions such as cabinets, countertops, tables, wall panelling, decks, hardwood flooring, etc.
- Appearance: Reclaimed wood gives the desirable unique appearance that cannot be achieved with new wood due to the fact that it has weathered and aged well.
Cons
- Price: The price of reclaimed wood is often high compared to new wood due to its reclamation process that is cost-effective.
- Legitimacy: Due to the popularity of reclaimed wood, there are several dealers who claim false wood as reclaimed. It has been recommended to purchase reclaimed wood from reputable dealers.
- Pests: Before purchasing a reclaimed wood, it is necessary to inspect the wood as most pests form their homes inside the wood. The signs of pests are crumbled wood, presence of bugs, and asymmetrical holes.