Reclaimed Wood Flooring Hardwood floors is something I can't get enough of. While the hardwood floors are so appealing, I know that in order to use them it means that forests are cut down and not much forest management is in place to replenish the tree stands.
So, when I heard about reclaimed wood flooring, I got truly excited. I just love it when we encounter a product that allows us to have our cake and be able to eat it too - and that is just what reclaimed wood allows you to do. If you are planning a new home with wood floors or a flooring upgrade for your existing home, be sure to keep reclaimed wood flooring on the top of your list - you will be happy you did!
Reclaimed Wood - Just What is it? Reclaimed wood flooring is created from wood that would typically end up in a landfill or burned or disposed of in some other manner. As we demolish bridges, barns, old building, industrial structures, etc. the wood in these structures are typically just disposed of in the landfills and of use to no one.
Someone thought that there must be a much higher and better use for this wood that was just being disposed of, and they were right on the mark! Many recycling companies have profited from taking this old wood, repairing it, milling it and cutting it into planks. They then market this reclaimed wood to prospective homeowners for new and existing home uses. Due to the fact that there are many wood species and finish options available, it becomes a notable green option for almost anyone.
What Makes Reclaimed Wood Floors Environmentally-Friendly: Floors are eco-friendly first and most importantly because this flooring type permits for the use of wood that would otherwise be disposed of. Giving new life to an old product that is destined to the landfill is about as environmentally-friendly as you can get. Less trees will be cut down as people utilize this eco-friendly option in the construction of their homes.
Being that this wood is older, it was of higher quality than the new wood floors that is presently sold. Old-growth hardwood typically came from virgin forests with very large trees that had a large quantity of quality wood. The longer a tree was able to grow, the stronger the wood it produces. That makes this wood flooring very durable.
What it Will Cost You: Costs of this wood flooring vary quite a bit. The cost depends on the type of wood you select and the grade, and level of finish you desire, much like traditional wood flooring. However, it is important to note that you won't likely pay any more for reclaimed wood than you would for new hardwood flooring.
The costs for the flooring materials will likely range between $3.50 and $7.00 psf, depending on the factors above. Because it installs similar to a traditional wood floor, installing a reclaimed wood floor is ideal for the do-it-yourself homeowner.
Things You Should Consider: As this wood has been recycled, and has been used before, it is likely that there may be imperfections or marks in the wood. Manufacturers typically mill the wood and prepare it for flooring use, but the imperfections remain. Many people feel that these imperfections and marks give the flooring character and it is often a selling point for the wood.
When you select your stain and finish products for your flooring, take care to pick low VOC products. If the products you use to finish your floor have high levels of VOC's, you will experience off-gassing of the volatile organic compounds for many years.
So, when I heard about reclaimed wood flooring, I got truly excited. I just love it when we encounter a product that allows us to have our cake and be able to eat it too - and that is just what reclaimed wood allows you to do. If you are planning a new home with wood floors or a flooring upgrade for your existing home, be sure to keep reclaimed wood flooring on the top of your list - you will be happy you did!
Reclaimed Wood - Just What is it? Reclaimed wood flooring is created from wood that would typically end up in a landfill or burned or disposed of in some other manner. As we demolish bridges, barns, old building, industrial structures, etc. the wood in these structures are typically just disposed of in the landfills and of use to no one.
Someone thought that there must be a much higher and better use for this wood that was just being disposed of, and they were right on the mark! Many recycling companies have profited from taking this old wood, repairing it, milling it and cutting it into planks. They then market this reclaimed wood to prospective homeowners for new and existing home uses. Due to the fact that there are many wood species and finish options available, it becomes a notable green option for almost anyone.
What Makes Reclaimed Wood Floors Environmentally-Friendly: Floors are eco-friendly first and most importantly because this flooring type permits for the use of wood that would otherwise be disposed of. Giving new life to an old product that is destined to the landfill is about as environmentally-friendly as you can get. Less trees will be cut down as people utilize this eco-friendly option in the construction of their homes.
Being that this wood is older, it was of higher quality than the new wood floors that is presently sold. Old-growth hardwood typically came from virgin forests with very large trees that had a large quantity of quality wood. The longer a tree was able to grow, the stronger the wood it produces. That makes this wood flooring very durable.
What it Will Cost You: Costs of this wood flooring vary quite a bit. The cost depends on the type of wood you select and the grade, and level of finish you desire, much like traditional wood flooring. However, it is important to note that you won't likely pay any more for reclaimed wood than you would for new hardwood flooring.
The costs for the flooring materials will likely range between $3.50 and $7.00 psf, depending on the factors above. Because it installs similar to a traditional wood floor, installing a reclaimed wood floor is ideal for the do-it-yourself homeowner.
Things You Should Consider: As this wood has been recycled, and has been used before, it is likely that there may be imperfections or marks in the wood. Manufacturers typically mill the wood and prepare it for flooring use, but the imperfections remain. Many people feel that these imperfections and marks give the flooring character and it is often a selling point for the wood.
When you select your stain and finish products for your flooring, take care to pick low VOC products. If the products you use to finish your floor have high levels of VOC's, you will experience off-gassing of the volatile organic compounds for many years.
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To learn more about Reclaimed Wood Flooring, visit our article Reclaimed Wood Flooring. Also, the article Eco-Friendly Reclaimed Wood Flooring, will give you additional information.
