Sustainability and Reclaimed wood – Woodguide.org

Reclaimed wood

Reclaimed wood is gaining more and more importance in furniture, products, construction and interiors, for DIY as well as commercial enterprises. Old buildings, barns, wooden decks, old furniture, boats or wooden crates are common sources of wood for product design.  You can contact demolition companies to find reclaimed wood.

Some types of reclaimed wood, for example railway ties, have toxicity issues because of lead containing paints.

Painted wood can be easily be tested for lead.

 

Read More…Hide

Share this page:

The life cycle   Pro

  Con
   
Low footprint

When you use a material that was considered waste, you reduce the demand for new virgin wood.

Low Energy

A material that was considered waste does not need energy to be produced

  
     

When you use reclaimed wood, especially in small amounts, make sure it is local. Transporting it a long way defeats the point of reusing a waste material.
   
Low cost

You can find reclaimed wood for free, or at a much lower price than new wood

  
Toxicity

Look for information about previous uses of reclaimed wood and whether it has been treated with chemicals. Do not breath the dust from working with old wood unless you know it is safe. For more information see the Tip ( ! ) on the top right.


Show Alternatives »

Bamboo panels

Bamboo stems

OSB

Scaffolding wood

Softwood

Wood meant to be outside probably contains toxic preservatives such as creosote, copper chromium arsenate (CCA) or other pollutants which should not be in contact with humans or animals. Railway sleepers probably contain preservatives, and have been in contact with wastewater from train toilets.

Old paint may contain lead, which you can test easily with a cheap lead testing kit. Lead paint in houses is now banned, but it used to be common practice in the last century, up to the late 70s in some countries.
     
     
Toxicity

Some types of old wood may have been treated or exposed to toxics that are today banned for residential use.
See the Tip ( ! ) on the top right for more information.


Show Alternatives »

Bamboo panels

Bamboo stems

Construction site wood

Northern hardwood

OSB

Scaffolding wood

Second hand particle board

Softwood
     
   
Easy reuse

Massive wood is easy to revamp and reuse.

  
   

Comments


16 + six =