Wood recycling: how to choose recycled wood

Reclaimed wood can be the perfect building material for the next project you’ll be working on. It is adaptable, resistant and ecological. Reclaimed wood could give it a nice rustic look, or it could be re-milled for a new finish. And it can also save you a significant amount of money. Here are some tips on how to find, select, and work with reclaimed wood:

1. Source reclaimed wood directly from its source. You can often get reclaimed wood for a very low price. Start by visiting a demolition site. You might be allowed to look around and select the pieces of wood you want, and if you’re too lucky, you might get them for free! Sometimes demolition companies have agreements to sell bulk reclaimed lumber for a very low price, so they are usually willing to give it to you if you haul it yourself.

2. Ask the merchant about the history of the wood. Ask where the reclaimed wood came from, what its grade is, how it was stored, and other questions about the wood’s history. The information you get will help you decide if the wood is suitable for a certain project or not. If you discover that your reclaimed wood comes from an iconic building or historic warehouse, you’re adding a great layer of character to the project you’ll be working on and even increasing its value.

3. Check for nails or other pieces of metal embedded in the wood. Make sure your dealer gets rid of all nails and other metal bits from the lumber you’re buying. Additionally, you should visually inspect all lumber yourself to ensure it is suitable for your needs. If you notice a black or blue stain on the surface of the wood, this could be an indication that there is some type of metal underneath.

4. Choose reclaimed wood that hasn’t been painted. Choosing wood that has been painted and then sanding the paint off is a big mistake many people make. This could present risks as old paint sometimes has lead and other harmful chemicals that could become airborne during the sanding process. The paint could also see into the wood and stay there even when the paint is removed. Therefore, it is better to get wood that has not been painted.

5. Let the wood get used to the moisture. Before you start building with reclaimed wood, be sure to clean it well and place it in a room where you will be applying it. Moisture in the air will cause the wood to crack, bend and warp. Putting the wood in the room ahead of time gives it a chance to warp a bit and settle before you install it. This helps prevent the wood from warping later, saving you tons of hassle.