Reclaimed wood, the easiest way to get old-looking objects

We love wood and that is why we are in favour of its rational exploitation and recovery whenever possible. Old houses and buildings are a very good source of reclaimed wood. Reclaiming it is an act of environmental responsibility and at the same time it makes for a material that product and interior designers appreciate. From reclaimed wood are made floors and decorative walls, furniture and decorative objects with an authentic old look. Using this type of wood results in something new and old at the same time. The wood has time embedded in it and gives the feeling that it comes with part of lived stories, a silent witness of past lives. And that gives it value and weight.

The chances of recovery are even greater than we think

It's not just old houses and fixtures that are sources of reclaimed wood. These sources are mainly used by companies for which reclaimed wood is the raw material. By the nature of their production, they need large pieces of wood, beams, poles or other 'heavy' parts to provide them with as much wood as possible.

For those thinking of bi-cultural activities or items made in a workshop, the source of old wood may be more extensive. Old furniture, parts of a replaced fence, old wooden stairs, aged pergolas, even old chopping boards in the kitchen can be used. All are sources of wood and you'll be surprised to discover clean, healthy wood underneath the dirty, dark layer. I'm not saying there aren't situations where wood can be rotten or attacked by curries so that its use becomes impossible. There are situations like this, but the wood must be fully checked. Because there is a possibility that only some of it is rotten and the rest very good.

Another source of reclaimed wood is old furniture or doors and windows replaced with better ones. What you can do with old doors we have already shown you here. But old furniture can also be used. If it's not badly damaged, with a little repair and refinishing it can be transformed so you'll enjoy using it. And if it is destroyed, you can certainly salvage a drawer front, a leg or a piece of countertop. Such pieces can certainly be used to make interesting objects or furnishings.

Another source of recovered wood is wooden packaging - crates, boxes, crates, pallets.

Treatment and processing before use

It is hard to use wood as it is salvaged from a building or from an old window or furniture. The risk of insect infestation is high and it is good to check this before use. The existence of decay holes is a sign, but you can't be sure that there are still larvae inside. You can check if fresh wood dust appears in the holes from day to day. If so, then there are larvae inside the wood.

If there are holes, it's safer to assume there are larvae. It's not easy to get rid of them, but it's not impossible either. And a reclaimed wood with natural decay holes is much more appreciated. There are commercial solutions for treating damaged wood. Beware, solutions that protect wood from decay are not effective when there is already decay in the wood.

There are also simpler methods of treatment, especially for small pieces of wood. Wood can be put in the freezer and frozen or put in the oven at 60-70ºC. Repeated "smoking" with special solutions or treatment with antifreeze solution are other ways to get rid of decay.

The colour of weathered wood is very fashionable right now. It's those shades of grey that range from bluish grey to dark grey. If you don't like the colour or the wood is too dirty then you can remove the top layer by sanding or planing. The less you remove the more of the natural effect will remain.

Planks that have been outside for a long time also have that effect of structuring - the wood relief design due to the difference in time between late and early wood. Such wood, very finely planed, acquires a very interesting patina.

What can be done with recovered wood

Wood recovered from construction can be used for fencing, gazebos, pergolas or the construction of other buildings. In fact, this was a custom in villages in the past. I remember demolishing various hovels as a child while we were in the countryside on holiday. First there were no sheep, then cows and pigs. As the lonely old grandmother no longer had the strength to keep them, the buildings in which the animals were housed were torn down in the summer, on holiday, by my father with my uncle. The old wood was never thrown away. It was put aside and sorted. What was very rotten, decayed or badly eaten by insects was put out for the fire. The other was checked, the nails removed and put away for other work. The tables we used outside - where we ate in the summer - were all made of such wood. Never resorted to cutting down trees if the work could be done with the old wood.

Reclaimed wood can be used to make decorative objects, table tops or coffee tables, chairs, decorative walls, bed boards, floors. It can be used in various jobs to reduce the amount of 'new' wood used.

What is the most suitable finish

The best finish for reclaimed wood is natural - oil and wax. They best highlight the old look of the wood. The wood can be left with the patina acquired over time or it can be stained in the usual way with stain, after which oil is applied. For better protection, wax can be applied as a final coat.

One way of using reclaimed wood that leads to some great objects is together with epoxy resin. Table tops made from pieces of reclaimed wood and clear or coloured epoxy resin are now very popular. Plus, even if it is infested, if it is put in resin there is no danger of those decays getting out and infesting other wooden objects.

If you are a DIY enthusiast, don't immediately think of "new" wood when you want to do a job. Check first the possibility of using reclaimed wood from various sources. This will save you money and might make your object even more charming. Good luck!