NATIONAL REPORT—At the Bardessono in Yountville, Calif., wood from reclaimed Claro walnut and Bay laurel trees form desks and doors. At the new Jekyll Island Convention Center in Jekyll Island, Ga., reclaimed pine from South Georgia was used to create the flooring in the Ben Porter Salon event room. When the Hotel Vermont opens next April in Burlington, Vt., the hotel lobby will feature reclaimed antique red oak flooring. Using reclaimed wood in flooring, furniture and for other uses is becoming increasingly common in projects as more suppliers collect and revitalize this wood from sources ranging from deconstructed barns to warehouses to churches to homes.
There are many advantages to using reclaimed wood in a project. “You can get LEED points, beauty, character, historical connection and local and regional appeal,” says Jill Oliver, chief design officer, E&K Vintage Wood, a supplier of reclaimed wood products including flooring, beams, siding and furniture.
From a sustainability perspective, using reclaimed wood, especially local wood, requires less energy than that used in the harvesting of fresh wood. “It is the most environmentally friendly wood on the planet,” Oliver says, adding that construction waste accounts for 28 percent of all waste to landfill.
Hardwoods Increasingly More Plentiful
“It should be noted that American hardwoods is a carbon neutral material using much less manufacturing energy than steel, concrete, brick and aluminum,” says Meg Sullivan, director marketing and sales for Reclaimed Table, a maker of furniture and fixtures from reclaimed wood. “In lieu of importing woods from other countries, American hardwoods are harvested tree by tree to ensure water quality and biodiversity remain intact. According to the American Hardwood Promotion organization, America’s hardwood volume has more than doubled since the 1950s.”
From a design perspective, using reclaimed wood provides for grains, textures and coloration not usually available with fresh cut lumber.
“It’s mainly 19th century material,” Oliver says. “It has great historical character and has a great regional story to tell.”
Oliver adds that reclaimed wood is often from old growth trees which offer a tighter grain and a harder wood. Weathering is also an attraction to designers. “The surface is where there is fantastic weathering,” she says. “Our barn siding has vintage paint on it.”
Sullivan says many types of woods are available, including white oak, red oak, walnut, cherry slabs and hickory. “We also stock Douglas Fir/pine timbers for siding and paneling,” she says.
Reclaimed Wood’s Many Potential Uses
Almost anything can be made from reclaimed wood, Sullivan says. “Our customers are mostly from the restaurant and hotel industry, so we have made all types of tables, benches, coffee tables, bakery racks, bars, mirror frames, bus stations, wall panels and doors,” she says.
Deconstructing a building does take some skill to make sure reusable wood is not damaged. Oliver says her company often works with Amish craftsmen. “You can’t just bulldoze a structure,” she says.
In regard to certification and reclaimed wood, Oliver advises those concerned about the source of reclaimed wood to ask for documentation.
Oliver described the cost of reclaimed wood as “cost competitive.” “It is a bit like buying an organic fruit or vegetable,” she says. It can be up to 20 percent more—sometimes more or less.
Also be sure to check out Viridian Wood Products.
Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
