Reclaimed wood has become popular in home design across a wide variety of projects, including highly desirable flooring. In this blog, we will share the top 10 benefits of using reclaimed wood flooring for both residential and commercial projects.
What is reclaimed wood?
Reclaimed wood simply refers to any wood that has been salvaged from existing structures or uses, such as barn board.
1. Reclaimed wood flooring is sustainable
When it comes to eco-friendly flooring options, reclaimed wood usually tops the list. Since reclaimed wood is salvaged from structures that are no longer in use, by repurposing it for flooring, the amount of waste sent to landfill sites is reduced.
Also, there are always structures being torn down or renovated, providing a continuous supply popping up on markets every day from a wide range of sources. Sustainable wood flooring does not require manufacturing that contributes to greenhouse gases, and in many cases (such as ours), the wood is locally sourced with limited emissions related to long-haul transportation.
2. Reclaimed wood flooring is unique
Sustainable wood flooring is provided by single sources, once. As a result, you will rarely find any two homes or buildings featuring the same type of reclaimed wood.
Although very large supplies are sometimes salvaged, even in these cases, reclaimed wood flooring is cut to order and stained on-site to meet the exact specifications of the client.
3. Reclaimed wood flooring is beautiful
The beauty of reclaimed flooring is unmatched. Through decades of aging, it acquires unique characteristics and a distinct “patina” that flooring companies try to mimic, but never achieve.
From ancient wormholes to years of wear, and dents and scratches to highly textured patterning, the beauty of reclaimed wood flooring is miles apart from mass-manufactured flooring products.
Lovely species include red oak, white oak, walnut, white ash, red pine, cherry, hemlock, red maple, grey elm, and red elm, each with its own unique knots and wood grains.
4. Reclaimed wood flooring is very durable
Reclaimed wood is stronger than new lumber because it tends to be sourced from old-growth trees. Old-growth trees are denser than younger trees, as the wood has spent decades or even centuries building strength and resistance.
When the wood is used for structures such as barns, exposure to the elements seasons the wood, making it even stronger, this makes it less susceptible to warping, expansion, and shrinking with fluctuating temperatures and humidity.
Although the combination of natural seasoning and old growth creates a very durable wood flooring, we still take the necessary step of kiln drying our reclaimed wood for added stability.
5. Reclaimed wood flooring is customizable
Reclaimed wood is completely customizable. You can first choose from an eclectic selection of reclaimed options and then further customize the flooring based on plank size, added textures and patterns, stain colour, and other customizable sustainable wood flooring options such as live edge flooring and saw marks. As a result, you can create a flooring that’s unique to your space.
6. Reclaimed wood flooring is stained on-site
While this might sound like a time-consuming additional step, staining reclaimed wood flooring on-site ensures you have the tone you desire. You can see how different stains appear at different times of day and in different light to ensure they stand up to the typical scenarios in your space.
As a result, you have the ideal stain colour whether you’re matching existing wood work in the room, want to ensure it stands up to other design elements, or just confirm that you like it in your own space, not just in the flooring showroom.
7. Reclaimed wood flooring can be tailored for installation
You can request installation in completely bespoke patterns to add even more character to your reclaimed wood flooring.
From mixing stain colours to create chequerboard floors, herringbone patterns, classic chevrons, or parquet flooring, our expert installers have the skills and tools to craft intricate patterns to your exact specifications.
8. Reclaimed wood flooring can be an affordable option
Many people think reclaimed wood is only available in expensive solid hardwood options. However, it is also available as engineered flooring. This eco-friendly flooring option uses a thin layer of authentic reclaimed wood glued to a stable, solid-mixed wood base, creating a flooring option with the look of reclaimed wood at a fraction of the cost of solid wood.
9. Reclaimed wood flooring is Canadian
Although some reclaimed wood is sourced from our neighbours to the south when a specific species or board type is not available, we source the majority of our plank flooring from Canada.
We have an excellent network that keeps us up to date on a wide range of projects, including locals who know we’re happy to take reclaimed wood off their hands. We can also share stories about where the wood came from, so you have an interesting origin story to tell your guests.
10. Reclaimed wood flooring can suit any style
When you think of reclaimed wood flooring, you probably picture rustic spaces such as country kitchens or cozy vintage log cabins. Reclaimed wood flooring is surprisingly versatile, though, thanks to its customizability.
A well-worn plank of oak might look rustic in its current state; however, we have the expertise to transform it into any style of eco-friendly flooring you desire. For example, we can sand it to a fine finish and treat it with a deep, rich stain to elevate it to suit even the most formal of spaces.
We can take that same plank and stain it with a whitewashed look that creates a modern, scandi, or beachy feel. There really are no limits to the styles we can craft.
Contact the Experts at Revival Flooring
Now that you understand the benefits of reclaimed flooring, you have the inspiration you need to find new uses for this one-of-a-kind flooring.
For more information on the reclaimed wood flooring options available at Revival Flooring, feel free to call us at 705-990-0548 or contact us online.