(ARA) – The reclaimed wood movement has been building momentum for years, and now it’s gone “extreme.” Once, old barns and dilapidated factories served as primary sources for reclaimed woods. Now, flooring manufacturers are ranging farther afield – in distance and time – to find exotic and exciting sources of wood.
Reclaimed wood appeals to homeowners on many levels. First, there is its unique beauty and character, imparted by its age and uses. Second, homeowners often feel they are saving living trees by reusing wood cut decades or centuries ago. And, in the latest trend, rescued wood draws devotees who want to feel they have a piece of history in their own homes.
“With so many choices now available in reclaimed wood floors, homeowners are looking at the history of the wood to really differentiate the product – and their homes – from the rest of the pack,” says Willie Drake, owner and chief buyer of Mountain Lumber, a company that has rescued more than 20 million board feet of pine and other woods.
Domestic sources of reclaimed lumber are now dwindling - and becoming almost routine in the eyes of buyers. A wealth of products can be found in regions like Asia, where ancient structures are commonplace and often viewed as standing in the way of modern progress. Drake’s Mountain Lumber is pioneering the exploration of overseas sources for rescued wood.
Drake has found wood from such exotic sources as:
* A Guinness brewery in Dublin, Ireland – Centuries-old oak Guinness brewery vats have yielded over 25,000 board feet of English Brown Oak. Drake plans to mill the wood into pre-finished European Cooper’s Oak Flooring. “This wood is beautifully preserved and exceptionally durable,” he says. “In the 1940s, Guinness switched to metal vats and many of these enormous wooden vats remained unused until now. They still bear the marks of their history, including the wedges coopers hammered into knots to strengthen them, and impressions left by the iron bands that once wrapped the vats.”
* French and Russian railroad cars – In France, railroad cars dating from the 1920s were scrapped and the lumber, mostly French Oak, recycled. Railcars that once carried passengers in turn-of-the-century St. Petersburg yielded Russian Oak.
* Ming Dynasty Chinese temples – China’s architectural and religious heritage is represented by the numerous temples throughout the country. Sadly, many have been torn down to make way for China’s modernization. “We couldn’t save these temples, but by reclaiming the lumber from them we are able to preserve a piece of their history and rich cultural heritage,” Drake says.
Drake’s company has collected wood from factories, mills, warehouses, barns, piers, cider vats and many other structures. The reclaimed wood has been used in the restoration of major historic sites, including Mount Vernon, home of George Washington; Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson; and Blair House, the official guest residence for the President.
“Preserving the history of wood is as important as the environmental reasons for reclaiming it,” Drake says. “Every piece of rescued wood has a story to tell and many homeowners enjoy being a part of preserving those histories."
To learn more about reclaimed wood, visit www.mountainlumber.com.
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