Putting Old Wood to Good Use

When it comes to timber, what’s old can become new in the hands of artisans, craftspeople and do-it-yourselfers. Anyone with a plan can give reclaimed wood a second chance and another life.

The patina of old hardwood is defined by its imperfections, which themselves are the result of many years of wear and tear. These imperfections -- whether they look rustic or elegant -- form a visual history that can make a table or bench look extraordinary.

Newer wood is another option. A savvy procurer can find it on the floor of a furniture workshop or at a construction site. Whether you plan to use reclaimed wood to build an end table or to lay a new floor for a game room, there are some general rules to follow to get the best product possible.

How to Get It

An online search will generate plenty of companies that sell reclaimed wood. Experts say your best move, however, is to first check with a local lumber company. That move alone will eliminate shipping costs, said Kelly Potter, vice president and owner of Wood Expressions Fine Custom Cabinetry Inc. of Phoenix.

“These wood pieces are usually from old barns, warships found at the bottom of rivers, or old telephone poles and railroad ties,” she said.

Cabinet shops, construction companies and furniture manufacturers are potential goldmines of wood. Those businesses produce a lot of scraps, and most of them are happy to have someone take those scraps off their hands, said Anita Lang, founder and chief executive officer of Interior Motives Inc. of Fountain Hills, Arizona.

“If you know there’s construction going on around your neighborhood, you can ask for the leftovers instead of it going to the landfill,” she said.

Decommissioned historical structures are favorite resources for salvaged wood for woodworker Malachi Milbourn, founder of Against the Grain, a sustainable furniture company in Portland, Oregon. However, reclaimed wood can easily be found in any urban area — often in the most obvious places. Milbourn’s interest in his craft was piqued with old fence boards and pallet wood.

“I love the look of old nail holes and the patina of eroded wood," he said. "There are some great finds going to the dump every day. Free materials have potential and can be saved from the trash.”

DIY Considerations

If you plan to take a hands-on approach to reclaimed wood creations, it helps to know a few guidelines before you get started

The best species:

Wormwood, oak, mesquite and walnut are the most popular woods, according to Kelly Potter, vice president and owner of Wood Expressions Fine Custom Cabinetry Inc. in Phoenix. “These woods are all hardwoods and can stand the test of time in regards to durability.”

Size matters:

Potter suggests that you have a plan in mind before you start shopping. Reclaimed wood can be found in different board lengths. Because of their rarity, the longer and wider boards can be very expensive.

“If you are building a small coffee table you might not need to invest in the longer boards and can use smaller pieces," she said. "This can really save your budget.”

Start small:

Keep the first project simple. The first piece woodworker Malachi Milbourn tried was a reclaimed wood picture frame. The experience was rewarding for Milbourn, founder of sustainable furniture company Against the Grain in Portland, Oregon. He next made a coffee table.

“My recommendation is to (start with) a piece of old fence board or pallet wood with some cracks and knot holes," Milbourn said. "Use sandpaper to get rid of dirt and splinters, and put some oil on it to get the idea of this aesthetic. If you like what you see, you should roll with your idea.”

Going faux:

If finding reclaimed pieces is a challenge, make your own out of new wood. Potter said to imagine the years of wear and tear the piece will endure and create that look with basic tools such as chisels, nails, rocks and rubber mallets. If you know how to use a sandblaster, use it to break out the grain to make the piece look generations older.

A Few Precautions

Reclaimed wood can have a life — or lives — of its own. Confirming whether it has been properly fumigated goes a long way toward ensuring that the time, money and effort that went into that rustic dining table or elegant headboard was not all for naught.

“I have heard stories of boring beetles and termites infesting homes because this step was overlooked. I can’t image having a beautiful piece of furniture made only to have it destroyed by these bugs,” Potter said.

Research will also let you know where the wood came from and if was exposed to chemicals. For example, many old barns were coated with the preservative creosote, which is highly flammable, Potter said.

Milbourn suggested checking the wood for cracks, breaks, holes, nails, metal or anything that may affect the stability and quality of the piece.

“Avoid using old wood with old paint because, as nice as it may look, it may contain lead,” he said.

Showing It Off

Make the most of your reclaimed wood’s patina by using it in pieces that flaunt its appearance. Lang said a large piece that is either functional or attention-grabbing is ideal.

“Tables are great because they really show the wood,” she said.

The wood could be showcased beyond the basic in a number of ways. Lang has worked gnarled branches into chandeliers, used a root ball as the base for a table, and used scraps from a job site to panel a guestroom wall.

“I like the mix of contemporary lines." she said. "I love the juxtaposition of old, recycled elements with new, modern lines.”

Antique touches or pieces that clients bring back from their vacations and incorporate into their current furnishings are among Potter’s favorite designs: Hand-carved angels from Mexico built into a fireplace surround, and old wood carvings from Jerusalem that she integrated into a front door.

“Think outside of the box and don’t look at the wood as what it was, but what it could be,” she said.

Using reclaimed wood also makes an environmental impact. The user saves that wood from the dump, and it's a practical example of green thinking.

“Most old wood is worth saving," Milbourn said. "However, more often than not, these materials end up in the trash daily. Hopefully, more people can figure that out as a renewable resource.”