Our recent trip to Rhodium Flooring & Decor in Los Angeles intrigued us as we walked the floor of reclaimed wood designs on display in the showroom.

Roy Akirov, CEO of Rhodium and product sourcing guru, gave guests a casual, yet highly informative, primer on reclaimed flooring products that proved surprisingly different from our prior understanding of this often misunderstood flooring material.

Reclaimed wood flooring has seen a resurgence in recent years, fueled by growing interest in sustainable living and unique, character-rich home designs. Like all materials for the home, however, it comes with its share of pros and cons.

Before choosing and purchasing reclaimed wood for your next flooring project, take a few minutes to understand the realities and common misperceptions surrounding this interesting and versatile material.

What follows are invaluable insights shared with us from a highly-seasoned industry expert.

Table of Contents

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What is Reclaimed Wood?

Though this article focuses specifically on reclaimed wood flooring, it’s helpful to understand the broader world of reclaimed wood.

Stacked planks of reclaimed wood from old warehouse to be processed

Stacked planks of reclaimed wood from old warehouse to be processed

Reclaimed wood is essentially wood that has been salvaged from existing architectural structures or large wooden objects, and repurposed for other applications, such as flooring, wall cladding, furniture, décor items, and structural elements like mantels, beams and posts.

Underneath view of old railway trestles

Old railway trestles

Reclaimed lumber can be salvaged from old structures, such as barns, warehouses, factories, and railway trestles, and given a second life in modern building projects and residential designs. Ideal implementations will showcase a rustic appearance, full of character, with a story to tell from the wood’s previous life.

Keep in mind that even discarded wood items, such as old railroad ties, shipping crates and pallets, can be repurposed, as well as wooden “cut-offs” — unusable wood waste found in manufacturing facilities.

Outdoor furniture made from rustic repurposed wood pallets

Outdoor furniture made from rustic repurposed wood pallets

Natural wood waste, such as floating logs and fallen trees, can also be reclaimed and repurposed.

Usually, reclaimed wood is dismantled or salvaged from older structures, or in idyllic cases, historically significant restoration projects. The material is often preferred in special architectural projects when quality, old-growth wood — typically found in older, historic structures — can be sourced. Old-growth wood is known for its unique grain patterns, and is a stronger, denser, more rot-resistant lumber than new wood.

Reclaimed wood planks with rich character and texture

Reclaimed wood planks with rich character and texture

The former wood type is the result of lumber sourced from older, virgin forests, where trees matured naturally over centuries, and resulted in a far better product than contemporary lumber.

Modern day lumber is weaker and more susceptible to decay, wood-rot and instability. The literal beauty in old-growth lumber is that it has roughly ten times the number of growth rings per inch — remember that lesson in elementary school? — making it denser, more aesthetically distinct, and resistant to decay and damage due to pests.

Odd pieces of reclaimed wood to be used for furniture and decor projects

Odd pieces of reclaimed wood to be used for furniture and decor projects

While not all reclaimed wood is old wood — and certainly not old-growth wood — virtually all wood can be reclaimed. What’s important to keep in mind is understanding the pros and cons for specific types of reclaimed wood and its limitations for your specific application.

We would certainly encourage everyone to consider taking on reclaimed woodworking as a hobby. However, homeowners need to be especially discerning when considering the use of reclaimed wood for any major project in their homes. These types of projects will require hiring a professional specialist with proven skills and expertise working with salvaged wood materials.

Reclaimed wood flooring is one such type of project.


 

10 Common Misperceptions of Reclaimed Wood Flooring

Designers, architect and homeowners alike have romantically embraced reclaimed wood for the beauty and unique aesthetic qualities it can impart on a variety of design concepts, when completed artfully with high quality sourced wood.

Wild sunflowers growing next to gray barn wood slats

Wild sunflowers growing next to gray barn wood slats

However, when considering using reclaimed lumber for one’s own home, such as flooring, homeowners must push aside these idealistic images for a hard dose of reality.

Here are several misperceptions pertaining to reclaimed wood flooring of which to be aware:

  1. All Reclaimed Wood is Antique
  2. Reclaimed Wood is Always Less Expensive
  3. Reclaimed Wood is Weaker Than Contemporary Lumber
  4. Using Reclaimed Wood Prevents the Sourcing of New Wood
  5. All Flooring Professionals Have Experience Using Reclaimed Wood
  6. Reclaimed Wood is Healthier & Safer than New Flooring Products
  7. Reclaimed Wood Will Perform the Same as New Wood Flooring
  8. I Can Sell or Barter My Existing Wood Flooring as Reclaimed Wood
  9. There is a Wide-Ranging, Readily-Available Supply of Reclaimed Wood
  10. I Can Store Reclaimed Wood a Long Time Before Using It

 

Misperception #1

All Reclaimed Wood Is Antique

While much of the reclaimed wood available comes from old-growth forests, not all reclaimed wood is antique or centuries old. Some of it may come from more recent structures, making it less historic, but still offering the benefits of being repurposed.

Reclaimed barnwood double sink vanity in Shaker style by Whatman Barn Furniture

Reclaimed barnwood double sink vanity in stylish rustic Shaker style by Whatman Barn Furniture

If you do come across distinctive, antique wood that you would like to repurpose in your home, be open to other applications besides flooring.


 

Misperception #2

Reclaimed Wood Is Always Less Expensive

Many consumers incorrectly assume that because it’s repurposed, reclaimed wood should be more affordable than newly sourced wood flooring.

High-quality reclaimed hardwood flooring planks

High-quality reclaimed hardwood flooring planks, painstakingly sourced and processed

The reality is that reclaimed wood often costs more than contemporary lumber due to three key reasons:

  1. High-quality, unique reclaimed wood is scarce and not readily available
  2. Quality reclaimed wood is time-consuming to extract (preventing damages), to process (hauling, de-nailing, cleaning, refinishing, and milling) and to install (tenaciously shaping and forging into a new space or application)
  3. Reputable reclaimed wood specialists can charge more for their proven, critical skill set, methods, knowledge and professional network
Whole Log Reclaimed Lumber Rustic wood flooring

A beautifully warm, rustic wood flooring manufactured and installed by Whole Log Reclaimed.

The material cost of reclaimed wood can be up to 20% to 30% more than new wood, depending on factors, such as: wood type; wood condition; and where the lumber was sourced.


 

Misperception #3

Reclaimed Wood Is Weaker Than Contemporary Lumber

It’s a common belief that older wood is less durable than new wood. On the contrary, much of high-end reclaimed wood available today is sourced from old-growth forests, which means it was originally harvested from trees that had decades, if not centuries, to mature. This wood is often denser and more durable than many modern softwoods.

Whole Log Reclaimed lumber rustic wood flooring in dining area with lounging dog

Old-growth, wide reclaimed wood planks manufactured and installed by Whole Log Reclaimed

Conversely, new wood might still contain moisture and be more prone to warping or shrinking over time.


 

Misperception #4

Using Reclaimed Wood Prevents the Sourcing of New Wood

Reclaimed wood flooring is often viewed as an eco-friendly option. The common assumption is that wood is repurposed from existing, older wooden structures rather than sourced and manufactured from newly cut trees. Thus, this scenario is viewed as — not incorrectly — helping to reduce deforestation, as well as decreasing waste going into landfills.

Modern steel Danish barn by Worldwide Steel Buildings

Modern Danish Barn in steel by Worldwide Steel Buildings
Image courtesy of Worldwide Steel Buildings

However, this scenario is only true if the original source of the reclaimed wood does not proceed to replace its previous wood with new wood!

An example of an ideal reclaimed scenario would be where an old, still functional, wooden barn is rebuilt with modern materials, in particular metal, for cost-savings and easier maintenance. Thus, much of the reclaimed material would NOT be replaced with newer cultivated wood.

Though using any amount of reclaimed wood materials will certainly reduce the inflow to landfills, wood can be responsibly reused in several environmentally-friendly ways, such as creating mulch and plywood products.


 

Misperception #5

All Flooring Professionals Have Experience Using Reclaimed Wood

Likely the most important insight to retain from this article is the fact you will need to hire a flooring specialist who has proven experience working with reclaimed wood. A highly-experienced and reputable flooring professional without adequate experience working with reclaimed products SHOULD NOT be hired for your project.

A Rhodium Floors installation of an intricate pattern

A Rhodium Floors installation of an intricate pattern
Image courtesy of Rhodium Floors

In short, reclaimed wood is significantly more challenging to work with than newly manufactured flooring. Experienced reclaimed flooring specialists will have the expertise and network to resolve a wide array of to-be-expected challenges when working with salvaged materials.

Be especially wary of any low-ball bid proposals from anyone who is not a reclaimed wood flooring expert. Again, reclaimed wood flooring projects will take significantly longer than new flooring projects, based on the uniqueness of old wood being reconfigured and acclimated into a new environment.


 

Misperception #6

Reclaimed Wood is Healthier & Safer than New Flooring Products

When considering important products and materials for the home, you must perform an adequate level of due diligence to understand the provenance of the materials under consideration.

Preliminary condition of distressed and discolored reclaimed wood planks

Preliminary condition of distressed and discolored reclaimed wood planks

Reputable suppliers of reclaimed wood will be able to provide you in-depth, accurate information on the sourcing of a given batch of reclaimed wood and how it was reprocessed for new use. This includes explaining how the reclaimed wood has been treated and inspected for contaminants, including whether it is safe for homes with children and pets.

Bringing untreated or poorly processed reclaimed wood into your house runs the risk of spreading pest infestation to the structure of your home and existing furniture.

Keep in mind that trustworthy suppliers of reclaimed wood will also have health and safety criteria that must be met prior to considering the extraction of any source of wood.

Another aspect of safety, is the process of thoroughly de-nailing pieces of salvaged wood. One missed nail can seriously damage a saw, as well as endanger the tool’s operator.


 

Misperception #7

Reclaimed Wood Will Perform the Same as New Wood Flooring

The second most important insight to retain from this article is the fact that reclaimed wood flooring will squeak.

DO NOT choose reclaimed wood for your flooring if you are unwilling or unable to live with squeaky floors.

If this is a concern, request to see and experience a comparable installation from any contractor you are considering hiring. Also, ask what can be done to mitigate the inherent squeaky nature of reclaimed wood flooring.

If you can’t live with a squeaky floor but still want the romantic aesthetic of reclaimed wood, look for “replica reclaimed” flooring as an alternative solution.


 

Misperception #8

I Can Sell or Barter My Existing Wood Flooring as Reclaimed Wood

It never hurts to inquire if your floor installer may be interested in your existing wood flooring as reclaimed wood. However, keep in mind that there may be several reasons why your existing flooring may not be valuable, or even salvageable.

Large pile of extracted wood pieces from major renovation project

Large pile of discarded wood from major renovation project

First — to set proper financial expectations — commonly, the best win-win situation between you and your installer might one of two modest scenarios:

  1. Receive a discount on the cost of the demolition of your flooring
  2. Get free disposal of flooring materials in lieu of having to pay hauling fees

Any reputable manufacturer of reclaimed wood will need to extract and inspect a portion of existing wood flooring to assess if the wood can be sufficiently salvaged and is of adequate quality.

For example, the following traits are most common for wood floors that are worthwhile and desirable for reclaiming:

  • Solid, thick hardwood floor planks
  • Wide planks (4 inches or wider)
  • Non-toxic installation methods and materials used
  • Large amounts of wood in a spacious area

Conversely wood floors with the following traits would not be good candidates for becoming reclaimed wood:

  • Engineered wood planks (easily splinter when being removed)
  • Narrow planks (3 inches or smaller that break easily)
  • Wood that is unhealthy to sand (e.g. bamboo dust particles)
  • Flooring that contains unhealthy chemicals (e.g. formaldehyde)
  • Small floor space (insufficient amount of wood to salvage)

Even if your wood flooring is salvageable, keep in mind that only a modest percentage of the original wood can typically be repurposed, e.g.:

  • Best case scenario: between 40% and 60% of original flooring saved
  • “Not best” case scenario: as little as 20% to 30% saved

 

Misperception #9

There is Wide-Ranging, Readily-Available Supply of Reclaimed Wood

Reclaimed wood is a finite resource, and its availability depends on your region and available wood sources. Because salvaged wood primarily comes from older structures, there’s less predictability in supply.

Reclaimed wood planks from old tobacco barn

Reclaimed wood planks from old tobacco barn

Homeowners might not always get their desired type or amount of wood, as it can be challenging to source enough wood of a consistent grade and quality to meet the needs of a project.

Additionally, color and grain variations can limit choices when compared to newly manufactured flooring.

Moreover, wood acquires a particular grain and patina as they age, weather and wear which means, when “matching” reclaimed wood, you should select lumber from the same era.


 

Misperception #10

You Can Store Reclaimed Wood a Long Time Before Using It

The scarcity of reclaimed wood can also lead to the scenario of a homeowner opportunistically “hoarding” valuable salvaged wood, when encountered by chance — to be used for distant, yet-to-be-determined projects.

Pop-up message from Hargreaves' (UK) website that offers customers 6 months of free storage until their project begins.

Pop-up message from the Hargreaves UK website that offers customers 6 months of free storage until their project begins.

In this case, it’s imperative to get expert advice on how to store your reclaimed wood properly (e.g. keep indoors, raised from the floor in a dry, pest-free, out-of-sunlight, climate-controlled space).

To clarify this misperception, reclaimed wood can be stored for long periods of time, but only if it is kept in an ideal setting, with sufficient dryness being most important. Also, whenever bringing salvaged lumber into your home, it needs to be inspected for pests beforehand.

 

Current Trends in Reclaimed Wood

Reclaimed wood has evolved beyond traditional rustic styles. Here are some of the latest trends in the use of this popular material.


 

Mixed Wood Species

Many homeowners are opting for a blend of different reclaimed wood species, mixing light and dark tones to create a dynamic, multi-textured floor. This trend adds a more contemporary look while retaining the charm of reclaimed wood.

Rhodium kitchen with light and dark contrasted wood floor

Kitchen floor with contrasting light and dark wood tone
Image courtesy of Rhodium Floors

Mixing wood types is a great option when needing to cover large floor areas when selection is limited.


 

Intricate Patterns

Installing reclaimed wood in intricate patterns such as herringbone or chevron continues to be a popular trend. These designs bring a modern edge to a traditionally rustic material, allowing homeowners to merge the old with the new.

Rhodium Floors custom reclaimed wood panel with intricate pattern

Custom reclaimed wood panel with intricate pattern by Rhodium Floors
Image courtesy of Rhodium Floors

Creating complex patterns also meshes well with the trend of using different wood types.


 

Wide Planks

Wide plank floors are growing in popularity, and reclaimed wood is a perfect fit for this trend. The wider the plank, the more visible the unique grain and character of the wood will be, making it a stunning statement in any home.

Wide plank reclaimed wood flooring by the Vintage Wood Floor Company

Wide plank prefinished reclaimed wood flooring by the Vintage Wood Floor Company
Image courtesy of the Vintage Wood Floor Company

Similar to the “intricate patterns” trend, some designers are also mixing plank width to create interesting floor experiences.


 

Spreading the Warmth and Character of Wood

Beyond flooring, reclaimed wood is also being incorporated into homes for the following reasons:

  • Adding warmth to large, minimalist modern layouts
  • Improving acoustics within homes with hard surfaces
  • Featuring statement wood designs as art with light fixtures
  • Giving a home personality with interesting sourcing histories
Corporate office space given character and warmth with rustic flooring and ceiling planks

Corporate interior spaces have also been using wood to add character and warmth within office spaces

Example ways that reclaimed wood is being used for statement features, besides flooring, include:

  • Accent Walls & Ceilings
  • Statement Furniture Pieces
  • Prominent Beams and Structural Elements
  • Stylish Barn Doors
Urban Woodcraft Oasis reclaimed barn door with chevron pattern

Urban Woodcraft Oasis reclaimed barn door with chevron pattern


Reputable Manufacturers & Suppliers of Reclaimed Wood Flooring 

(listed by alphabetical order)

Suppliers of Reclaimed Wood for Other Applications

Reclaimed wood hollow faux ceiling beams in kitchen by Box Beam Collection

Reclaimed wood hollow faux ceiling beams in a luxury kitchen by Box Beam Collection


 

Closing Comments

Reclaimed wood flooring can offer a unique and sustainable option for homeowners who value character and eco-conscious living. While typically more expensive and time-consuming to install than new wood flooring, its rich history, durability, and timeless appeal can make it a worthwhile investment for homeowners with the right set of expectations and preferences.

However, all homeowners should be aware of additional potential risks of choosing reclaimed wood for their flooring, such as: potential contaminants; challenging installations; limited availability; and the propensity to squeak. If using reclaimed wood turns out not to be a good fit, you can always choose a “replica” aesthetic style.

For homeowners wanting to replace their older, lackluster-looking wooden floors, we highly recommend contacting a reputable flooring restoration professional before rushing to demolition day. With current best practices, a competent restoration expert may be able to restore your floor to its long-lost, original beauty, at a significantly lower cost and shorter completion time. Who knows — you might already have historic wood flooring worth saving!

If you do choose reclaimed wood flooring, be sure to source from reputable suppliers and only hire an experienced reclaimed wood flooring professional. Carefully consider the pros and cons of prospective reclaimed wood options, so that it will bring warmth, beauty, and intriguing history to your home.


 

Reclaimed Wood Flooring FAQs

  1. Is reclaimed wood flooring safe for homes with children and pets?

Yes, as long as the reclaimed wood has been properly treated and inspected for contaminants, it’s safe for homes with children and pets.

  1. Can reclaimed wood flooring be refinished?

Yes, reclaimed wood can be sanded and refinished, just like new wood, depending on the thickness of the planks.

  1. How can I ensure the reclaimed wood I purchase is eco-friendly?

Ensure you buy from suppliers who follow sustainable practices and can provide certification about the wood’s origins.

  1. Can I use reclaimed wood in humid areas like kitchens or bathrooms?

While it’s possible, reclaimed wood in humid areas needs to be properly sealed and maintained to prevent moisture damage.

  1. Does reclaimed wood require more maintenance than new wood?

Not necessarily, but like all wood floors, reclaimed wood needs regular care, such as cleaning and occasional refinishing, to maintain its beauty.

     

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