Sustainable furniture from reclaimed wood is made from wood that is not taken from living, standing trees, but is gathered from many different sources. Some companies reclaim wood from buildings that are slated for destruction because of their age or structural inefficiencies. Other materials are taken from the forest floor, for example trees that have fallen naturally that may be covered or buried in the earth. When reservoirs are made they sometimes cover entire forests in the low laying areas, and there are companies working to safely remove trees preserved under the water. Other sources include, but are not limited to, old bridges, railroad ties, and barrels from wineries and breweries.
This industry takes much strain off the harvested forests around the world because it utilizes raw materials that are not newly produced, preserving bio diversity and natural rescores. Much of the reclaimed used for sustainable furniture wood was originally taken from old growth forests, the most durable and desired type of timber, which is not harvested today through sustainable forestry. These forests thrived for thousands of years and the trees grew to unthinkable heights, weathered by rain, snow, and the sun.
These forests were destroyed when mills were built during the industrial revolution and trees were harvested for production. Some of the materials were harvested and shaped over 100 years ago, and the grain, color, stability, and density are unmatched compared to wood produced today. Due to the aging of the wood by time, the reclaimed wood from around the world is stronger than any modern produced hardwood. There are many companies in the United States that sell reclaimed hardwood for use in kitchen cabinetry, construction, decoration, flooring, siding, and sustainable furniture.
True artisans are taking this reclaimed wood and designing it into sustainable furniture for the home and office. This is a process that because of the uniqueness of each piece the process must be undertaken with care, skill, and thought. The end result is not only amazing but also historical. Reclaiming wood from old buildings includes physically extracting the material from the site. Any nails, screws, or foreign objects must be removed. Finally each piece is carefully inspected individually; this will determine the next product it will be made into according to condition, shape, size, and color.
Be careful when purchasing sustainable furniture made form reclaimed wood, due to the high demand sometimes people try to pass off new wood as reclaimed. Sustainable furniture made form reclaimed wood is usually more expensive due to the process related to this industry. To learn more about reclaimed wood visit the Reclaimed Wood Council.