There are many options on the market for eco-friendly flooring, but reclaimed hardwood flooring arguably holds the most historical value. Salvaged wood can impart a unique look and feel to your floors while lessening the environmental impact of your construction.
Reclaimed flooring is lumber taken from old barns, warehouses, and homes during the demolition process. The wood might also come from ancient lumber found on river bottoms, deserted military installations, or other buildings that have a great deal of reusable wood.
The wood is removed from the building and the nails are pulled out by hand. The wood is then carefully milled for smoothness and appearance. The final product is a unique flooring material with a great deal of density, stability, and character.
Reclaimed hardwood flooring often includes woods that are no longer abundant in nature. Here are the most popular:
By choosing reclaimed hardwood flooring, you are saving modern trees from being cut. Repurposing, or finding a new use for old objects, is why many people choose to use reclaimed wood in their building projects.
The unique look of reclaimed wood is also a benefit--you can rest assured that no two boards are alike, and the final product will be just as unique as the history of the wood itself.
When you use reclaimed wood in your home, you are preserving history. If you know where your reclaimed wood comes from, you can tell its story over and over. Reclaimed hardwood flooring is eco-friendly and definitely unique, but it also carries forth a heritage that deserves to be remembered.
About the author: Shannon Dauphin is a freelance writer based near Nashville, Tennessee. Her house was built in 1901, so home repair and renovation have become her hobbies.
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