Reclaimed Barnwood

Old barn wood has a unique rustic appearance. It was first harvested 200 years ago by pioneers in the Northwest Territory. The Settlers cut out forest to make farm land, and built many structures with the trees that were cut down. These old trees grew much slower due to the natural forest canopy of older trees blocking out the sunlight. This can be demonstrated in the thickness of each growth ring when comparing old wood to modern grown wood. The old wood can have as many as 200 rings per inch whereas some modern trees have only 4!
The old barns and other buildings have now started to give way to the test of time. Many need repairs that with the modern cost of lumber and labor makes them obsolete. So these are good sources of reclaimed old growth lumber. Many barn salvage companies have sprung up over the last few decades. The old barns are bought for salvage rights and find their way to mill shops to undergo the transformation to reclaimed lumber. Iron nails must first be removed from the old wood. Then it is straightened defected and re-milled and then kiln dried.
The finished product is a unique wood, with many defects still showing such as knots nail holes, buzz saw marks, and some natural stable checking. It has many uses such as reclaimed hard wood flooring, and in making reclaimed barn wood furniture such as coffee tables and pool tables. The market is huge the look and feel of the reclaimed old wood has a way of selling its self.
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