Reclaimed woods are typically found in less-than-ideal conditions - damaged by disease or natural disasters, exposed to extreme weather and temperature changes. Judging reclaimed wood can be difficult, as there is no shortage of information to wade through. However, two factors are critical to producing products and lumber of the highest quality:
Stability: proper preparation produces reliable lumber

Trees that have stood for centuries have endured a multitude of seasonal expansion and contraction cycles. Timbers from historic structures have withstood all sorts of environmental pressures. As such, this wood is almost immune to additional shrinkage and/or swelling.

We take this natural process a step further by insisting on meticulously kiln-drying and remilling these reclaimed woods, providing customers with a beautiful, reliable product.
  • Moisture: reclaimed wood should be kiln-dried. Reclaimed woods are typically found in less-than-ideal conditions — damaged by disease or natural disasters, exposed to extreme weather and temperature changes. Kiln drying provides several important advantages:

  • Kills Insects: The only effective way to kill dormant insects — which often hide inside the wood — is through high-temperature kiln drying. 

  • Fewer Defects: Kiln drying exposes defects such as cracks, which often deepen and splinter over time. This allows us to remove any visible defects before using or selling the wood.

  • Better Performance: Kiln-drying—as opposed to air-drying—provides a consistent, low moisture content. This means that wood is more likely to stay tight and flat.

Click here to download a PDF describing the characteristics of reclaimed wood.