If you are renovating your home, bring in the natural warmth, beauty, and charm of timber wherever you can.  For something that is truly spectacular, you cannot go past recycled timber, and it can be used anywhere that normal timber is. Here’s what you need to know.

What is Recycled Timber?

Recycled timber is defined as timber that has been salvaged from demolished buildings, factories, wharves, railway yards, bridges, wool stores, and so on.  This timber is still in excellent condition and it is often much more character filled than its new timber equivalent – making it even more beautiful for use in the home.  Recycling timber is environmentally friendly as the timber is reused rather than going to landfill or otherwise being disposed of.

Recycled timber is available in all different sizes and thicknesses and it can be a number of species.  The timber can be left in its original antique condition or it can be re-milled and re-finished to look like new.  The finish of the timber will depend on where it is to be used.

Uses for Recycled Timber When Renovating

If you are renovating your home, you could do a lot worse than to incorporate the natural beauty of recycled timber, and you’d be surprised at how many different uses there are.  Recycled timber can be used for flooring, decking, staircases, benchtops, exposed beams, structural timber, doors, windows, or even as part of your furniture.  Generally speaking, anywhere that you would use new timbers is suitable for recycled timbers.

Considerations When Using Recycled Timber in Renovations

If you are using recycled timber in your renovations, there are some things that you need to keep in mind.  Firstly is the availability of the timber.  Suppliers may not always have the species of timber that you want in stock, or may not have the amounts that you require, so there could be a wait associated while they source the timber species that you want.  In the worst case scenario, you may have to choose a different timber altogether.

You also need to make sure that the recycled timber is ready for re-use. That is, all nails and the like should be completely removed from the timber so there is no danger of hitting metal when sanding or cutting the timber (doing so can cause serious injury).  You also need to check the grading of the recycled timber. This is important as it will tell you what the timber is suitable for, that is, if it is graded for structural use etc.  Also check how the recycled timber will be supplied to you. Will it be fully finished and ready for installation, or will it come rough sanded, so that you can finish it as you like?  Will protective coatings need to be applied?

The final thing that you have to consider is the cost of the recycled timber.  Generally speaking, it will be cheaper than the new timber equivalent but this will depend on the species that you are choosing, the size of the timber slabs or boards, and how it is finished.  Be aware that rarer, harder to source timbers and larger sized timbers will be more expensive.

This article has been reproduced with permission from Home Improvement Pages – www.hipages.com.au