Renovating with reclaimed timber: what is possible?
We think there’s nothing quite as wonderful as reclaimed timber for renovations: you get the warmth and character of beautiful, old timber, you can keep as much or little surface weathering as you’d like to fit the space, and it’s good for both the planet and your pocket! But we get a lot of questions about what you can use reclaimed timber for in a renovation, and we thought we’d help make it a bit easier.
The short answer is: so many ways! But if you’re interested in a longer answer, read onwards…
Non-structural uses
Non-structural uses are where reclaimed timber can really shine (sometimes literally)! We’ve worked with customers and provided timber for projects of all shapes and sizes, for the tiniest little renovation of a shelf or nook to transforming an entire kitchen including floors and wall panelling. Some of the many uses of reclaimed timber for renovation include:
Reusing hardwood flooring for patching existing holes or replacing damaged existing floors or tired other floor surfaces.
Hardwood decking reused for outdoor decking, but also for a range of outdoor or indoor uses and as feature pieces.
Installing laminated hardwood benchtops in kitchens, bathrooms, and any other spaces where you need a solid and reliable surface for working and playing hard.
Bespoke timber stairs.
For manufacturing bespoke furniture to fit your tastes and spaces, from dining suites to desks, shelves, built in storage, and anything else you can think of.
Decorative exposed beams – beams don’t have to serve a structural purpose, and installing some timber beams can lend a very chic renovated-barn feeling to any space.
Internal doors – pick an interesting timber and build a gorgeous feature into any room.
Decorative or functional panelling or cladding that doesn’t require a specific structural rating.
Outdoor uses such as garden edges, structures, gazebos, sitting areas, or fire pits. Old fence posts and other dense Australian reclaimed hardwoods have already survived years outdoors and will bring that longevity and look to your project.
These are just a few ideas, but the list is honestly endless – if you’ve got an idea, come and visit us in store and we’ll help find the right timber for your project.
Structural uses
Reclaimed timber is tougher to use for structural reasons, but not impossible! There’s a bunch of smart people putting their heads together to figure out how to develop standards and ways of grading reclaimed timber for structural reuse. We’re not quite in that place at Among The Trees, but if you’re planning on using timber for any other use, come and visit and see what’s in stock that will work for you!
