Reclaimed Wood Is Good For The Planet
Its obvious that using reclaimed wood is a way of recycling, and any recycling is good for the environment. For every tree size of reclaimed wood we use, there’s one more tree left in the forest. A healthy forest full of trees means more healthy air and ecosystems for every living creature. There are some more in-depth benefits of using reclaimed wood that you probably didn’t know. Here are more ways that reclaimed wood is good for the planet.
Reclaimed Lumber Wood Is Strong
People might think that purchasing virgin wood for new flooring might look nicer, but the fact of the matter is that it is actually weaker than reclaimed wood. The reason being that reclaimed lumber comes from old-growth timber. On the Janka hardness test, a scale that measures the resistance of a sample of wood to denting and wear, it is up to 40 points stronger than virgin wood.
Reclaimed Wood Has A Story To Tell
Using reclaimed wood for a coffee table, chair, or piece of decor will leave the doors open for a story to tell guests. For example, making a new staircase out of reclaimed wood from wood. That was part of your grandfather’s barn would be something interesting to share to guests. Not only is it a way to impress guests, but it is also a way to conserve your family history across generations.
Reclaimed Wood Prevents Deforestation
Deforestation is the permanent destruction of forests in order to make the land available for other uses. An estimated 18 million acres (7.3 million hectares) of forest, which is roughly the size of the country of Panama, are lost each year, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization.
Why does using reclaimed wood play a role in preventing such events? Well, the less new production is needed the better. Other options include looking for wood products that are sustainably certified, which is wood that is produced in a sustainable with minimal effect on the environment.
If harvested responsibly, reclaimed wood is a renewable resource . That reduces landfill waste as well as the use of environmental hazards to manufacture new products. For example, it’s better for the earth to install an engineered reclaimed wood floor than it is to install petroleum-based carpeting or linoleum supplies.