If you are building or renovating a home in Scarborough, wood is a material you will most certainly need. Wood can be used to create everything from the framing of a house to the finishings and furniture inside. While many people simply take a trip to their local hardware store when shopping for wood, a more sustainable option does exist. Salvaged wood is a product that is quickly gaining in popularity because of its unique look, eco-friendly properties and the value that some consumers are finding when searching for it.

What is Salvaged Wood?

Salvaged wood is also known as reclaimed wood. It is a recycled material that is found in a variety of different locations and then used in various Scarborough custom homes or home design projects. Common sources for salvaged wood include old barns, vintage homes, shipyards, factories and industrial buildings, old crates, abandoned schools and used wine casks or whiskey barrels. Sometimes it is collected by novice Scarborough home renovators, and at other times, by salvaging professionals who carefully sort through all of the wood and distinguish the usable pieces from those that would not function well in as home construction materials.

eco renovations with reclaimed wood

Making Reclaimed Wood Safe for the Home

Once the desired pieces of salvaged wood are located, caution must be used before incorporating them into a Scarborough home renovation. This helps to avoid introducing termites or other harmful, expensive insect problems into the space. The wood should be prepared by firing it in a kiln to dry it and kill any unwanted organisms. It is also important that each piece is carefully selected to ensure it has not been treated with chemicals that could endanger your home, family, pets or landscaping.

Popular Uses

Some of the most popular ways to incorporate reclaimed wood into a Scarborough home renovation are by using it to build a deck, as flooring material or for interior or exterior doors in the home. When harvested correctly, this wood is quite durable and contains many beautiful, decorative natural flaws, so it is can also be a terrific choice for building an entire house from the framing up. When doing so, it is important to work with a knowledgeable Scarborough general contractor who understands the material and has an eye for design that will help him to properly incorporate it into the home.

Salvaged wood is a win-win product that tells a story, benefits the environment and offers lasting beauty when used in the design and construction of modern homes. If you dream of reducing your carbon footprint and building something beautiful with this durable, eco-friendly material, the general contracting professionals at Alair Homes Scarborough are ready to help. With years of expertise and knowledge under our sleeves, we provide homeowners with guidance when it comes to green renovation and custom home building practices that are fiscally responsible too. As always, our commitment to quality remains unsurpassed, and we back our promises up with an industry-leading home warranty. To discuss your Scarborough home renovation or custom built home with our team, give us a call and schedule your free, no obligation home consultation.