Saturday, December 21, 2013

Reasons To Buy Reclaimed Barn Wood Furniture

By Harriett Crosby


In days gone by trees were available in abundance and used extensively for building purposes. This included building of barns which were usually constructed from the timber of trees growing nearby. Today this timber is being salvaged and used for various purposes, including the manufacture of many different items like tables and chairs. This salvaged timber may even be of varieties no longer available. This is just one of the many reasons why people love to buy reclaimed barn wood furniture.

The fact that the timber used for an item like a chair or a table comes with a history is appealing to many home owners. They feel that they are contributing to the preservation of a piece of the past as well as saving new trees from being cut down. The beams in old barns often came from trees that had been growing undisturbed for many years. This allowed them to develop a distinctive appearance not often found in young trees.

Reclaimed timber also has physical characteristics like stability, strength and durability. As the timber was exposed to many different weather cycles over the years, natural expansion and contraction took place and this tends to make it more stable than new timber. An item made from it is not only attractive in appearance but has lasting quality too.

It is important to deal with a manufacturer who has a good track record. There are those who are passing off fakes as genuine articles due to the great demand. It is preferable to choose a manufacturer who offers some kind of guarantee on the work.

The construction of the item is also of great importance. These beams have to be prepared properly and then constructed in such a way as to make the most of their uniqueness. This requires talent and skills that often only come with experience. Even how the beams are put together, using their colors and grain has to be done with an artistic eye. The items produced vary greatly in quality and it is probably worth while to spend a bit more on an item that will not only last but probably appreciate in value.

Buyers also need to find out how the wood used for the item has been treated. It should have been scrubbed clean, planed and kiln dried. All the nails and other metal pieces should have been removed. This involves a manual process of scanning each piece individually with a metal detector and pulling them out. If beams are not kiln dried, problems like warping can occur. Kiln drying also takes care of any infestations, like termites, making sure they are not carried into the home with the item.

Beams often have certain imperfections that show glimpses of their age and history and removing them can be a mistake. The silvery grey patina, for example, can be the key to the look of the final product. The timeworn character that comes with decades of use and weathering by wind, rain and sun cannot be easily replicated.

If you are wanting to buy reclaimed barn wood furniture, choosing a manufacturer that has built a name for quality and artistry is best. Their pieces appreciate in value over time. Prices can vary considerably, depending upon the type of wood used and other factors. Customization is offered by certain manufacturers.




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