Reclaimed lumber is existing lumber salvaged from old buildings and warehouses that are being torn down, as well as old wine barrels and railroad boxcars. The wood is then reused as is, or milled into flooring, molding, siding, and other building materials.

Using reclaimed lumber is very eco-friendly, since it reduces the number of trees cut down – preserving a valuable natural resource – and uses less energy and waste than turning trees into lumber.

Watch the video above to find out more.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

What can be 100 years or older, you can sit on it, walk on it, or hang a light from it; and, oh yes, it’s green? I’m talking about reclaimed lumber. This is wood that’s salvaged from old buildings, like this rundown garage. Other wood can be harvested from boxcars and wine barrels.

All this lumber can be remilled into individual planks and used for antique wood flooring, moldings, stairs, and fine furniture. I’ve even seen old school bleachers used to create an amazing wood ceiling.

What makes it so green is obvious. You’re not cutting down a valuable resource that takes several years to replenish. And in some cases, reclaimed timber can already be in board form, which means energy is saved by not having to mill the wood. Best of all, in my opinion, it looks great, because even green things get better with age.


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Danny Lipford

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Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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