As people become aware of the environment and the importance of sustainability, more homeowners prefer installing reclaimed hardwood flooring for their homes. Reclaimed engineered hardwood flooring is not only a better practical flooring option, but it is eco-friendly.
Over the past few years, the reclaimed engineered wood market has been growing exponentially and is expected to continue in the same manner for at least another decade. It’s the perfect choice if you want to add some character to your space.
What Is Reclaimed Engineered Hardwood Flooring?
Reclaimed engineered wood flooring is flooring that has been removed from an existing home or milled wood previously or utilized for fencing, siding, paneling, or other purposes like furniture.
Used flooring panels are especially prized for their glossy and smooth appearance, even after years of use. With age, some of the wooden panels may have wormholes, saw marks, or ridges that add character to the wood.
Reclaimed engineered wood from centuries-old mansions is far superior to modern milled flooring. The reason is that in the old days, only the most durable and finest woods from older trees were used to make the flooring, but more importantly, it was frequently milled in ways considered wasteful today. Further, the wooden panels were often rift-sawn, heartwood, or quarter sawn to generate distinct grain patterns, which are not seen in modern-day flooring.
Besides hardwood, one may also find engineered wood flooring with an intact wear layer of reclaimed wood over plywood or some type of medium-density fiberboard core. However, it is important to beware that not all reclaimed engineered wood is of the same quality, and much depends on where it comes from, the type of wood, and how it is processed.
Reclaimed engineered wood may come from ships, old barns, crates, schools, decommissioned buildings, railroads, pellets, old furniture, and much more. The key is only to buy reclaimed engineered wood from reputable manufacturers who have the product certified by the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA); this particular agency ensures that the reclaimed wood has been vetted for rot and insects and is resistant to warping.
The Benefits of This Flooring Option
Think this might be exactly what you’re looking for in your home? There are many benefits to choosing reclaimed hardwood flooring for your home.
- It’s Environmentally Friendly: When one uses reclaimed engineered wood, this automatically results in a decrease in the demand for newly sourced wood, which helps prevent deforestation. If the tree is harvested responsibly, then the reclaimed wood becomes a renewable resource; in turn, this decreases the waste sent to landfill sites and, at the same time, lowers the use of chemicals and pesticides to grow more trees.
- It’s Incredibly Strong: Reclaimed engineered wood is very hard and durable and will last many decades if well looked after.
- It Looks Beautiful: Since reclaimed engineered wood is already weathered and aged, it has a desirable and distinct look that is difficult to find in newer flooring products.
Buying Reclaimed Wood
For homeowners who want to install reclaimed flooring, working with a reputable flooring dealer is important. Just buying hardwood flooring from a contractor who is demolishing a home or an office building is neither practical nor realistic.
Working with a reputable dealer takes away the hassles of knowing what to look for, how much to offer, and how to lug the flooring back to your home where it can be installed. Plus, the removal of old hardwood flooring is a painstaking affair and is best left to the professionals.
The Cost of Reclaimed Engineered Hardwood Flooring
In general, reclaimed wood costs between $5 to $20 per square foot. Factors that determine the cost include a number of factors. The surface is one of them. In general, wood with a textured surface will cost more than milled flooring with a smooth surface. The species is another.
Some wood species, like heart pine and chestnut, are rare in America and, accordingly, much more expensive. Any reclaimed wood species that are imported from outside America tend to be slightly more expensive than the corresponding domestic product. The size is also a key factor. Generally, wide wood planks are much more expensive than narrow planks.
Similarly, longer planks are more expensive than shorter planks. In order to save money, flooring contractors suggest purchasing bundles that contain planks of various lengths and widths.
Installing Reclaimed Engineered Wood
The process of installing reclaimed engineered wood is similar to the installation of regular hardwood flooring. The reclaimed engineered wood planks already have grooves and tongues, and hence the process of nailing the boards to the subfloor is very similar. Depending on the status of the reclaimed wood, there may not be a need to sand and refinish it if the material already has good aesthetics- this can save both money and time.
Installing reclaimed wood is not a DIY project, as it can be challenging. The best advice is to get a professional since you also get a warranty. The cost of installation will vary from $2 to $8 per square foot depending on the size of the home where you live, flooring shape and quality,
Reclaimed Hardwood Flooring In Your Home
Using reclaimed engineered wood for flooring is not a novel idea, but it has been gaining popularity as more homeowners become environmentally conscious. Reclaimed engineered wood is simply wood that has been used before but now has a new life and purpose. If you plan to install this type of flooring in your home, speak to an East Coast Flooring expert now.