Top 5 Reasons to Choose a Reclaimed Wood Desk
Whether enjoying a meal at a modern, upscale restaurant, shopping a row of trendy boutiques, or perusing the latest issue of an interior design magazine, there’s a good chance a piece of furniture or stunning interior appointment made from reclaimed wood will catch your eye. Why? There’s just something about the rugged yet sophisticated look that reclaimed, old growth lumber lends to a floor, table, cabinet, bar…or practically any other interior appointment you can think of. But what is reclaimed wood, anyway? And more importantly, why would I consider choosing it for a work space in my office?
What is Reclaimed Wood
Reclaimed wood is, in short, salvaged lumber from old structures and other objects. These could include factories, homes, barns, warehouses, and churches. Typically, the buildings from which the lumber was sourced were constructed more than a century ago. As a result, most reclaimed wood is brimming with patina and character that could only be derived from 100 years of service.
But why go through the trouble of salvaging materials from old buildings when we can just make furniture from freshly-cut wood? Well, the reasons are many. Here’s our top 5:
Advantages of Reclaimed Wood Furniture
1. Reclaimed Wood is Stronger, More Durable, and Resistant to Warping
A century ago, fresh timber was harvested from old growth forests full of trees that (due to the density of the forests) matured more slowly and over a much longer period of time. The trees also flourished during an era when air pollution didn’t exist like it does now. As a result, the wood grew much stronger and with a much denser grain.
Then, once the tree was milled into lumber and used for construction, it spent many years as a floor, support beam, etc. in a building. Over this time, it was exposed to hundreds of seasonal changes where it expanded and contracted as temperatures and humidity fluctuated. The end product is an incredibly stable piece of wood that will not warp the way freshly-cut, new-growth timber will.
2. Reclaimed Wood Furniture is Better for the Environment
You can conserve resources by re-using existing wood instead of throwing it away and cutting down new trees. These saved resources not only include the lumber itself, but the reduced use of fuel needed to cut down, transport, and mill new lumber, not to mention a decrease in the wear and tear on roadways, bridges, etc. All the while, the use of reclaimed wood helps protect ecosystems that are home not only to trees, but also the many mammals, birds, insects, and plants that live among the trees.
3. Old Growth Lumber is No Longer Available
With each passing year, more stretches of old growth forests are protected. Instead, new lumber is harvested through responsible, sustainable forestry practices. While the clear upside is a means to source lumber with a minimized impact on our environment, the downside is that old growth lumber can no longer be sourced for fine furniture.
Fortunately, utilizing reclaimed wood provides a win-win where you enjoy the finest quality lumber without the need to cut down any tree…old or young.
4. Reclaimed Wood Honors Our Country’s Rich History
While the perpetual march of progress may dictate that historic buildings periodically come down, repurposing the materials ensure their legacies remain. In other words, every piece of reclaimed wood provides a direct link to the generations of people who walked on a floor, or passed through a doorway on their way to doing significant things in life.
5. A Reclaimed Wood Desk is Distinctive, Beautiful, and Truly Unique
Without question, a prime reason to choose a reclaimed wood standing desk is for the striking appearance it will lend to your office space. To put it another way, no amount of “distressing” to new growth wood will replicate the look, feel, and character of genuine reclaimed wood.
OUR PICK: Artisan Grove™ Reclaimed Wood Standing Desks
We hope this overview of reclaimed wood furniture was interesting and informative!
