The Extraordinary Appeal of Barn Wood - And Where to Get It

Barn wood has an extraordinary appeal, given how it is reclaimed from old barns. These woods are often reused for sustainability. They have unique characteristics you could not find in wood sourced from younger trees. Barn wood has many applications, and its rustic vibe appeals to many since it can match decorative wood panels or other custom millwork with a similar design.

What Is Barn Wood?

The term barn wood refers to wood taken from old barns. Old barns no longer used or those that are beyond repair are dismantled. The wood from these barns is sold or recycled for other purposes.

One of the best things about using barn wood is its sustainability. Because it is reclaimed from old barns, no trees are cut, thereby lessening deforestation. Reclaimed lumber from barns has exquisite aesthetics, often unfinished yet aged with natural beauty.

Uses of Barn Wood

Barn wood has many uses depending on its size and quality. The uses of barn wood include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Furniture making
• Cabinetry
• Hardwood flooring
• Wall panels
• Wood paneling for walls
• Wood accent wall
• Commercial shelving
• Box beams
• Mantel pieces
• Post and beams
• Custom molding
• Custom trim
• Barn wood siding
• Tongue and groove

Barn wood is useful in most custom millwork. It all depends on the creativity and imagination of the woodworker.

Why Choose Barn Wood

If you want uniformity, using reclaimed barn wood may not be for you. Uniformity only works if you can source a complete wood supply for your DIY project. You might not be able to find the same barn wood as the first one you bought, given their rarity as well as fast turnover rate.

But why choose this wood for your DIY project?

Aside from the fact that it is an eco-friendly option and has a timeless rustic appeal, barn wood has been seasoned for years. It is more durable than recently cut wood from virgin trees. The trees from which old barn wood was sourced grew in a very conducive environment, free from air pollution, before the Industrial Revolution. Thus, their timbers have withstood the test of time, and they remain strong over the years.

Having old-growth rustic wood in your house is uncommon. So, if you want to stand out, this is an excellent reason to choose barn wood. Irresponsible logging in the United States destroyed a vast portion of old-growth forests that needed several centuries to mature. Old-growth forests are now protected. Hence, you can only have old-growth wood if you opt for reclaimed pieces.

Every reclaimed lumber product is enriched with its own story from the past, and you can preserve this story by installing it in your home.

FAQs

Is barn wood safe?

Barn wood has its problems, like mold and mildew. However, these issues are preventable with proper treatments. Buying barn wood from experts who identify safe and unsafe pieces is highly recommended. Professionals sort out hazardous wood and only sell those that you can use safely and soundly.

How expensive is barn wood?

Sourcing premium and high-quality barn wood is getting more difficult each passing year. This scarcity of reclaimed materials has led to higher prices over the years. The wood species, condition, and length affect the pricing.

Where to Buy Barn Wood

You can buy reclaimed barn wood straight from homeowners or farmers with old barns. However, buying from them has several risks (link to reclaim wood main article), including chemical hazards and the dangers of embedded objects such as nails and screws.

The best way to purchase barn wood is from specialty shops like Alderfer Lumber Company Inc.

We get our barn wood from old barns, but we carefully select them through our team of experts. We ensure that the reclaimed wood pieces we have in stock are free from harmful chemicals used to treat the wood ages ago. We also inspect wood pieces to remove any implanted sharp objects that may cause injuries when worked on.

Give us a call or send us an email to inquire about our current barn wood supply!