Thursday, December 19, 2013

Reasons To Buy Reclaimed Barn Wood Furniture

By Harriett Crosby


There are many reasons why people buy reclaimed barn wood furniture. It adds character and warmth to any interior due to its unique look. You can even purchase an article made from varieties of timber that are no longer available. When investing in a piece made by a true professional, you will have a family heirloom that can be passed down to future generations.

In the past barns were built from trees that grew in abundance, some of which had been growing untouched by man for hundreds of years. Many of these old barns were going to ruin. People began to realize that the beautiful beams could be salvaged and re-used. Those who buy it appreciate its history and love the look of the unique beams used to make it.

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.

Modern day tool marks made by the craftsman in the construction of the piece should be removed, at the same time leaving some of the tool marks from the past. If these clues to the age of the wood are preserved, it will always be possible to date the antique boards. If a wide belt sander has been used on a surface to make an item flat and even, it can cut hours off production time but it also removes a century or more of its history.

In a world where most of the furniture is mass produced, it is almost impossible to find really unusual pieces. One can buy reclaimed barn wood furniture hand-built by expert craftsmen that is truly unique. Before you buy your next piece, think about its many benefits such as strength, beauty, character and durability as well as the fact that no more trees need to be felled to produce it.




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