Before the advent of mill houses, farmers, settlers, and builders used whatever wood they could get their axes on to construct their dwellings. A good piece of wood, back then, was one that had been felled to clear land for the barn or silo. People were practical – many didn’t have the money or the means to secure their top choice of timber. Lucky for us, their resourcefulness has turned up some surprising finds during deconstructions of old barns, warehouses, dwellings.

Mixing different species of reclaimed wood beams is best when a combination of grain patterns, patinas, and preconditions are desired in the aesthetic application. An eclectic mix of old timbers above the stairwell, along the corridor, or wrapped around the doorway is a modern twist on the traditional matchy-matchy of one wood species hugging the ceiling or lining the walls. For those looking to replicate woodwork of the past, mixing reclaimed hand hewn beams for a decorative purpose is an ideal option – it was a common practice 100 to 200 years ago.

If the thought of an eclectic mix of grain patterns and shades makes you dizzy, it is possible to re-manufacture the beams for a more uniform appearance. Different wood timbers can be re-hand hewn, sanded, or milled. However, any character marks – chisels, checks, cracks – will appear less impressive or be effaced entirely. Check out AltruWood’s Buyer’s Guide to Reclaimed Beams to find out what to expect on the surface of recycled lumber, including metal content, nail holes, and splitting.

There’s more work involved if mixed timbers are slated for structural use. Each reclaimed beam, regardless of species, needs a professional grading. Additional barn beams may need to be ordered to account for any reclaimed beams that are unfit for structural use, increasing cost and perhaps extending the project’s time frame. Yet, using a mix of reclaimed wood beams can also help alleviate costs for large-scale projects – it’s expensive to secure a large supply of reclaimed beams identical in nature and condition.

Mixing reclaimed hand hewn beams is a viable option, especially for aesthetic applications where an assorted display of old woods is desired and a nod to the past is more than welcomed. Here’s to the builders of the past!

- Nicole Morales

Just what are decorative beams, and how do they differ from structural beams? Decorative beams are designed for easy installation and are cut to fit the needs of your particular ceiling. The biggest difference between decorative and structural beams is size: in order to support the ceiling of your home, structural beams require a great amount of thickness and density. With decorative wood beams, the opposite is desired – a light-weight alternative that won’t compromise the integrity of your ceiling or roof. Often, decorative beams are half the size (or less) of structural beams, and may be hollowed-out to reduce weight (and therefore the strain on the ceiling).

A popular choice for ceiling adornment is reclaimed wood beams. Decorative reclaimed lumber is often manufactured from the structural beams of abandoned and demolished antique homes, barns, businesses, or warehouses. These giant beams are cut (typically in half) and refinished to fit the design needs of the new space. A common trait of reclaimed lumber is hand hewing. Hand hewn beams were shaped from the log by hand, using a set of axes. Hand hewn lumber is valued for its characteristic score marks, which result from the squaring of the original log. These marks lend a rustic quality to the surface of the wood, which, when paired with an exquisite finish, can make for beautiful decorative beams. When using reclaimed wood beams, it is essential to sand down score marks where the beam is to be adhered to the ceiling.

A common shape for decorative wood beams is the box design. Box beams are three-sided with a large channel running through, where the fourth side was cut. The box design has several advantages over solid wood beams. First, the weight is dramatically reduced by hollowing out the wood. Second, the space created in the wood beam can be used to hide electrical wires from light fixtures or flaws in the surface of your ceiling.

Many lumber manufacturers use faux timbers for their decorative beams. While this is an affordable alternative to real wood, there is no comparing the quality of old-forest wood to the polyurethane imitations. As mentioned, reclaimed wood is valued for its aesthetic qualities. Furthermore, using reclaimed and antique wood beams is a green practice, as it reuses previously milled lumber from a tree felled many years ago. The old-forest structural and stylish quality of reclaimed wood beams is exemplified by antique pines and firs, particularly the Douglas Fir.

- Ian Friedman

Not all reclaimed beams started out this way. Old-world woodcrafters hewed only the wood available to them in any one region. So just what woods were used for hand hewing beams back in the day? And, which woods were better suited for structural purposes compared to aesthetic applications? The quick answer is all wood species.

Both hardwood and softwood types were hand hewn into timber frame beams for barns, warehouses, and dwellings. Both wood types have aged for hundreds of years, making them remarkably dry and dense and stable for all decorative applications, including fireplace mantle beams, wall posts, and even wall art. However, using reclaimed hand hewn timbers for structural purposes, including half structural + half aesthetic, does require research into the histories of reclaimed beams and also professional grading of each beam.

Softwood frame beams may be hewn from Douglas fir, redwood, or hemlock. Softwoods are characteristically stable and straight wood types. Douglas fir, with its clear vertical grain pattern, has been favored for years in framing for its stability and is a popular choice in reclaimed beam structural applications because of its tight vertical grain. AtlruWood offers graded Doug fir timbers for structural purposes. Reclaimed Douglas fir timbers, recovered from 100 to 200-year-old sites, exude exquisite patina.

Oak, maple, and elm are common hardwood hand hewn beams. Antique hardwood beams are often used in decorative applications. As with all structural purposes, professional grading of reclaimed hardwood hewn hand beams is recommended, especially when weight bearing loads require certification. Check out AltruWood’s Buyer’s Guide to Reclaimed Beams to learn more about what to expect from using reclaimed hand hewn beams in renovation projects.

- Nicole Morales

Worry no more. As a matter of fact, because of the type of wood that was used in decades past, your antique wood flooring may actually be more durable than the new stuff.

Reclaimed hardwood flooring comes from a variety of sources, such as old barns, schools, factories, and other structures. Most were built at least 50 if not 100 or more years ago. The wood that went into construction in those days was often old-growth timber. That means trees that had slowly matured in the forest for several hundred years before being harvested. Wood from old growth trees is very strong, with dense growth rings that you don’t find in the trees being harvested today. These days, out of concern for letting the remaining stands of old growth forest remain intact, most construction material comes from managed forests that are harvested and then replanted at much younger ages. When you choose reclaimed wood, you get the benefits of old growth wood without sacrificing any of the trees that are still standing.

Another factor that makes reclaimed lumber a sound choice is its low moisture content. All wood naturally contains moisture, and it’s normal for hardwood floors to expand and contract. However, recycled wood has already had decades of exposure to temperature and moisture variation. This gives antique flooring a high degree of stability and reduces the tendency for wood to shrink and pull apart.

Because reclaimed wood was previously used in a different building, there are a few things for customers to keep in mind. Nail holes, bolt holes, or saw marks may be visible in the wood. They won’t affect the structural integrity of the product, but they do affect the look and the grade that will be given to them if the wood is professionally graded. For someone who wants distressed wood flooring, the marks of a board’s previous existence only add to its charm. If you want a smoother, clear appearance, you’ll need to select antique wood that doesn’t have such marks.

The type of reclaimed wood you select will affect the durability as well. Just as in new wood products, old wood products come from different trees with different characteristics. Reclaimed Douglas fir flooring is relatively low on the Janka hardness scale, which is the standard used to determine hardness of wood flooring. It comes in at 660, which does not mean that your Douglas fir floors will give out on you. It does mean that it will be more prone to nicks, dents, and scratches – though a good finish will reduce those. Some people like the weathered look, but for customers who want a harder wood, reclaimed antique oak flooring, measuring at 1360 on the Janka hardness scale, might be a better choice.

- Jennifer Rouse

Antique wood beams are both an impressive sight and a responsible consumer choice. Antique timbers are reclaimed lumber, taken from old warehouses and barns and used as is, re-hewn or sawn to fit the specs of their new end-use. However, not all timber frame beams are created equal. There’s a difference between hand hewn reclaimed beams and mill sawn reclaimed beams. Read on to find out which beam is best for you.

Hand hewn reclaimed beams

Hand hewn wood beams are handmade. From the broad-axing and adz-axing of each timber to flatten its sides to the custom fitting of each beam on site, the craftsmanship of hand hewn beams is second to none. They have the rich, rustic aesthetic that hand hewn beam lovers admire, letting the lumber’s history speak for itself.

The condition of hand hewn timbers determines their end-use. Hand hewn timbers are popular in aesthetic applications. Nail and bolt holes add to the authenticity of reclaimed timbers as do surface cracks and splits known as checking (from the wood having dried out over time). However, excessive moisture damage, internal splitting, and rot & warping issues negatively affect the wood beams’ structural integrity, sometimes making them unfit for structural applications. If shopping for hand hewn beams for structural applications, AltruWood recommends having the wood beams professionally graded – building codes may require you to do so before installation.

Mill sawn reclaimed beams

Despite the numerous recycled beams in old barns across the Pacific Northwest, AltruWood’s mill sawn reclaimed beams are hand-picked from big-building deconstruction projects. This ensures that the beams are dry, stable, and free of structural issues caused by high levels of moisture in the damp Northwest.

Structurally speaking, a recycled beam is stable and strong, having toughened up over the years in their prior setting. They are an excellent choice for exposed structural applications, when stability and aesthetic are equally important. AltruWood also recommends professional grading on reclaimed fir beams if intended for structural purposes.

When it comes to looks, a mill sawn reclaimed beam of Douglas fir shows off an exquisite rich and honey-hued patina. Unlike hand hewn beams that are axed and chiseled by hand, the texture is finer on reclaimed fir beams, giving the, a more blended and even appearance compared to the heavy surface marks characteristic of hand hewn timbers.

No matter how you beam it, both hand hewn and mill sawn antique timbers put a traditional spin on contemporary construction and can also offer structural support when needed. To boot, reclaimed beams give new life to old wood, decreasing the demand for new wood.

- Nicole Morales

First comes a potentially tough choice: whether or not you want to stain the wood. While staining can help blend hand hewn beams into the décor of your home, many buyers choose to leave the wood’s natural colors intact. For outdoor use, you can compromise with a dye-based stain, which penetrates, rather than covers, the wood. This prevents weather damage while accentuating the natural colors of the wood.

Indoor or outdoor, your hand hewn beams will need a finish to ensure quality over a lifetime. Choosing the right finish will put an end to needless reapplications. Before applying liquid finish, some choose to smooth the surface with abrasives. Commonly, a grit blaster is used. Grit blasters use compressed air to propel abrasive material at a surface. This technique creates an even surface on the wood, without sacrificing the unique, rustic qualities of reclaimed lumber. Furthermore, grit blasting provides a better exterior for applying a liquid finish.

For indoor use, linseed oil is your best bet for protecting antique wood beams while retaining the beautiful surfaces typical of reclaimed lumber. Linseed oil comes in two varieties – raw and boiled. Each has its own advantages and drawbacks. Boiled linseed oil contains driers, which allows for easy application. The raw variety, on the other hand, soaks into the wood, retaining the exterior appearance. However, it takes much longer to dry, and doesn’t hold up well in intense heat. Consider the environment of your house when choosing between raw and boiled linseed oil. These finishes are also available in colors, if so desired.

Your choice of finish for outdoor projects will depend on both the weather in your home town and the amount of surface gloss you want. Lacquer, shellac and polyurethane finishes offer a range of gloss combined with excellent protection. For environmental considerations, you may also consider water-based finishes for your hand hewn timbers.

- Ian Friedman

Reclaimed wood is any wood used for building or furniture that’s already served a purpose in a previous life. That means it comes from a wide variety of places, each with its own unique history.

Many of the reclaimed timbers Altruwood sells are hand-hewn beams from century-old barns that have fallen into disrepair. Rather than send the aged wood to a landfill, deconstruction specialists take the building apart piece by piece, saving timbers that are still useful for another life in another building.

Some pieces are then re-milled into new boards, turning the historic lumber into reclaimed floors or reclaimed siding.

Wood sometimes comes from old commercial or municipal structures. An article in Hardwood Floors magazine refers to America’s collection of dis-used factory buildings and warehouses as an “industrial forest,” each with its own collection of recycled timbers with story to tell.

Tank stock is another unique source of recycled lumber. Antique water tanks or the storage tanks from old wineries and breweries, even pickle plants, can be a source for reclaimed wood. Because the vessels were required to be water-tight, these storage tanks yield very durable vertical-grained wood, with a unique patina from its previous life.

Some reclaimed wood doesn’t come from buildings at all. Railroad ties and old wooden fences don’t yield recycled timbers of the same size as barns and factories do, but wood from these sources has been used to make doors, windows, mantelpieces, furniture, and other pieces where an entire floor worth of wood isn’t needed. Any type of previous use by consumers qualifies wood as being of post-consumer origin, which can qualify it as FSC® Certified lumber. The Forestry Stewardship Council is the leading agency for certifying that wood comes from sustainable sources, so choosing FSC® certified wood for your building project adds to the structures “green” credentials.

Other sources have never had a prior consumer use, but the wood from them is still called “salvaged” or “reclaimed” because it originates from trees that are dead and would otherwise not be usable. Altruwood’s Naturally Dry Beams are milled from trees that have died naturally, while still standing, due to firekill or damage. Because these timbers begin the drying process while still standing in the forest, Naturally Dry Timbers are very stable, with less twisting and warping than green timber.

Some salvaged wood is pulled out of rivers; divers search America’s waterways for trees that have fallen and been washed downstream. The logs are then pulled out and milled into lumber for a variety of uses.

The multitude of sources for reclaimed wood means that no two lots of reclaimed lumber—and probably no two individual boards—will be exactly alike. Each timber bears marks from its previous life, whether it’s slivers of fading barn paint or staining from gallons of wine. These marks don’t just add beauty; they add character.

Conventional wood floors might be lovely, but walking on wood that came from a 150-year-old brewery just feels cooler. That—along with unique aesthetics and un-matched eco-friendliness—is what you get when you choose reclaimed lumber. It’s not just wood. It’s a wooden slice of history.

- Jennifer Rouse

Hand hewn timbers display characteristic and highly valued score marks, which are the result of removing the rounded edges from the logs by hand. This only occurs in wood hewn with axes, rather than on a machine. Given the unique qualities of each log, hand hewing can give a more tailored fit to lumber.

There are many popular varieties of reclaimed wood beams. Barn beams are a popular source for antique lumber; they are plentiful in larger barns, and were cut to stand the test of time. Their rustic look is extremely popular, as the lumber has a less uniform appearance, with flaws in the wood highlighted rather than cut away. Hand hewn beams are typically made of a softer wood, as they are easier to manipulate with smaller axes and other tools.

There are few craftspeople who still hew lumber by hand. And for good reason – it’s a long and tiring process, which can be done in a mill in much less time. In addition, hand hewn timbers that are used in construction often need to be hewn again to fit against other pieces. Luckily, there is a vast amount of antique lumber across the country, which can be reclaimed at a fraction of the price of hand hewing new beams. The environmental impact of using recycled lumber is tremendous, and is certainly worth the price of tearing down unused barns and houses. The aesthetic qualities of hand hewn beams will always keep the product in style.

Reclaimed lumber is prized both for its unique aesthetic properties and its eco-friendly qualities. It has fast become a highly sought-after item in the design world. As it has soared in popularity, artisans and designers around the nation are using recycled lumber to craft an array of items, from the most utilitarian to the most fanciful. Name a household item that can be manufactured from wood, and someone has probably used recycled lumber to make it.

Let’s start with the basics: the materials that make up the place you call home.

Flooring is one of the most common uses of reclaimed lumber. Large timbers salvaged from old barns, industrial buildings–any large wooden structure that’s no longer been used–can be re-milled into large, wide-plank flooring with character that can’t be matched by newer woods. Reclaimed floors such as Altruwood’s antique oak flooring feature details like nail holes from the hundred-year-old nails used the first time around. These tiny marks are prized by enthusiasts for the character and interest they add to recycled flooring. Depending on the quality, original flooring can also be reclaimed and recycled in a new space.

Siding is another extremely popular use for recycled wood. In particular, wood that comes from old barns can be turned into unique reclaimed siding. In some cases, all the paint has been worn off to create a silvery, weathered gray, while in others remnants of the original paint color remain–red or white were popular barn paint choices. Homeowners and designers can mix and match their recycled siding to create an extremely unique look.

Larger reclaimed timbers, when they are in good condition, can be re-used as ceiling beams. In home design, they add an old-world feel to a structure, reminiscent of a mountain lodge or old Tuscan farmhouse. These recycled timbers come from the kind of old-growth trees that aren’t cut down in the U.S. lumber industry any longer, which means that salvaging them from old structures is one of the only ways to get timbers of this type. What’s more, the sustainability inherent in re-using an already-cut tree and keeping good lumber out of the landfill means that recycled wood can be certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council™ (FSC®). Reclaimed wood is of post-consumer origin, which means that FSC® certified flooring, FSC® certified siding, and other FSC® certified wood products can qualify building projects for points in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.

Recycled wood doesn’t have to be limited to a building’s structural and surface components, however. The smaller details in the home can be made from reclaimed wood as well. Jeld-Wen, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of windows and doors, is jumping into the reclaimed market. In Spring 2011 the company began offering windows and doors made from reclaimed woods, including old snow fences from Wyoming.

When it comes to other uses, homeowners can find an entire household worth of reclaimed wood furnishings: coffee tables made out of floorboards from old gymnasiums, complete with free-throw line markings; dining sets made from railroad ties, serving platters made from old wine barrels.

In Texas, artists are printing photographs on wood flooring and selling them as wall hangings; even the latest incarnation of the Planters Peanut-mobile features reclaimed oak flooring inside. For enthusiasts who love the look and feel of reclaimed wood so much that they want to literally wear it around their neck, a San Francisco company has the answer: ties made out of thin strips of reclaimed redwood.

So go ahead. When you’re envisioning what reclaimed lumber would look like in your home, feel free to dream big…or small. Wooden necktie, anyone?

- Jennifer Rouse

Hand hewing involves using axes to flatten the surfaces of the wood. The log is propped-up and secured on two smaller pieces. First, one must score the wood horizontally in even increments (usually a foot), in order to create small wedges that can be easily removed. Next, stand over the log and chop vertically into the wedges. The reason for scoring the wood is to ensure that only smaller pieces will splinter off.

There are many axes that could be used for the job, though traditionally the two most common hewing tools are a broadaxe and an adz. The broadaxe is used for scoring and for hewing larger pieces of lumber. An adz is utilized for smaller detail work, and for smoothing out the work of the more unwieldy broadaxe. Scoring axes are often used as well, in lieu of the broadaxe.

Buyers of reclaimed and recycled lumber highly value hand hewn beams. The scoring marks in the timber go hand-in-hand with the rustic qualities of antique wood beams. Furthermore, hand hewn wood is treated in keeping with the unique qualities of each log. A carpenter can manipulate the particular contours of a log in ways that no machine is capable of doing. Lastly, as hand hewn wood is often reclaimed (today, most lumber distributors believe the extra time and cost of hand hewing is not worth the quality of the product), the practice of buying hand hewn wood beams is environmentally sound.

- Ian Friedman