"I've seen clients thrilled initially, only to deal with warping or splintering down the line—especially if the wood wasn't properly treated or installed."
Yeah, I've been there. Built a dining table from reclaimed barn wood a few years back—looked amazing at first, but after a couple humid summers, it started warping pretty badly. Had to sand it down and reseal it twice already. Still love the look, but honestly, if I had to do it again, I'd probably lean toward something more predictable. Lesson learned, I guess...
I get the frustration, but honestly, reclaimed wood doesn't have to be unpredictable if you prep it right. Kiln-drying before building and applying a proper moisture barrier finish can make a huge difference. Done it myself, and my table's still solid after 5 years...knock on wood.
Fair points, kiln-drying definitely helps stabilize reclaimed wood. But even with proper prep, I've seen some pieces warp or crack unexpectedly—especially in climates with big humidity swings. Had a client whose carefully prepped reclaimed oak flooring still buckled after a particularly humid summer. Maybe it's partly luck, partly prep... Curious, did you factor in local climate conditions when you built your table?
