I've found reclaimed lumber can indeed offer unmatched character, but I'm curious—have you experienced any structural issues over time, like settling or shifting, compared to engineered lumber? I've seen both used successfully, but durability always makes me pause...
I've worked with reclaimed lumber quite a bit, and honestly, it can be a bit of a wild card. Had a client who insisted on using reclaimed beams for their kitchen remodel—gorgeous stuff, tons of personality—but we did notice some minor shifting after about a year. Nothing catastrophic, just enough to make hanging cabinets an adventure, haha. Engineered lumber is definitely more predictable structurally...but there's something about the quirks of reclaimed wood that's hard to resist. Just budget extra time (and patience) for adjustments down the road.
Totally agree on reclaimed lumber being unpredictable—I've seen similar shifting issues myself. A couple things I've noticed:
- Moisture content is usually the culprit. Even if reclaimed wood seems dry, hidden moisture pockets can cause subtle warping later.
- Kiln-drying reclaimed lumber before installation can help stabilize it, but it's not foolproof.
- Engineered lumber is definitely easier structurally, but reclaimed wood's character and sustainability factor are tough to beat.
Just gotta weigh the pros and cons carefully and prep clients for potential quirks down the line...
I've been following this thread closely because we're considering reclaimed lumber for our remodel, mostly for the aesthetics and eco-friendly angle. But now I'm wondering...is kiln-drying reclaimed wood something that's typically included when you buy it, or is that an extra step (and cost) we'd have to factor in ourselves?
We love the look and feel of reclaimed wood, but honestly, budget-wise, we're already stretching things a bit. If kiln-drying is an additional expense, I'm curious how much it usually runs and if it's really worth it in the long run. Has anyone here skipped kiln-drying altogether and regretted it later? Or maybe had good luck without it?
I guess I'm just trying to figure out if the potential headaches down the road outweigh the upfront savings. Would appreciate hearing some real-world experiences on this...
"Has anyone here skipped kiln-drying altogether and regretted it later?"
We skipped kiln-drying once on a client's reclaimed wood accent wall to save money...big mistake. Boards warped noticeably after a few months. I'd say kiln-drying is worth budgeting for, especially if humidity fluctuates in your area.
