Yeah, kiln-drying is handy for bugs, but chemicals are another story. I once salvaged some old barn wood—beautiful stuff—but it had clearly been treated with something nasty back in the day. Even after drying and sealing, the smell lingered for months. Eventually, I had to replace it entirely. Like you said:
"Sometimes it's better to source materials with a known history rather than gamble on mystery wood."
Lesson learned the hard way... charm has its limits!
Been there myself with reclaimed wood. Thought I'd scored big with some old fence boards—looked rustic and perfect for shelves. But man, once I brought them inside, the smell was something else... like a weird combo of gasoline and mothballs. No amount of sanding or sealing got rid of it. Ended up giving them away to someone who wanted outdoor garden boxes instead. Guess you're right, sometimes "character" comes at a price, haha.
I've had better luck with reclaimed wood indoors, actually. It really depends on the source—old fence boards can be tricky because they're often treated or exposed to chemicals. Barn wood or old flooring usually works better for indoor projects, in my experience. Just gotta choose carefully...
Barn wood's usually safer, yeah, but have you checked if it was stored near pesticides or machinery? Sometimes barns have their own sneaky chemical history... Curious if anyone's tried kiln-drying reclaimed stuff to reduce VOCs? Heard mixed things about it.
Kiln-drying can definitely help reduce VOCs, but it's not a guaranteed fix. If you're worried about pesticides or other chemicals, here's what I've found useful: first, give the wood a good scrub-down outdoors with a mild detergent and let it dry fully. Then kiln-dry it—this helps drive off some stubborn residues. Finally, sealing it with a natural, zero-VOC finish can lock in anything left behind. It's a bit more work, but worth it for peace of mind... reclaimed wood adds so much character to green builds, don't give up on it yet.
