Sometimes when explaining the difference between using new wood and reclaimed wood, we start by saying: “Twice the money and ten times as beautiful, that is good value.” Although the math may be off, the point’s a good one.
Besides an incomparable appearance (we don’t grow trees like these anymore), another benefit to building timber frames from reclaimed timber is that old wood will shrink less (because it’s dry) so the joinery will stay tighter. Also, reclaimed timbers have a tighter more elegant grain, and often have peg holes and mortise pockets, and other evidence of its prior life holding up another building.
A working cattle farm on the New River, rich in flora and fauna…a marriage of modern amenities cloaked in old reclaimed wood…while inside fine art and fine craft engage in dialogue and soliloquy.
Breakfast Room with reclaimed Chestnut flooring and ceiling planking
A reclaimed wood wall is one of the best front porch ideas we’ve seen. Leaving the old weathered paint on the reclaimed siding is what makes it work. Reclaimed wood post and beams, locust decking, and two rocking chairs complete this inviting porch on the New River.
One of the focal points of this home on the New River built almost entirely from reclaimed wood is the reclaimed wood stairs leading to the loft. If you look carefully, you can see that the landing is crafted using a single reclaimed board cut into sections and hand-scribed to its mate.
Reclaimed hand hewn beams and reclaimed ceiling paneling in a Wilmington, NC home
Fully-housed and scribed joinery in a reclaimed hand hewn post and beam
This family purchased an antique timber frame barn and engaged an architect to design a home around it.
Reclaimed wood beam ceiling with nickel gap painted ceiling in Wilmington, NC
Old weathered beams remind us of driftwood–the way time and elements over a hundred years have worn down the rough hewn texture to a patina and texture impossible to perfectly duplicate on new wood.
A stone and timber great room in Waxhaw, NC
One mark of a craftsman is how well he or she can join irregular, non-straight reclaimed timbers–without destroying the antique patina by exposing fresh cut wood
Reclaimed Douglas Fir timber from the Impossible Railroad in Arizona, marked for re-resawing
A reclaimed Douglas Fir barn silo roof during fabrication and fitting in our shop
Looking straight up at the ceiling of a timber framed barn silo in New Jersey
Timber framed Great Room from reclaimed timber in Highlands NC
A reclaimed wood timber frame Great Room roof during pre-fitting in our shop
We know…it’s not a kitchen, but the reclaimed wood hand hewn beams make it our very favorite Wine Cellar…
Reclaimed wood ceiling beams in a Greenwich, CT kitchen
Yes, that’s Eric Morley at his wedding to Gesche Metz in (what else) a timber frame barn!
Aged beams and reclaimed planking form a striking ceiling in a Butler’s Pantry in Greenwich, CT. Note how the perimeter beam on the outside walls completes the look.
An exquisite guest house kitchen in Newport, RI with Heart Pine floors, island, and ridge beam. Note the nickel gap painted white ceiling boards.
Inspired by a visit to Blackberry Farm, the owners converted part of an existing barn on their property to a gorgeous Party space–using reclaimed timbers from two Pennsylvania barns. Design by Meyer Greeson Paullin Benson. To read the Garden & Gun article about this project, visit the Our Story/Publications section of our website.
The rectangular holes (mortises) visible in some of the beams in this Linville, NC mountain home tell a story: these particular weathered beams were reclaimed from an antique timber frame (the timbers were connected by pegged mortise and tenon joinery)–as opposed to a post and beam structure (bolted or nailed together).
Weathered beams and siding reclaimed from the original house were re-purposed for this Living Room ceiling.
A timber frame barn built from reclaimed wood on a Connecticut estate
Reclaimed wood stairway and Great Room in Linville, NC
Timber framed Master Bedroom from reclaimed timber
A cozy Guest Bedroom with a reclaimed wood ceiling and timber frame in Highlands NC
White Oak Salvaged Timber Frame barn in PA
A colorful kitchen with hand hewn teclaimed beams in Western North Carolina
Reclaimed wood tray ceiling in a Master Bedroom
Reclaimed White Oak timber bracket
An octagonal exterior porch outside a master bedroom with a reclaimed wood ceiling. The ceiling boards are reclaimed heart pine and the circle sawn reclaimed timbers meet at an eight-sided boss pin.
Reclaimed wood Howe timber trusses in Dogwood Southern Table and Bar Restaurant (Charlotte, NC)
Putting reclaimed wood back to work: freshly cut tenons on hand hewn beams
Reclaimed wood Front Porch on a Party Barn in Ennice NC
Reclaimed wood Covered Porch in Highlands NC
Tie rod hardware
Reclaimed wood beams and reclaimed barn boards in a NC Party Barn
A Middletown, RI Great Room with reclaimed White Oak timber frame trusses
Great Room with reclaimed White Oak trusses and hand-hammered iron straps in Far Hills NJ
Reclaimed wood timber frame Great Room in Greenwich CT
Almost everyone who visits our office comments favorably on the framed photograph of this stairway and the reclaimed wood beams above the Living Room. Design by T. Douglas Enoch Architect & Associates.
A collaboration with Barnwood Builders
Reclaimed weathered hewn beams and brown barn board create a warm and welcoming Guest House kitchen in Greenwich, CT.
In order to look right, ceiling beams need to look as if they’re holding up the ceiling (even if they’re not)
An Elegantly Rustic Party Barn
