Because we perform a lot of restoration services for aging log homes, we are often presented with the exciting opportunity to find new ways to repurpose old wood left over from various projects. With more than 20 years of practice working with old wood, we know how to see through the scars to the beauty beneath, and transform wood into unique, beautiful pieces that often become items that can be enjoyed for generations to come.
If you own an older log home, something many people don’t think about is that when older wood is replaced on a log home, the last thing you should do is throw it away. There are so many things you can do with that wood to reclaim and revitalize it for another generation. Reclaimed wood is very popular these days, and there are companies that produce “faux” reclaimed wood using hammers and chains to give it a distressed look. However, in our opinion, there’s really no substitute for the real thing. No matter how weathered or rough your old wood looks, often all it takes is a bit of hand-scraping and elbow grease to cut through the years of weathering and find the inner layer of unspoiled wood with a patina that just can’t be matched.
Whether you find it, buy it, or salvage it from another project, be sure to save every piece of old wood you can for creating heirloom products with sentimental value (as well as functional value) that can be passed down for generations to come. There really is no limit to the ways you can use reclaimed wood. For ideas and inspiration, just search for “Reclaimed Wood Projects” in Pinterest (or check out our Pinterest board) and you’ll see everything from simple boxes to bathroom sinks, including:
- Bar Tops
- Tables & Benches
- Cutting boards
- Decorative shelves
- Pie carts
- Hutches & Wine Racks
- Deck flooring
- Picnic tables
- Planters
- Wall art
- Headboards
- Frames
- Interior barn doors
- Statement walls
- Fireplace mantels
- Bunk beds
- Baseboards
- Even bathroom sinks!
If you’ve got old wood sitting around and want to repurpose it into a special item that can be uses and enjoyed for years to come, please think of us for helping you get it done. And the next time you have work done on your log home or cabin, be sure to keep any leftover wood. No matter how old or rough it may look to the naked eye, there’s gold underneath and we can help you make it shine! Just give us a call at 877-477-6564 to talk about ideas, or send a snapshot of the wood pieces to our email at jon@prologrestorations.com and we’ll be happy to collaborate.
