How to Use Recycled Timber in Your Renovation
Four experts share their insights into what to consider when sourcing old and reclaimed elements for your new home
Melissa Gerke
8 March 2020
Houzz Australia Contributor based in Sydney
Specialising in writing for the building industry, I have a degree in science and have also taught sustainability for over 15 years.
Houzz Australia Contributor based in Sydney
Specialising in writing for the building... More
Recycled and reclaimed timber products in a home add authenticity and history to a new renovation and are great for the environment too. But what do you need to consider when using recycled timber products such as flooring, windows and furniture in your next renovation?
Recycled timber flooring
Recycled timber flooring is undeniably beautiful; the natural knots in the wood and weathering over time is very difficult to achieve in new timber flooring. However, ripping up the floorboards from a demolition site is easier said than done.
“When builders pull it up, they’ll try to take as much care as they can, but they’ll sometimes damage up to half of the flooring,” says Gary Windiate, architect at Windiate Architects. “If the flooring was put down with heavy nails, they’ve gone through timber floors and hardwood joists. When trying to pull those nails up, they often lose quite a bit of the flooring. The tongue and grooves can also be damaged.”
The labour costs associated with laying a recycled timber floor can also be high due to pulling out the nails, sanding off the lacquer, puttying up the holes and repairing the tongue and grooves.
Recycled timber flooring is undeniably beautiful; the natural knots in the wood and weathering over time is very difficult to achieve in new timber flooring. However, ripping up the floorboards from a demolition site is easier said than done.
“When builders pull it up, they’ll try to take as much care as they can, but they’ll sometimes damage up to half of the flooring,” says Gary Windiate, architect at Windiate Architects. “If the flooring was put down with heavy nails, they’ve gone through timber floors and hardwood joists. When trying to pull those nails up, they often lose quite a bit of the flooring. The tongue and grooves can also be damaged.”
The labour costs associated with laying a recycled timber floor can also be high due to pulling out the nails, sanding off the lacquer, puttying up the holes and repairing the tongue and grooves.
Often the timber is too damaged to be used again as flooring, but can be repurposed as feature walls, benchtops or furniture. If you want to use recycled timber in a renovation, it’s important to let your architect and builder know from day one to avoid any complications with the build.
Keen to work reclaimed materials into your renovaton? Find a builder near you on Houzz for expert advice
Keen to work reclaimed materials into your renovaton? Find a builder near you on Houzz for expert advice
Recycled windows
Recycled windows can add character to any room. If you purchase a window that you’ve fallen in love with, you need to be mindful of a few extra expenses.“If you’re going to source a window, make sure it’s the same size as your existing window; they really need to be like for like. Otherwise, you have to do rectification work to walls to make them fit,” says builder Daniel Steege of Steegecorp. As windows are exposed to the weather, also check for wood rot.
Recycled windows can add character to any room. If you purchase a window that you’ve fallen in love with, you need to be mindful of a few extra expenses.“If you’re going to source a window, make sure it’s the same size as your existing window; they really need to be like for like. Otherwise, you have to do rectification work to walls to make them fit,” says builder Daniel Steege of Steegecorp. As windows are exposed to the weather, also check for wood rot.
Recycled furniture and fittings
Buying recycled furniture can feel like nabbing a bargain, but the hidden cost is labour. Lead paint was used in the past and is dangerous if it flakes off. If you suspect a piece of recycled furniture contains lead paint, which is poisonous, always hire a professional to restore it for you. If furniture has lead-free paint, wear a mask and body protection to avoid inhaling any toxins.
Handles, hinges and timber may also need repairing on recycled furniture, and matching reclaimed timbers can be difficult.
Buying recycled furniture can feel like nabbing a bargain, but the hidden cost is labour. Lead paint was used in the past and is dangerous if it flakes off. If you suspect a piece of recycled furniture contains lead paint, which is poisonous, always hire a professional to restore it for you. If furniture has lead-free paint, wear a mask and body protection to avoid inhaling any toxins.
Handles, hinges and timber may also need repairing on recycled furniture, and matching reclaimed timbers can be difficult.
In the bathroom, recycled timber vanities provide a classic look, but steam and water in the room can cause wood to swell and decay over time. Stronger hardwoods such as spotted gum, blackbutt and ironbark are best for this environment, rather than softer woods.
“We always put the basin on top of the timber. If you have exposed edges of timber, it can start to move and swell,” says Windiate.
Recycled Old Doors Open Up a World of Charm
“We always put the basin on top of the timber. If you have exposed edges of timber, it can start to move and swell,” says Windiate.
Recycled Old Doors Open Up a World of Charm
How to style recycled furniture in a space
When it comes to styling, try to include different timbers to modernise your room. Interior designer Suzy Nobilo-Lawson of Furnish Solutions says she likes mixing recycled goods and doesn’t believe that all timbers in a home need to match, especially in older properties that typically have yellow-toned wood.
“It’s quite okay to introduce other timbers to contrast,” she says. “That will make the place more updated.”
When it comes to styling, try to include different timbers to modernise your room. Interior designer Suzy Nobilo-Lawson of Furnish Solutions says she likes mixing recycled goods and doesn’t believe that all timbers in a home need to match, especially in older properties that typically have yellow-toned wood.
“It’s quite okay to introduce other timbers to contrast,” she says. “That will make the place more updated.”
Contrasting tones in timber brings out their differences. Architect Daniel Wolkenberg of Poly Studio suggests placing a paler, more consistent tone, such as a Victorian ash, with a wood that has more richness and variations in the tones, such as spotted gum. “By contrasting tones, you’re registering the differences between them,” he says.
Eco Cred: How to Buy Responsibly Sourced Timber
Eco Cred: How to Buy Responsibly Sourced Timber
Another way to combine timbers is by juxtaposing their features. ‘Feature’ grade wood has more gum veins and knots – and even insect trails – than ‘select’ grade timber, which has a more consistent tone. Combine the two and they won’t clash for attention.
Your turn
Have you integrated recycled elements in your renovation? What did you learn from the experience? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Want more design inspiration? Check out 9 Times European Designers Used Mirrors Ingeniously
Your turn
Have you integrated recycled elements in your renovation? What did you learn from the experience? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Want more design inspiration? Check out 9 Times European Designers Used Mirrors Ingeniously
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Thank you for this article. We live in a federation low set timber home in the NSW Northern Rivers. Our front & side L shaped verandah decking and supports were rebuilt using recycled timbers. We asked the same builder to construct library shelves for the small central room in the house that would have originally been a walk in pantry. The timbers used to co strict and fit out old Australian homes were up until the 1960s excellent quality timbers. The very old timber homes of the Northern Rivers and SE Qld like ours were built from (in this case) rainforest trees that were hundreds and hundreds years old. It really is ignorance, lack of respect and lack of foresight not to reuse these precious timbers.
I needed a new deck privacy screen.
i sourced some salvaged red cedar tongue & groove cladding, approx 120yrs old from a gentleman who had demolished Gosford Public School. He’d stored the timber for many years. It was less than half the price per LM than new DAR cedar.
There was work involved in feeding it through a thicknesser to remove old paint &
approx 1/4 was wasted due to splitting, weathered ends etc. A few layers of Danish Oil brought out the colours & grain.
When I make the front entrance privacy screen I’ll leave a lot more of the old paint on the boards.
I love the look of recycled timber floors and furniture. I am wanting to use recycled timber to make an entry table/ shelf. I decided not to use recycled timber for our floor until we get into our forever home, due to the costs and labor involved.