Re·Claim: verb
- To bring into or return to a suitable condition for use
- To procure from refuse or waste products
An old barn is a majestic sight, especially in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, where history and character are alive in every piece of wood. Unfortunately, some of these grand structures are in late stages of decay and ruin. What is seen as a dangerous eyesore can be reclaimed and made into a beautiful piece of furniture for your home.
The process of reclaiming and recycling lumber from these old barns incorporates many steps:
First, the useful lumber must be separated from surrounding waste; This will involve taking down of roof material, rotten wood, stones, concrete and anything else that might be part of the old barn.
Second, the good wood must be carefully de-nailed and metal detected; This prevents very bad things from happening to our machines later in the process.
Third, the wood must be kiln or air dried, depending on the moisture content; This will tell us if it is perfectly (or generally) straight, or if it will warp.
Finally, the wood must be straightlined and planed – All this prior to the initial assembly of any furniture!
Reclaimed Innovations offers traditional mortise and tenon joinery in all tables and benches – unless, of course, the customer chooses a different method of construction. Careful craftsmanship, combined with a hand-rubbed finish, ensure heirloom quality.
True to our focus on customization, we offer a variety of finish products and finish techniques. One of our favorites, however, is a blend of Tung Oil and specially formulated resins which leaves our tables thoroughly protected while retaining the beautiful appearance of natural wood. Generally, we apply five to eight coats with a time-tested hand rubbing technique. The meticulous rubbing of the final coats gives the wood a lustrous sheen and a smooth feel.