Like many things in the home decor and furnishing industry, there can be confusing terms between what recycled vs. reclaimed wood means. Though the two seem to be the same, there are some differences.
Recycled wood is reprocessed from a material that once had another use than the original. Reclaimed wood is made into a product, but the effect is being used in a new way, so the object is being reclaimed instead of thrown out. Both recycled and reclaimed wood help save the environment and are good choices if you want to help the environment.
Table of Contents
- What Is Recycled Wood?
- What Is Reclaimed Wood?
- Is Reclaimed Or Recycled Wood Better?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Content
What Is Recycled Wood?
For wood to be considered recycled means that the wood was initially used for a specific purpose, and the wood can not be used again for the same purpose. The wood is then cycled or used again for another purpose.
The main point is that the wood is changed from its original purpose to a new one. The purpose of recycling is that the wood is converted to wood or timber and then made into something new.
Recycled wood requires that wood be reprocessed so that the wood can be used again for another purpose. Here are some things to remember about recycled wood:
- Collecting Wood – Recycled wood must be collected for use in furniture production. The collecting processing can be challenging to manage and requires expertise.
- Sorting Wood – Normally, recycled wood must be sorted as there can be a variety of sizes, types, and board lengths. It takes time and expertise to sort all the wood correctly.
- Processing Of Wood – It is not always easy to process recycled wood. Nails would need to pull out of the wood before any processing, glue taken off, and even holes filled. Recycled wood is usually more complicated than processing new lumber.
Our Recycled Pine Furniture
We produce recycled pine furniture. Our pine furniture is truly recycled as the pine wood used to make the furniture was previously used for another purpose, such as wooden packing crates or other uses.
The wood is then gathered and processed to be used again as timber, which is used to make new items such as pieces of furniture. Our furniture is genuinely recycled as the wood once had a purpose and was saved from being used for another purpose and then used again.
In other words, no additional trees were cut down for our recycled pine furniture to make the recycled wood furniture. Our recycled pine furniture is doing its part to help save the environment.
Listen To Our Podcast Recycled Vs. Reclaimed Wood, Differences Explained below or by clicking here.
What Is Reclaimed Wood?
Reclaimed wood means the item has not been altered since its final state. In other words, the item has been reclaimed and reused in its original form.
An example of this could be that an old shutter is made into a floor screen, or old shutters are hung on the wall as wall art.
You can see they hung on the old shutter for a new purpose.
The structure of the shutters has not changed. Just the purpose of how the shutters are being used has changed. For a reclaimed item, the actual item is not processed or altered in any way; the goal or how it is used is being changed.
Is Reclaimed Or Recycled Wood Better?
The differences between recycled and reclaimed wood can be personal preferences and the end product or use. Both recycled and reclaimed timbers help the environment and are considered environmentally friendly.
The decision between which one to use will be the purpose and what you want to use it for. But here are some differences:
- Reclaimed Wood May Have Limitations – Reclaimed wood may have limitations as you need to find objects that can be used in the original state.
- Recycled Wood Allows You To Make New Products – Recycled wood allows you to make new products. For example, you can take the wood and design a new table.
- FSC Certification – If you are looking for an FSC certification for wood, you are more likely to get the accreditation for recycled wood than reclaimed wood.
- Recycled Wood Requires Processing – Recycled wood requires that the wood be processed. Typically for recycled wood, you need to pull out old nails and other things to fully process the wood for the new item. So with recycled wood machinery, labor and something must be used to process recycled furniture items fully. It requires more work to process a recycled piece of furniture than a reclaimed one.
We appreciate both recycled and reclaimed wood as they help save the environment in some way and are great products to purchase if you want an environmentally responsible product.
If you are interested in seeing how Mondoro can help you with your recycled wood, reclaimed wood, and other home decor products – we would love to talk to you about how we can help you.
Find out more about how Mondoro can help you create, develop, and manufacture excellent home decor and furniture products – don’t hesitate to contact me, Anita. Check out my email by clicking here or become a part of our community and join our newsletter by clicking here.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between recycled and reclaimed wood?
Recycled wood refers to wood that has been reprocessed from materials that were previously used for another purpose. Reclaimed wood, on the other hand, involves using wood that was once part of a structure or object and repurposing it in a new way, thereby “reclaiming” its value.
Is recycled wood the same as reclaimed wood?
No, recycled wood and reclaimed wood are not the same. While they both involve reusing wood, recycled wood comes from previously used materials of any kind, whereas reclaimed wood specifically comes from structures or objects that are being repurposed.
Can you provide examples of recycled wood products?
Examples of recycled wood products include furniture made from old shipping pallets, flooring created from demolished buildings, or decorative items crafted from discarded wooden crates.
What are some examples of reclaimed wood applications?
Reclaimed wood can be used for applications like turning old barn wood into rustic tables, using salvaged wooden beams for architectural accents, or repurposing factory flooring as wall paneling.
How does using recycled or reclaimed wood help the environment?
Using recycled or reclaimed wood helps reduce the demand for new timber, which in turn conserves forests and natural resources. It also minimizes waste by giving new life to materials that might otherwise end up in landfills.
Is there a difference in quality between recycled and reclaimed wood?
The quality of both recycled and reclaimed wood can vary widely. Recycled wood might be sourced from various materials, potentially leading to variations in quality, while reclaimed wood often has character and unique features due to its previous use.
Are there any challenges with using recycled or reclaimed wood?
Both recycled and reclaimed wood can pose challenges such as verifying the source and quality of the wood, as well as potential treatments or finishes used in the past that could impact its suitability for certain applications.
Can you use recycled and reclaimed wood interchangeably?
Not necessarily. Recycled wood is more versatile as it can come from any reused source, while reclaimed wood has historical significance and is often sought after for specific aesthetic or authenticity reasons.
Which one is more sustainable: recycled or reclaimed wood?
Both recycled and reclaimed wood are sustainable choices compared to using new timber. However, reclaimed wood has a slightly stronger sustainability aspect due to its direct reuse of existing structures or objects.
Related Content
Recycled Pine Furniture, What You Need to Know
Reclaimed and recycled wood may seem to be the same thing, but they are not exactly the same. Recycled wood is wood that would have otherwise been discarded or not used. Wood is a naturally sustainable material as it can be regrown and replaced. There are a variety of furniture shapes and styles that can be used to make recycled pine furniture.
You can discover more by reading Recycled Pine Furniture, What You Need to Know by clicking here.
How Do I Find an Overseas Manufacturer To Produce My Product Ideas?
Though it is not easy to find reliable overseas manufacturers, you can take some basic steps to find a dependable supplier. This process to locate this dependable manufacturer can include things such as finding a buying agent, attending trade shows, doing some online searches, talking to some trade organization, and getting a referral from someone from the industry.
You can read our blog on How Do I Find an Overseas Manufacturer to Produce my Product Ideas? by clicking here.
What Does “FSC Certified” Wood Mean?
FSC means the Forrest Stewardship Council, a nonprofit certification process to ensure that wood used for products is from a managed forest and source. The goal of the FSC is to stop illegal logging activities and certify that wood used for a product has reached the standard to be called FSC-certified wood.
You can learn more by reading our blog, What Does “FSC Certified” Wood Mean? by clicking here.
