Recycled wood Coffee Table

Reclaimed Wood Furniture: Everything You Need to Know

Reclaimed wood furniture, often referred to as recycled wood furniture, is a sustainable and eco-friendly furniture. 

With the world attempting to reduce its carbon emissions, eco-conscious consumers are looking for environmentally friendly options.  As a result, reclaimed wood furniture has emerged, and suppliers are stocking more recycled pine furniture.

In a study conducted in 2020 on the Eco-Friendly Furniture Market, the proponents valued the market size of the eco-friendly furniture market at USD 35.2 billion in 2019. 

According to the study, this was a result of the rising adoption of sustainable materials in producing furniture as a means to support the environment. 

Reclaimed Pine Media unit finished in Natural Made in Vietnam

What is Reclaimed Wood Furniture?

Any wood species can be used in reclaimed or reused furniture as long as it has had a prior use, such as, structures, pallets, bridges, old houses, etc. 

No wood is cut down specifically for the use of making furniture, and the wood has had a prior use to becoming furniture. The wood used should have avoided any heavy environmental impact and be free of old-growth timber.

reclaimed wood furniture

What Are The Most Common Species Used in Recycled Furniture?

Species used in recycled and reclaimed wood furniture including the following:

  • Pine: This is softwood and versatile, abundant, and cost-effective. The grain is quite defined and working with Pine is quite straightforward. The finishes you can get with Pine are very diverse and effective; it is the most common of reclaimed wood used for furniture.
  • Oak: A more costly solution but the results are impressive. Oak is more difficult to work with being hardwood and must be carefully controlled in the MC levels as it is easier to crack and warp than pine.
  • Elm A similar wood to oak requires more care in terms of moisture content levels, and the finishes on elm are more limited. It is not as widely used as Pine and Oak due to the availability and limited finishes that can be achieved.

In the case of Arin International, we mainly use Recycled Pine in our Vietnam production.

How Does Recycled Wood Get Processed Into Furniture?

Once the wood is delivered to the factory, the process of de-nailing and cleaning begins. This is labour-intensive and takes time to process. 

After processing the recycled wood, its moisture content must be ascertained; then, the wood planks are prepared for the kiln drying. A process by stacking each wood plank on pallets with around 2-3cm space between each plank.

Kiln drying is an essential part of the process. If not processed properly through kiln drying, recycled wood furniture will crack, split, and warp once it is delivered to the consumer.

Pine Dining and Coffee Tables

Once out of the kiln and is checked, the moisture content or MC is under 12%, and the selection of wood planks can begin. 

Any planks with large knots will be discarded or repaired if possible, as large knots can fall out over time.

Excess nail holes will also be discarded, or the areas with fewer nail holes will be cut out and used for smaller, more detailed areas.

Planks go through any shaping that the furniture design requires. This involves being put through various shaping machines.

Other Components Used in the Production of Reclaimed Wood Furniture:

– Use components that are aligned with the environmental and sustainable message. 

– Avoid MDF or other composite materials.

– Use water-based rather than oil-based glue.

– Keep the materials natural to get the message honest.

– While all of this contributes to the premium price of the end product, it is a justifiable expense keeping the products as environmentally friendly as possible. 

This, coupled with multiple reports of MDF producing toxic fumes, makes the idea of using recycled wood furniture more enticing.

Furniture Made From Reclaimed Wood is The Best Eco-Friendly Option

Other reclaimed wood furniture may be Pine, Oak, Elm for example.

Any other wood species as long as they have had a prior use to becoming furniture.

Today’s consumer is more aware of the world. Push to reduce greenhouse emissions and the effect we are having on our environment recycled wood furniture fits into the social conscious of today’s consumer.

For more information, check the reclaimed Pine products.

Please contact Arin International, a trustworthy reclaimed wood furniture manufacturer, for details about our products.