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Reclaimed wood furniture is constructed with wood salvaged from old structures such as barns, textile mills, and warehouses. One of the greatest benefits of this type of furniture is that by reusing old wood, existing forests are preserved. Preserving forests helps to reduce global warming and protects habit for other living species. Along with the important environmental and ecological benefits, reclaimed wood furniture is typically inexpensive, durable, and can add unique character to any home or office.

Many companies that specialize in reclaimed wood furniture today do most of their business online. Online retailers are able to save on the expenses required to open a store and hire a large staff to operate, allowing them to offer their products at a discounted price. When shopping for a piece of furniture created from reclaimed wood, a buyer must be aware of a few pitfalls not normally considered with other types of furniture, especially when shopping online.

The number one thing to look out for is quality. The best way to ensure you are getting the greatest quality possible is by doing business with only the most trusted and respected companies. Look for companies with a long history of success by doing your homework before actually shopping. With the endless amount of information available on the internet, it should be easy to find reviews and references for any vendor. When shopping online, there is often a limited amount of information available. The initially available information is typically limited to only a few photographs and a short description. Before making your purchase, ask for additional information and photographs.

There are a few simple questions worth asking about any piece of reclaimed wood furniture. Where did the wood come from? Will the furniture come with a certificate of authenticity stating that it was created entirely of reclaimed wood? These questions and answers are especially important if one of your goals is to purchase an environmentally friendly product. There are a few vendors out there that will try to deceive their customers by claiming their wood is reclaimed, when in fact it is new wood that has been aged to look reclaimed. Others will only use reclaimed wood for the most visible parts, such as the top of a table, or the doors on a cabinet. It may not be important to you that the entire piece is created from reclaimed wood, but it is critical that you understand exactly what you are getting. By knowing what type of structure, and if possible exactly what structure, your new piece of furniture can add a sense of historical significance to your home.

It is also important to understand how the piece of furniture is constructed. What types of joints are used? Always look for dovetail joints as this is the most robust type of joint. The best furniture manufacturers will typically only used these types of joints. Are the natural weak points reinforced? An example would be the underside of a table at the corners where the legs meet the top. Sturdy tables will usually have diagonal braces underneath and out of sight at these corners. Unlike furniture created from new wood, reclaimed wood furniture will frequently contain defects to add character. It is important that the builder consider where these defects are so that they don’t impact the integrity of the piece. If the defects have been removed and the wood patched, check that the patch was created in the shape of a bow tie. This type of patch is more structurally sound than square or round patches. The final thing to ask is whether the wood has been tested for signs that it has been internally compromised by the presence of pests such as termites.

By taking the extra time to do your research and asking these few questions, you can ensure that you will be getting a quality piece of reclaimed wood furniture that will last for years to come. Understanding the history of the wood and where it came from will can add that extra touch of character and be a great conversation starter.