Woodworking with reclaimed and salvaged lumber is a great way to lend some authentic Americana to a DIY project. “Weathered” is not a look that is easily faked. When done wrong, it just looks terrible. On the other hand, genuine patina not only adds aesthetic value to a piece, it can also provide a protective covering to material that might otherwise be damaged. From modern industrial designs to country farmhouse style, reclaimed timbers can do it all with style and grace. Here are just a few DIY Upcycle and Repurpose Projects For Salvaged and Reclaimed Building Materials.
Sliding Barn Door
The barn door is perhaps the quintessential salvaged wood project. A simple design is more authentic to the farmhouse style. With a little imagination, a modern or industrial look is also achievable with the help of angle iron or other metal building materials.
Eco Relics is home to a wide variety of reclaimed lumber that is perfect for building a sliding barn door, including authentic barn wood, heart pine, oak, walnut, cyprus, and more. Our custom fabricators have built dozens of barn doors for our customers. They are an invaluable resource to consult for your own project, whether you plan to do it yourself or have us build it for you.
Farmhouse Table
The humble farmhouse table is an American tradition dating back to colonial times. Rough-hewn and air dried, it served as a work table as well as a family gathering place for the rural, informal lifestyle. The country life is coming back to the city again, as more and more people are choosing this style of table over the highly polished formal dining table.
After conquering the sliding barn door, building a farmhouse table is a great project for the brave DIY weekend warrior. The key idea to remember when designing a table is that wood expands and contracts seasonally. Accounting for this movement is crucial to building a table that will not split, warp, or cup. This free plan from Ana White will help get you started.
At Eco Relics, our woodworkers are well schooled in the traditional building techniques of farmhouse tables. Whether you are building your own or looking to have us build one for you, Eco Relics’ woodworkers are your best consultants.
Salvaged Door Into Table
(Project details by staff writer David Podris) We had a nice 5 panel door leftover from our remodel (a two year odyssey) that seemed like a good candidate for a table top. All I would need to do is make legs. We decided on floor seating and my mom made cushions for us over the winter holidays. Now here it is February and I finally got around to building the thing.
Let me offer a disclaimer. I am not a fabricator at Eco Relics. Doug, Kris, and Billy build the custom projects for Eco Relics. My work is not up to their level. Not by a long shot. I am just a weekend DIYer who loves to hoard scrap for the next project. The objective here is just to generate some ideas about what can be done with scrap. Read More Here…
DIY Sash Window Restoration
Many historic buildings around the world are constructed with double hung sash windows. Unfortunately, many of these historic windows are lost to rot and replaced with inferior alternatives. Don’t let this happen to you! This simple maintenance procedure will return your windows to their rightful glory both aesthetically and functionally for decades to come.
Before getting started, it is important to test your windows for lead paint. Inexpensive self-test kits are available at your local paint store. If you discover lead paint, it might be necessary to initiate an abatement process with a certified technician. Also, local codes may dictate that you must consult your city’s historic preservation commission before preforming the maintenance procedures outlined here. Read More Here…
*This article has been revised since being originally published Nov 8, 2016.
By repurposing old relics you’re making an ecological impact by keeping these items out of the landfill. Be eco-friendly & get your building materials from Eco Relics.
Contact our Master Craftsmen (info@ecorelics.com) Or stop by at 106 Stockton St. Jax, FL 32204. Open 7 days a week Mon-Fri 9-5:30, Sat 9-6, and Sun 12-5
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When we first started out with the concept of Eco Relics, we expected to mainly carry salvage lumber. We do have aisles and aisles of salvage building materials. Much more unexpectedly, however, is our collection of antique lighting, antique light bulbs, and other relics that have come along. We have been so surprised at the turn of events of bringing…
Woodworking with reclaimed and salvaged lumber is a great way to lend some authentic Americana to a DIY project. “Weathered” is not a look that is easily faked. When done wrong, it just looks terrible. On the other hand, genuine patina not only adds aesthetic value to a piece, it can also provide a protective covering to material that might otherwise…