Is Reclaimed Wood More Durable Than New Wood?

An image comprising four photographs showing the origins of reclaimed wood on the left and new wood on the right. Top left is a set of reclaimed wood boards, bottom left is an old wooden barn that reclaimed wood could be sourced from. Top right is a photo of stacks of new lumber, bottom right is a stack of freshly cut lumber that has just been felled and cut into logs with the bark still on the tree trunks.Across the top are the words, "Is Reclaimed Wood More Durable Than New Wood?" at the bottom are the words, "reclaimed wood vs New wood."

As people become more aware of their environmental impact, they start looking for the most sustainable and environmentally friendly building materials to use for their homes.

Reclaimed wood is one of the most sustainable building materials you can find, but is reclaimed wood more durable than new wood, and is it durable enough? How does it compare to new wood?

Reclaimed wood is more durable than new wood because it has had more time to lose moisture gradually. Moreover, reclaimed wood comes from older trees, while new wood comes from first-generation trees that are softer. Janka tests show that reclaimed wood is harder than new wood by up to 40 points.

In the rest of this article I’ll explain in more detail how durable and strong reclaimed wood is and how it compares to new wood. I’ll also show you some additional benefits of choosing reclaimed wood and give you some tips on how to choose the best materials for your home.

How Durable Is Reclaimed Wood?

A photograph of a dark brown plank of reclaimed wood with prominent grain pattern and signs of wear and tear. A large hammer logo is superimposed on top of the photo with an enclosing circle and the word "durable".
Reclaimed wood is often more durable than new wood thanks to its increased hardness from old growth trees and having been well-seasoned over the years.

Reclaimed wood is old wood that is reused or repurposed in new ways. This material can be anywhere from just a few years to decades or even centuries old, and it is often used for furniture, floors, stairs, and other structures. Reclaimed wood is becoming increasingly popular, and not only because it is a very sustainable option.

Old wood is generally much harder and more durable than new wood, for several reasons.

First of all, wood takes a long time to lose moisture completely, a process that increases the strength and durability of the material.

New wood still has a considerable amount of moisture in its fibers, which may weaken its structure. On the other hand, old wood has had decades to cure completely and become more durable in the process.

It’s important to remember that not all types of wood get stronger as they age; at some point, very old wood can become much more brittle than new wood. However, when wood gets to this stage, it cannot be repurposed for anything. The reclaimed wood you can source from reputable salvage companies has passed the test of time and you can be sure that it will be much more durable.

Another important reason why reclaimed wood can be much more durable is that older wood may come from old-growth trees, unlike new wood which generally comes from first-generation trees. In the past, when deforestation was not at a critical point, people often cut down much older trees for wood. These trees could have been centuries old, and they provided much stronger material.

Nowadays, it’s forbidden by law to cut down such trees, and for good reason; because of the practices in the past, there aren’t many century-old trees left. However, this means that new wood comes from relatively young trees, which provide a softer and more vulnerable material.

Reclaimed Wood vs. New Wood Hardness

A collage of four photographs shows reclaimed wood and new wood in the top left and top right respectively, with labels marking them as reclaimed or new wood. Below each of those photos is a further photo of the source of each type of wood. An old barn is shown on the left, below the reclaimed wood example, and on the bottom right is a stack of freshly-cut timber logs in a forest. In the lower center of the image is a hammer symbol hitting a wooden object.
Reclaimed wood is normally harder than new wood because it is well-seasoned, with a lower moisture content, and usually comes from old-growth trees that have more tightly-packed growth rings, leading to greater hardness and strength.

If you need more reasons to believe that reclaimed wood is stronger and more durable than new wood, you can simply check the Janka scale of certain types of reclaimed wood and compare it to those of new wood. The Janka scale is a test that measures how hard and resistant a certain type of wood is.

According to several tests, reclaimed wood scores higher on the Janka test compared to new wood. Of course, different types of wood will have different scores, but some tests have shown that reclaimed wood scores 40 more points on this test than certain new wood species.

Generally, choosing reclaimed wood for projects in your home will grant more longevity and resistance to physical and chemical pressures. Reclaimed wood can also be more suitable for outdoor projects, since it’s more resistant to water, another crucial quality for durability.

Other Advantages of Reclaimed Wood

A collage of 4 photographs set out in each quadrant of the image, each shows adifferent type of reclaimed wood, ranging from wooden floors to stacks of reclaimed wood planks. In the center of the image is a "thumbs up" icon with a plus symbol alongside.
There are many advantages to reclaimed wood. These include sustainability, and its associated history, which can make an excellent talking point in your home.

In addition to strength and durability, reclaimed wood possesses several other advantages in comparison to new wood. Here are some other reasons why you need to consider reclaimed wood for your home:

  • Reclaimed wood is sustainable. As I already explained, reclaimed wood is one of the most sustainable building materials, so you won’t be contributing to harmful practices such as deforestation.
  • Reclaimed wood is unique. Because you’re reusing wood from long ago, you have the opportunity to use types of wood that are no longer available as new wood. Because of deforestation, several species of wood are only available as reclaimed wood.
  • There is a history behind reclaimed wood. Reclaimed wood has a past, which makes it much more interesting, and can give your project more character.
  • Reclaimed wood is very versatile. You can use this material to achieve a cozy rustic look, or create more modern and sleeker styles; there are so many opportunities to explore with reclaimed wood.

What To Keep in Mind When Choosing Reclaimed Wood for Your Home

A photograph of a man assessing a plank of wood. He has a thought bubble coming from his head containing the words, "Reclaimed wood vs new wood?"
The choice is yours on whether to choose reclaimed wood or new wood, but there are key things to keep in mind, including budget, sustainability, and the provenance of the reclaimed wood you are sourcing.

Reclaimed wood is one of the best building materials you can use, but not all types of reclaimed wood are the same. Ensure you deal with companies that operate in ethical ways, and avoid repurposing wood that can be harmful to your health. You should also ensure that the provenance of the material is legitimate, and avoid companies that have lied about the origins of their so-called reclaimed wood.

It may be tempting to simply choose the company that provides the cheapest option – one significant disadvantage of reclaimed wood is the fact that it’s quite expensive. However, the extra money you pay is completely worth it, considering legitimate companies do all the necessary tests and are aware of where the wood is coming from. Their material will be worth the price because it comes with all the advantages mentioned above.

Conclusion – Is Reclaimed Wood More Durable Than New Wood?

Reclaimed wood is one of the best and most environmentally friendly materials. It is old wood that is repurposed for new projects, so it’s sustainable, but it is also more durable than new wood. It’s also unique and very versatile.

However, you need to be careful when choosing the company to provide reclaimed wood for your home. Beware of companies that source the wood in an unethical way, without the necessary testing to make sure the wood is safe to use. Make sure you choose a company that is ethical and thorough.

If you’ve decided to use reclaimed wood in your project, you’ll need to ensure there are no nails or other unwanted elements in your wood. You might find our article about finding and removing nails from reclaimed wood useful.

You might also be wondering whether your wood has previously been pressure-treated. If that’s the case, you should read our article all about how to tell if reclaimed wood is pressure-treated.

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